Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks

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Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« on: April 13, 2006, 06:17:15 PM » by healthybratt

I've made infustions and teas. And many of you on this forum swear by your tinctures. I was hoping you'd be willing to share your recipes, instructions and tips for making tinctures. I'd also like to know what you think about using Vodka as opposed to glycerine for tincture - pros and cons.

I thought, personally that alcohol would be a better medium because of it's ability to keep bacteria and other such organisms from growing in your tincture over time. I made a tincture of garlic and glycerine once - I was not pleased with the result and I'm pretty sure it spoiled. Tongue

NOTE: I'd be especially interested in the garlic, onion and ginger tinctures for the immediate (or a quick way to improvise). Baby #3 has a fever and I'm sure there will be other symptoms to follow soon.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2006, 07:05:17 PM » by petrimama

To be honest, I think I may have gotten my best instructions on tinctures from bulkherbstore.com. (If it's not there tell me and I'll find the right site for you.) I also spoke to a knowledgeable friend and I guess people can make things pretty complicated but for a beginner like me, there seems like enough info on the site. I also am only using vodka, but as I said I am a beginner and I'm focusing on simplicity. I always have vodka in the house, so that was easiest for me. (Don't get the wrong idea! I keep it in the pantry because my husband loves penne a la vodka!) ~L

« Last Edit: April 13, 2006, 08:18:45 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2006, 08:04:53 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: petrimama on April 13, 2006, 07:05:17 PM

...no wrong ideas here. we usually have vodka sitting around as well. Wink

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2006, 11:10:32 PM » by healthybratt

Anyone have any good dosing info on their favorite tinctures?

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2006, 11:57:11 PM » by Gabriel Anast

If you are really into making tinctures and want some really high powered ones... get a tincture press.

They make short work of the extraction process.

Here is a great press that I highly recommend:

http://www.mathrespresses.com/HerbalTincturePress.htm

Tincture making info and links here:

Tincture Tips

...the following links are also on the above page...

Why Make Tinctures and How To Make Your Own Tinctures
Tincture Recipes
Herbal Remedies From Wild Plants
Herbal Preparation

--gabe

PS: not sure about the Garlic and Onion in a tincture... but topically it will do great. I think the ginger is elsewhere on the forum... but its not difficult!

What I do is just crush fresh ginger root chunks through a garlic press and mix the juice with vegetable glycerine. That's all!

« Last Edit: April 14, 2006, 11:35:32 AM by Gabriel Anast »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2006, 11:19:19 AM » by healthybratt

My husband says that everclear is much cheaper than vodka. Can I use this for making tincture? He suggested we reduce the acohol % by adding the appropriate amount of water.

« Last Edit: April 14, 2006, 11:27:33 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2006, 11:54:40 AM » by Gabriel Anast

This is a very interesting thread... I have honestly never heard of an onion garlic tincture before, but I will definitely have to try that recipe!

Quote from: dara on April 14, 2006, 11:41:03 AM

I don't know what everclear is , but you can reduce the amount of alcohol by adding part vodka, and part apple cider vinegar (I use organic for tinctures).

As far as Everclear (pure grain alcohol) is concerned, you just have to do the math. Most Vodka is 80 proof, some is 100 which means 40% or 50% alcohol. Everclear, or pure grain alcohol is often 180 proof which means 90% alcohol. Mix everclear and water in equal parts and you now have 45% alcohol... pretty close to what most tincture recipes recomend.

Apple Cider Vinegar is in interesting idea too... do you have a book or a link that talks about how to use that in a tincture? Presumably for preserving not for extraction right?

--gabe

« Last Edit: April 14, 2006, 11:35:02 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2006, 12:22:44 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on April 14, 2006, 11:54:40 AM

As far as Everclear (pure grain alcohol)

That's pretty much what hubby suggested and that definately would be cheaper! Thanks for your input.

Quote from: Gabriel Anast on April 14, 2006, 11:54:40 AM

Apple Cider Vinegar is in interesting idea too

I use apple cider vinegar to make my hair rinse. I think you will get the results closer to an infusion because the vinegar is not as effective at drawing the oils from the herbs. I do like it though, as the vinegar is good for the skin, scalp and hair. I use a pint jar or large pickle jar and fill it with 1 cup of herbs and 2 + cups of vinegar. Then I dilute it with water (about 1 T to 1 Cup of water) for my hair. I let it set for 2 weeks and get very good results; however, I've never done this with a concoction that I meant to ingest.

