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Herbal Remedies - Tinctures

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Simple to make, tinctures are one of the most popular ways to use herbs

The most popular form of herbal medication is herbal tinctures or liquid herbs. Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of herbs. They're made by aging an herb in alcohol or apple cider vinegar which results in a remedy easily absorbed and used by the body.

Tinctures are popular in part because they are easy to make and have a prolonged shelf life. Of course you can buy herbal tinctures easily enough, but they're simple to make as well. Some combination tinctures can be found, but usually only single herbs are available in this form.

When herbs are aged in alcohol, the kind used for human consumption is used, not rubbing alcohol. Brandy, vodka, or gin are preferred because each can be purchased as 100 proof. My personal preference is vodka -- the Swedish variety.

Herbal Medicine Making Kit

Home Remedy Secrets: Tinctures

Herbal Tincture Ingredients

Some people don't like the idea of making herbal tinctures with alcohol if they plan to use the remedies on children and infants, so apple cider vinegar can be used instead; however, herbal tinctures made with alcohol are considered stronger because the alcohol extracts more of the herb's properties than the vinegar does.

Some people prefer only fresh herbs, but you can use fresh, dried, or powdered herbs to create tinctures. You can use single herbs, or create a custom mixture based on your needs. With fresh herbs you want to fill up the jar and pour the alcohol into it making sure the herbs are completely immersed.

How To Make Herbal Medicine

Herbal Tincture Ingredients

If you use dried herbs, you'll need about eight ounces of herb per pint of liquid. If you mix two or more herbs together of course, you'll want to measure the combined herbs, not add 4-8 ounces of each.

Mix the herbs and liquid in a clean glass container. To keep things simple, you can buy your vinegar or alcohol in pint bottles and put the herb into that bottle. Keep the bottle in a warm dark place. Shake the bottle at least twice a day for 2-6 weeks. The longer, the better.

Containers and Supplies For Herbal Remedies

Preparing Your Herbal Tincture

To reiterate, keep the lid on your tincture bottle tightly closed, in a cool, dark place for 2-6 weeks. When you're ready to use the tincture, take a cheesecloth and spread it over the mouth of another clean jar. This is the jar you are going to use to store your tincture long-term. Pour the tincture and herbs over the cheesecloth so that the bits of herbs are strained out, but the liquid runs through and into the capture jar. The lid on this jar should also be tight fitting. Close the lid, then label and date the jar. This is your herbal tincture.

Bulk Dried Herbs

What are your favorite herbal remedies?

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GrammaLinda Oct 30, 2010 @ 12:24 am | delete

I am glad to know that apple cider vinegar can be used for tinctures. Thanks for the information!