Cold and flu season is upon us! Boost your immune system by making an herbal tincture, as taught to us by Survival Mom. ~ The Editors
Tinctures are one of the best ways to include herbal remedies in your emergency preparedness preps. That’s because these concentrated liquid forms, also called herbal extracts, are more quickly absorbed into your system. In this article we’ll look at a simple method that doesn’t required precise measurements.
Tinctures are concentrated liquid forms of herbal extracts. They have a long shelf life, much longer than dried herbs or capsules. Like other preparations, though, extracts will need to be protected from extreme temperatures and direct sunlight, otherwise they will degrade and become less potent.
Most herbal tinctures are made using alcohol. Everclear, vodka, and brandy are the most popular choices. Rubbing alcohol should never be used for a tincture that you plan to use internally. It’s toxic!
A ratio of 50/50 alcohol and water will make the strongest, longest lasting extracts, so 100 proof vodka is often a good choice for preppers concerned about shelf life. Vodka is also easier to obtain than Everclear, and there’s no need to worry about adjusting the proof.
Tinctures are used for:
Time needed: 14 days
This an easy, general guide that’s safe for most plants and useful if there is no convenient way to measure out exact amounts. This method is the traditional, or “folk” method of making tinctures, and is what I use the majority of the time. It’s great for beginners, because there’s no tricky math to figure out ratios and no trying to deal with grams of dry weight vs fluid ounces of the alcohol.
Continue reading, “How to Make Herbal Tinctures” from The Survival Mom here.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
