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Page 74
| the herb contains volatile oils, cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. |
| Strain the tea while still hot. |
| Tinctures |
| In general, alcohol is a better solvent than water for plant constituents. Mixtures of alcohol and water dissolve nearly all relevant ingredients of an herb and at the same time the alcohol acts as a preservative. Alcohol preparations are called tinctures, a word that is occasionally also used for preparations with a glycerin or vinegar base, as described below. The method given below for the preparation of tinctures shows a simple and general approach; when tinctures are prepared professionally according to descriptions in a pharmacopoeia, specific water/alcohol proportions are used for each herb, but for general use such details are unnecessary. For home use it is best to take an alcohol of at least 30 percent (60 proof), vodka for instance, as this is about the weakest alcohol/water mixture with a long-term preservative action. |
| To Make an Alcohol-based Tincture: |
| Put 4 ounces of finely chopped or ground dried herb into a container that can be tightly closed. If fresh herbs are used, twice the amount should be used. |
| Pour 1 pint of 30 percent (60 proof) vodka on the herbs and close tightly. |
| Keep the container in a warm place for two weeks and shake it well twice every day. |
| After decanting the bulk of the liquid, pour the residue into a muslin cloth suspended in a bowl. |
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