Tincture too strong?

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Tincture too strong?
« on: July 21, 2009, 09:11:55 PM » by delldenise

I went out on a limb and made a tincture at home based on one that I buy from Trilight Herbs called Scout Out. It turned out VERY STRONG tasting and smelling - not sweet and mildly bitter like theirs. I was hoping to hear from an herbalist on whether too much concentration would actually make you sick? Here is a list of the herbs that I used (in large quantity) with the vegetable glycerine to make the tincture:

Echinacea Purpurea Tops and root, nettle, peppermint, elderberry, ginseng, rose hips, goldenseal root, st. john's wort, mullein, yellow dock root, red clover, honeysuckle flowers, myrhh, yucca root.

I heated it in my crockpot for 48 hours instead of 72 because it was so strong already. Is this still safe to use??

Another question: If it IS safe, can anyone tell me how to tone it down and sweet it a little so that my kids will take it?

Thanks so much! Denise in GA

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2009, 10:08:15 PM » by Kitty

I'm new to making glycerine tinctures myself, but couldn't you dilute it w/ more gylcerine? Did you use any hot water on the herbs before adding glycerine or is it pure glycerine?

Paging Mrs. B.... Wink

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2009, 07:29:53 AM » by Mrs. B

Denise...
My guess would be that some of the herbs in this blend are very well suited to a glycerin extraction, while others tend to do better with alcohol.
There was a recent discussion on myrrh tinctures in particular:

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,24305.msg233734.html#msg233734

I would also consider the yellow dock and yucca as well as they also tend to do better with alcohol extractions.
Glycerin best extracts herbs with high tannin levels, but it will not mix with resins (like myrrh) or oily herbs.
These are the things I would troubleshoot:
...did you use a food grade, vegetable glycerin
...was the glycerin sweet to start with
...did you dilute the glycerin before tincturing

This tincture may or may not be okay to use... I say this based upon the lack of extraction of the more volatile substances. You are most likely not getting the full effects of the herbs. Also yellow dock is a very bitter herb and this along with some of the others on your list could be leading to the taste.
I hate to say to not use it, but I honestly don't know the possibilities of what was extracted. Personally... if it were me... I would try it out on myself for several days before giving it to my children just to make sure. Next time I would make an alcohol and a glycerin tincture and then combine them.

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #3 on: July 22, 2009, 07:34:12 AM » by Mrs. B

Also... (sorry the page jumping around was getting to me as I typed)
I would also consider the fact that that your herbs might be fresher than what you get in store bought tinctures, or that your blend might be a bit different. You have some pretty strong herbs in this blend that are known for their taste (as in bad).
I would dilute if needed or give it with a spoon of honey.

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #4 on: July 22, 2009, 04:58:05 PM » by delldenise

Thanks Mrs. B...I was hoping that at least the echincea and goldenseal would extract properly....the other stuff was optional but good so I threw it in. I have a fever right now that has persisted for 24 hours without breaking despite taking the tincture every two hours in the day time. That's why I'm concerned if it is working...any other thoughts?

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #5 on: July 22, 2009, 05:37:10 PM » by Kitty

This doesn't strike me as a fever-reducing formula...aside from Echinacea and Golden Seal...the mint. Maybe. Huh

Would the glycerin/hot water have pulled those properties out enough? http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,24239.msg234030.html#msg234030

Fenugreek, Garlic, Catnip, Thyme, Feverfew, Boneset, Chamomile, Raspberry, and Yarrow...would be good fever-reducers.

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #6 on: July 22, 2009, 06:45:30 PM » by floydian

Stevia is a great sweetener, is very safe, and won't hurt your body while it's trying to heal.

Egg whites can also help reduce fever.

Now, if your fever is over 104, you probably want to bring it down, but if it's under that, why not just allow the fever to do it's job?

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #7 on: July 22, 2009, 08:18:47 PM » by delldenise

Well, I guess I should have offered more info...It's not really the fever that I'm concerned about, I'm thinking that it is due to a bacterial infection possibly in my sinuses. The infection is what I was trying to address. What else fights infection besides goldenseal and garlic? (I don't have either one of these things on hand.)

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2009, 10:45:24 PM » by Kitty

Herbal antibiotics? I think there's a thread on them.

Echinacea, Thyme, Oregano, Elderberry, Elecampane, Poke (very controversial), St. John's wort, Calendula, Ginger, Cayenne, Neem, Peppermint, Aloe vera...

Lemon balm is anti-viral.

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2009, 07:48:21 AM » by floydian

You might also snort salt water. Mix some sea salt (or regular salt will do in a pinch) and GENTLY snort it up your nose. If you do it too hard, it's rather painful. Do this several times a day and the salt will help the sinuses dry out.

I tried this with cayenne once. It worked, but I don't recommend this one! Shocked

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Re: Tincture too strong?
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2009, 03:33:45 PM » by Kitty

Antiseptic herbs destroy or prevent the growth of bacteria. Many EOs have these properties, as well as the alcohol in many tinctures. Huge list of those.

More antibiotics:

Black walnut, chaparral, cloves, colloidal silver, gentian, raw honey, hops, juniper berries, lobelia, mullein, myrrh, oregon grape, rosemary and sage.

(Referencing Practical Herbalism here).

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