making tinctures (was remineralizing teeth)

[Guest guest]

On Wed, 27 Mar 2002 06:57:45 -0500 " Larry Lyles " <freedom@...>

writes:

Bianca,

Where can we find directions for making these industrial herbal

tinctures?

Thanks

++++Hi Larry,

As you can see I'm way behind in answering posts so I apologize for being

so late. Here is a method I gleaned from another herbalist with my

comments mixed in.

1. Make sure you have the freshest herbs possible. There are a couple of

really good sources here in the states. You may also be able to find

someone in your area who knows how to recognize and pick fresh herbs. You

would be surprised at what might be growing in your own yard that you

thought were weeds :-)

2. Put them into a Vitamix or heavy duty blender according to the formula

you are making and add 80 to 100 proof vodka, just enough to barely cover

the herbs. Resinous herbs require Everclear (pure grain alcohol) instead

of vodka.

3. take your herbal sauce and pour into a jar and let it steep for a

*minimum* of two weeks up to many many months.

Put a lid on the jar and shake several times a day. Best to do the

tinctures like some farmers plant and harvest their crops, by the phases

of the moon. So if you can start on a new moon let it sit for 14 days

until the full moon. After the steeping is done press through some

cheesecloth into a bowl, and then transfer into dark bottles and store in

the dark.

Some additional thoughts:

-some constituents of herbs may or may not come out in herb tea, which is

why alcohol is used. If that is a problem you can put the tincture in a

cup and pout boiling water over it and the alcohol will dissipate.

-you can extract herbs in oil as well, which is good when you want a more

soothing (but less powerful) skin formula or you are extracting an oil

(like peppermint).

- " Schulze says that Dr. , and he, found that tinctures were

stronger when made this way...you could smell the tincture not pressed on

the full moon and they weren't as strong. It makes sense because planting

crops is done with the phases of the moon. And different crops are

harvested according to the moon. The tides change with the moon. So why

would herbs not be affected by something that strong? "

I'm not a farmer and can't testify to the efficacy of following the

phases of the moon for planting crops, but I can tell you from my

personal experience that the tinctures are stronger when prepared this

way.

You can also take a fresh batch of herbs, pour your new tincture over

them as if the tincture was alcohol, and steep for several more weeks.

Now you have a super powerful tincture. This is how I do most of my

formulas. Sometimes I will repeat the process a third and fourth time.

Some formulas I will let steep for years using it only as needed.

You can also you a press to strain your herbs (instead of just

cheesecloth) which makes them even more powerful.

And last, you will find nothing like this on the market, no matter what

the claim. If you don't believe me, compare your own product with

anything you buy at retail. A simple taste and smell taste will prove the

point. For example, if echinacea tincture doesn't numb you mouth, it is

useless and watered down and won't do you any good. If you are serious

about herbs and your health, make your own tinctures.

Hope this helps,

Bianca