Tinturas

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Revision as of 19:48, 19 March 2016 by Klau (talk | contribs)

http://mountainroseblog.com/guide-tinctures-extracts/

Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that have alcohol as the solvent. If you are using water, vinegar, glycerine, or any menstruum (solvent) other than alcohol, your preparation is an extract – not a tincture. Although, there are exceptions to every rule and sometimes an acetum is defined as "a vinegar tincture" in the tomes.


Herbal Tinctures…

  • Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts.
  • Alcohol is the solvent. You can use any spirit you like, but I prefer something neutral like vodka so I can taste the herb.
  • They can be taken straight by the dropper or diluted in tea.
  • They can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, roots, barks, or berries.

How much plant material to use?

Fresh Herbal Material: Leaves & Flowers

  • Finely chop or grind clean herb to release juice and expose surface area.
  • Only fill the jar 2/3 to 3/4 with herb.
  • Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!
  • Jar should appear full of herb, but herb should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herbal Material: Leaves & Flowers

  • Use finely cut herbal material.
  • Only fill the jar 1/2 to 3/4 with herb.
  • Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!

Fresh Herbal Material: Roots, Barks, Berries

  • Finely chop or grind clean plants to release juice and expose surface area.
  • Only fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 with fresh roots, barks, or berries.
  • Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!
  • Jar should appear full of herb, but herb should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herbal Material: Roots, Barks, Berries

  • Use finely cut herbal material.
  • Only fill the jar 1/4 to 1/3 with dried roots, barks, or berries.
  • Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!
  • Roots and berries will expand by ½ their size when reconstituted!

Alcohol Percentages

40% – 50% (80-90 proof vodka)

  • "Standard" percentage range for tinctures.
  • Good for most dried herbs and fresh herbs that are not super juicy.
  • Good for extraction of water soluble properties.

67.5% – 70% (½ 80 proof vodka + ½ 190 proof grain alcohol)

  • Extracts the most volatile aromatic properties.
  • Good for fresh high-moisture herbs like lemon balm, berries, and aromatic roots.
  • The higher alcohol percentage will draw out more of the plant juices.

85% – 95% (190 proof grain alcohol)

  • Good for dissolving gums and resins – but not necessary for most plant material.
  • Extracts the aromatics and essential oils bound in a plant that do not dissipate easily.
  • The alcohol strength can produce a tincture that is not easy to take. Stronger is not always better!
  • Often used for drop dosage medicines.
  • Will totally dehydrate herbs.