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Page 28
| liquid extracts, also known as fluid extracts. They are much more concentrated than tinctures with one part by volume of the fluid extract being equivalent to one part by weight of the herb. |
| Another way of making a kind of alcohol infusion is to infuse herbs in wine. Even though these wine-based preparations do not have the shelf life of tinctures and are not as concentrated, they can be both pleasant to take and effective. |
| To make a glycerin-based tincture: |
| Tinctures based on glycerin have the advantage of being milder on the digestive tract and do not involve the problems associated with alcohol use. However they have the disadvantage of not dissolving resinous or oily materials as well. As a solvent glycerin is generally better than water but not as good as alcohol. |
| 1. Make up 1 pint of a mixture consisting of 1 part glycerin and 1 part water. |
| 2. Add 4 oz. of the dried ground herb and leave it in a well-stoppered container for 2 weeks, shaking it daily. |
| 3. After 2 weeks, strain and press or wring the residue as with alcoholic tinctures. |
| For fresh herbs, due to their greater water content, put 8 oz. into a mixture of 75 percent glycerin/25 percent water. |
| There are many herbal ways to enjoy a restful night's sleep using tinctures. Here are some additional suggestions for combinations. |
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