Another up side to vinegar is it's antifungal properties.

« Last Edit: April 14, 2006, 11:40:14 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2006, 01:09:56 AM » by healthybratt

Looky what I found Shocked

(oil infusion in red)

Quote

from MakeYourOwnCosmetics.com

How do I make an herbal infusion?
If you don't have herbs on hand, you can substitute plain oil or water in the same amount called for in the recipe. You can also purchase herbal infusions already made. To make an herbal water infusion, place the herbs called for in the recipe into a stainless steel saucepan. Pour water over the herbs, just covering them completely. Do not pack the herbs. Place the saucepan over a low flame and allow the water to come to a very slight boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat source and cover the water and herbs with a lid that prevents the steam from escaping. Allow to steep for a minimum of 20 minutes, longer for a stronger infusion. Use a cheese cloth or other strainer to strain the herbs from the water. Discard the spent herbs and use the infused water for your cosmetics.

To make an oil-based infusion, follow the directions above, substituting oil for the water, and DO NOT BOIL THE OIL. Instead, heat it and the herbs over the lowest flame possible for about an hour. Strain as indicated above and use the herb infused oil to make your cosmetics. Before making an oil infusion using fresh herbs, wash the herbs first to remove dirt, and then allow them to wilt dry overnight. Use the wilted herbs to make the oil-based infusion as outlined above. Unused infusions should be stored in the refrigerator between uses.

« Last Edit: April 15, 2006, 01:12:15 AM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2006, 05:01:58 PM » by healthybratt

I am going to make a ginger root tincture today Shocked

, but I don't have a food scale or anything that weighs oz or grams. I'm using fresh roots. I'll probably shred them with my food processor (if the darn strings don't get in the way Roll Eyes

)

Anyone have any sure fire ways of cheating the scales and getting the measurements I want?

« Last Edit: April 15, 2006, 05:05:25 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2006, 12:48:18 PM » by dara

Okay, for all you serious researchers, here is just a little info on vinegar as a solvent. For more thorough, interesting information, see the book it is exerted from: “The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook, a Home Manuel” by James Green, Herbalist.

“Vinegar…has valuable properties as a solvent as well as a preservative. As a solvent it provides a service that aids in the fixing and extraction of certain alkaloids and other water-soluble plant components, and can be substituted for alcohol in the preparation of extracts, although this is not a common practice today….Vinegar’s action as a preservative is considered to be excellent, though inferior to dilute alcohol, and for this reason pure vinegar preparations are said to be more liable to change than tinctures. In certain custom-prepared [extracts], vinegar is commonly added as 5-10 percent of an alcohol based [extraction] to adjust the pH when that is advantageous (i.e. for making extracts of Lobelia, Black Walnut, Goldenseal, etc…).

I haven’t had a chance to really study the book, but it is one of the several that I am reviewing this summer. James even has recipes for ‘herbal Jell-O’s’, “for parents, grumps, and wee ones”. He is a bit new-agey; he reminds me of a male Rosemary Gladstar.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2006, 09:41:02 AM » by petrimama

This may sound weird, but is there any reason to not apply a vodka-based tincture topically? (Aside from maybe smelling like a lush?) The reason I ask is that certain herbs I like can be used as topical or oral tinctures and I would prefer to only make one type to avoid extra work and potential confusion if hubby treats himself. Would it be better to use vinegar for all of them? I just like vodka because it lasts forever. ~L

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2006, 11:06:01 AM » by Gabriel Anast

I don't think there are any reasons not to unless the drying properties of alcohol would irritate the skin in question... also remember that animal glycerine is wonderful for skin... I would presume vegetable based glycerine would be as well.

In the general case, however, I think it would not matter one way or another.

I am not sure why I did not post this link earlier in this thread... BUT...

This guy is the master tincture maker... I mean, following this guys recipes, and using his presses is THE WAY to make first class tincture in my opinion:

Rich Gulch Products

It might seem expensive to buy a $125 press for making tinctures... but... wow. It is soooo worth it. Your tinctures will be two to five times stronger than they were before, and you can make them in 15 minutes whereas it used to take three days or so.

