hello all! i was wondering if anyone else out there is making tinctures and could help me out with a few questions i have? i have just began fiddling around with tincture making. silly me decided to try a white willow bark tincture that has been giving me a few problems (not to mention the man of the house can't keep his hands off my tincture vodka!) so! needless to say, i only had one ounce of alcohol to work with when doing my willow bark. and it bothers me to see that the herbs are sticking to the sides of my jar and not submerged in the alcohol! it has turned a pretty red color though!

so if anyone has any helpful hints i would be very grateful! and i would love to learn along with anyone else who is thinking of trying their hand at tincture making! it really is fun (to me at least )

my goal is to have a cabinet full of jars of herbs and have a whole apothecary of herbal medicines!

blessed be!
RayvenneStar

Hi there RayvenneStar, from all that I have read thus far, and my own experience, usually it's a 1:5 ratio for dried herb, and a 1:1 ratio for fresh, but I think it depends on the herb.  I'm tincturing Rosemary, and I put about 1/4 cup dried Rosemary to about 2 cups 40% Vodka.  As long as the herb is submerged you shouldn't get any spoilage. Hope that helps a wee bit.        Cheers!

Hi RayvenneStar!
I LOVE making herbal products.  When making tinctures, I prefer what is called the simplers method.  This means that you fill your container with the herb and then pour your alcohol until it is about an inch or two above the herb.  I do the same thing when making herbal oils too.  I use this method with both fresh and dried herbs.  Two books I recommend are The Family Herbal by Rosemary Gladstar and The Herbal Medicine Makers Guide by James Green.  Both are fabulous references for making herbal products.  Happy tincturing!!

thanks for the info! mystical river, i will definately be looking for those books! sorry i have been silent for so long but we've been having technical difficulties with our computer lately, lol! so once the holiday season is over hopefully things will mellow out and i can get back on track!

great topic. maybe Lady E will pop in and direct us to other tincture instructions hidden in the castle - i know they're around here somewhere!

about a month ago we got into a great discussion on how to make infusions with your crockpot. may have to check back through my last posts lists to uncover that one, i think it was the forum about using a Vick's plant (which yielded a very mild homemade vicks, i'm very proud to say

let us know how your trials turn out rayvennestar!

— RealEyez_the_Phoenix wrote

great topic. maybe Lady E will pop in and direct us to other tincture instructions hidden in the castle - i know they're around here somewhere!

about a month ago we got into a great discussion on how to make infusions with your crockpot. may have to check back through my last posts lists to uncover that one, i think it was the forum about using a Vick's plant (which yielded a very mild homemade vicks, i'm very proud to say

let us know how your trials turn out rayvennestar!

Hi RealEyez,

You can use our "Search" feature on the sidebar to the left to find all sorts of things in castle... I am pleased that the Vicks plant ointment turned out well for you!

thanks! want some?

May I also recommend any of Susun Weed's books.  They are all very informative.  Cheers!

Hear, hear MonnWater!  When it comes to herbal medicines Susun Weed is the best in my opinion.  

Rayvennestar, definitely look into Susun's website and if you can buy her books.  I am a devoted follower and her advice has NEVER steered me wrong.  I trust her more than my doctor, and she literally healed me, body and soul, after chemotherapy.

Good luck and let us know how your tinctures work out.  I made some lovely chickweed tincture I use through the winter, as well as cronewort vinegar and dandelion vinegar - so yummy on salads!

i will look her up right now! (gotta love the internet for quick info, lol!)

as of yet i have only made a white willow bark tincture...i have to say, pretty tasty if you add it to hot water, and very sweet smelling.

i haven't died yet, lol!