Making your own herbal preparations

Before modern western medicine, herbs were used to keep us healthy.  If you want to explore these forgotten ways to keep your body strong, you might be interested in making your own custom herbal preparations with organic, wild crafted, or homegrown herbs. They are simple and can be made in your own kitchen.

Tinctures are, in most cases, the preferred method of herbal preparations. They are generally more potent than dry forms of herbs. They are simply concentrates, just like the vanilla extract on your baking shelf. Herbalists love tinctures because they draw out the essential compounds of plants, especially those that are fibrous and woody. They also have a very long shelf life in that they are preserved by the alcohol used for the extraction process.

There are 7 easy steps:

1. Start with a high quality, 80 proof alcohol, such as vodka.
2. Choose and chop your herbs.
3. Put the herbs in a suitable container, preferably glass or ceramic, with a lid.
4. Add enough alcohol to cover the herbs, stir to release air bubbles, cover and store in cool, dark area such as a cupboard.
5. Gently shake the container twice a day for 2 - 4 weeks. Woody herbs need more time, leaves less time.
6. Strain the liquid through a muslin cloth into clean, convenient containers with lids, pressing the herb material by wringing the cloth or pressing with a wooden spoon to extract liquid absorbed by the plant material.
7. Store and use. Tinctures can be stored in a cool dry place for many years.
   
   
   Source: Western Botanicals