--gabe

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2006, 02:22:45 PM » by petrimama

Thanks.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #14 on: May 11, 2006, 04:04:41 PM » by Rachel Weaver

Tinctures:
To tincture garlic, onions and ginger you can chop up your "veggies" coarsely and layer them in a jar. Use equal parts for an anti-biotic type of formula. We add some cayenne and horseradish for extra strength and circulation. Not necessary though. Then cover with raw apple cider vinegar and leave about two inches of cider vinegar above the herbs. Put a lid on your jar and shake daily for two weeks. You can use it before but at two weeks strain and bottle in dark jar. This will keep for at least a year and we find that it does great things for any virus and strep and bacteria or fungus that you can get.

Dose: 1/4 tsp. for baby 1/2 for toddlers to 4 1 tsp. 5-12 and up to a TBL for adults.
You can take this only 3 or 4 times daily but if you really want to knock something takeit every hour or two along with an echinecea tincture. Use glycerine for the babies and alchol for the older ones. Take that often too.

Make your own! Chop up your own whole echinecea plant and root if you can. Use the flower and seed head too. Fill a qt. jar 2/3 full of chopped fresh plant and then cover with vodka or glycerine. If you use glycerine mix it 25% boiling water and 75% glycerine before covering your herb. Let set for two weeks shaking daily. Strain and bottle in a dark bottle and use!!

Isn't it wonderful that we can grow our own medicines. We have not had to use a dr. for years for colds flu and fever. This does it. But get it right away and be aggressive.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #15 on: June 20, 2006, 12:22:03 PM » by MotherOfBlessings

I started making my own tincture about 5 years ago. At first use recipes from NGJ (A BIG thanks to Debi P!). Once she gave a recipe for "Mama's Raspberry Tea". I mixed up a big batch of the herbs and tried to drink the tea. It is OK to my taste but I keep forgetting to drink it. I was pg at the time and I have just weaned my dd. However, my body is telling me I need some...umm...female correction.

Can I make this into a tincture? Are teas and tinctures interchangeable? I have done some research but most recipes tell you to do one or the other.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #16 on: June 20, 2006, 02:19:59 PM » by healthybratt

Quote from: colefam on June 20, 2006, 12:22:03 PM

Can I make this into a tincture? Are teas and tinctures interchangeable? I have done some research but most recipes tell you to do one or the other.

Quote

How is Raspberry leaf taken?

Raspberry leaf can be taken in tablet form, teabags, loose leaf tea, or as a tincture. Raspberry leaf can be purchased from many health food stores or from a health care practitioner. Due to the limited research on raspberry leaf - the ideal preparation and the ideal dosage is not known at this stage.

The following guidelines on consuming raspberry leaf during pregnancy have been taken from Parsons (1999):


Tablets - Take two 300mg or 400mg tablets with each meal (three times a day) from 32 weeks.


Teabags - 1st trimester- one cup per day -2nd trimester - two cups per day -3rd trimester - up to 4 to 5 teabag cups throughout the day.


Loose leaf tea - Bring one cup of water to the boil. Remove from heat and add one teaspoon of the herb. Stir, cover and let sit for ten minutes (do not boil the herb), strain and sip. Adding sugar or honey many improve the taste. 2 to 3 cups per day is often recommended especially after 28 weeks of pregnancy.


Tincture - A tincture is an alcoholic extract of the herb raspberry leaf. The dosage will depend on the strength of the tincture...from[/size]

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #17 on: August 24, 2006, 07:06:22 PM » by natural

I need to make a tincture to save my dad some money. He was going to have me order two bottles ($22 ea.)of the ready-made tincture, but he has some powder from the same guy (Dr. Richard Schultze) The powder is very potent (250,000 plus heat units)

Has anyone ever made a tincture from a powder? How would I go about doing it? My dad says he did not want to take cayenne in capsule form, he said he thinks it would be too concentrated in his stomach.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #18 on: August 24, 2006, 09:11:25 PM » by natural

bump

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4 yo Maciah: Mamma I am scared the wind is howling.
Me: Go to sleep Jesus will protect you.
4 yo Maciah: (stretching his chin to chest) But, but I can't see Jesus my head can't reach into my heart.

Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #19 on: August 25, 2006, 10:34:33 AM » by natural

Quote from: natural on August 24, 2006, 07:06:22 PM

BUMP ...

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4 yo Maciah: Mamma I am scared the wind is howling.
Me: Go to sleep Jesus will protect you.
4 yo Maciah: (stretching his chin to chest) But, but I can't see Jesus my head can't reach into my heart.

Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #20 on: August 25, 2006, 11:14:25 AM » by dara

I have only made pepper tinctures from fresh and dried whole peppers, sorry.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #21 on: August 25, 2006, 11:15:23 AM » by dara

I just made an elderberry glycerite in the crockpot on warm for 2 days, and it's not very purple. Should I just leave the berries in it for a few weeks?

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #22 on: August 25, 2006, 02:21:55 PM » by healthybratt

I've only used dried herbs and whole ingredients but I wouldn't think it would work any different. You might want to use less as it will be packed tighter and you'll need an extra fine strainer (a coffee filter or an old Tshirt might work) unless he wants to drink the pepper with the vodka. Either way, I think it's going to be hot hot hot. He might actually just consider drinking it the way you do for the Master Cleanse. It might go down a bit easier and it would definately taste better than a tincture. Tincture would be easier to assimilate but I have one made from peppers, garlic, ginger and onions and it's really hard to drink - BLUCK. Tongue

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #23 on: August 25, 2006, 03:01:57 PM » by dara

Dr. Schultz sure loves his hot peppers! He puts them in "everything". It must help; I've only heard good things of his remedies.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #24 on: September 29, 2006, 07:31:40 AM » by sarahmontgomery

Hi,
I was reading about making tinctures on bulkherbstore, and they talked about using half glycerin and half alcohol based tinctures for children. Can you tell me how to mix it? Would I use the same measurements as far as making both tinctures? Then put half and half in my dosage? I have a two year old and I am not sure about the dosage. I am wanting to make the immune builder for winter. Whats your recipe for adults and children?

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #25 on: September 29, 2006, 09:01:37 AM » by Maria/NHM

I've been wondering the same thing. it would be easier to make it all at once somehow rather than mixing them after they were made. Anyone know?

« Last Edit: July 23, 2007, 10:32:16 AM by tjmjfamily »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #26 on: September 29, 2006, 09:10:51 AM » by mexmarr

I started a thread several months ago asking the same question. I will try to look up for you. I can't remember the title off the top of my head.

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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #27 on: September 29, 2006, 09:17:56 AM » by mexmarr

Here are the links. I hope this helps!

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1043.0.html

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1144.0.html

http://www.welltellme.com/discuss/index.php/topic,1144.0.html

« Last Edit: February 08, 2009, 03:28:16 PM by healthybratt »
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Re: Making Tinctures: Recipes, Tips & Tricks
« Reply #28 on: September 29, 2006, 09:24:39 AM » by Maria/NHM

Thanks!

« Last Edit: July 23, 2007, 10:28:51 AM by tjmjfamily »
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cayenne tincture...we have used for a couple years now...
« Reply #29 on: October 02, 2006, 09:11:34 AM » by jammy

Making Tinctures -An Example with Cayenne Tincture

NOTE: To make other Herbal Tinctures by the following Dr. Schulze Method, just substitute the Herb(s) for Cayenne Pepper.

Start to make this and ANY Tincture, if possible, on a NEW Moon.

Take a Quart Canning Jar and fill it 1/4 FULL with DRIED Cayenne Peppers, getting the HOTTEST ones (i.e. - Habanero, African Bird, Serrano, Jalapeno - 90,000+ Heat Units), that you can obtain.

Add enough 50% Grain Alcohol (100 Proof Vodka) to the Cayenne Peppers (powdered, using a Blender or Grinder) to just COVER them.

Use enough FRESH Cayenne Peppers, that you can blend with 50% Grain Alcohol (100 Proof Vodka) to turn the Mixture into an Apple Sauce-Like Consistency.

Add this Mixture to the 1st Mixture, filling up the Canning Jar 3/4 FULL.

Fill up the rest of the Canning Jar with MORE 50% Grain Alcohol (100 Proof Vodka).

Shake it as MANY times as possible, during the Day.

Let this Mixture SIT, until the following FULL Moon (15-16 Days), but OPTIMALLY until the following NEW Moon (28-29 Days)!

Strain this Mixture through an UNBLEACHED Coffee Filter.

Bottle the RESULTING Tincture.

NOTE:

Part EQUALS Volume, NOT Weight in this Tincture Method. If using 95% Alcohol (190 Proof), then DILUTE in half with Distilled Water. Modify this procedure by using DRIED Herbs ONLY, if FRESH Herbs are NOT AVAILABLE, and when making other Herbal Tinctures also.

Also if you want to make a SUPER-POTENT Tincture (i.e. - Cayenne Pepper & Lobelia Seed Pod), then allow the Mixture to sit for a FULL 3 Months!

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