Making tinctures is easy to do; some books or websites have info and sometimes it is very complex; for instance the exact proportion of alcohol and water, how long to let it sit, and so on. I do it the simple way and so far everything has worked well.
I use 180 proof grain alcohol, diluted with water so it is the same proof as vodka (iow 50% water and 50% Clear Springs) which a lot of people use if they live where 180 proof can’t be sold. Some tinctures can be made with somewhat less alcohol, depends on plant, I should check into that as water is cheaper than alcohol!
I use quart mason jars and I like the regular mouth jars rather than wide mouth. When I get enough plant material, such as catnip, prunella (self-heal, heal-all are other names) or lemon balm, I collect if possible right when the flowers start. I cut the stems, shake over a piece of old sheet to save the seeds if they have matured yet, and pluck off the leaves and any flowers, and tender tops.
I stuff the jars full but slightly loosely so there’s enough room for the plant material to move around when shaken once the alcohol is in there. Directions often say to fill only 3/4 full of plant material but I like to maximize. As long as the plant stuff is covered, and can move around when shaken, it’s fine.
I use the regular canning lids, and pour the alcohol/water to just cover the plant material, put in a dark cool place, and let sit for 2 weeks to a month. Should be shaken every day or two. I prefer to leave in a month.
When ready to decant, press through a strainer, sieve, or what i use is a cone shaped ricer with a wooden thingie to press it with. Easier to get all the liquid that way. I store in narrow necked bottles in the dark, and LABEL, Very important! so easy to forget what it is and when you made it. Kept in a cool dark place, and brown or blue bottles are good, they should remain potent for quite a few years.
Lasst year I tripled my catnip. I had some from the year before, so I used that as a based for my tincture along with some new alcohol/water. Then after a month or a few weeks, I strained, and used the tincture again in the jars with new catnip, and then did that yet again. I wanted strong stuff and the catnip plants just kept growing. They were so cooperative! I hope to make more this year the same way.
I use prunella for colds/flus/viruses, for cold sores (lemon balm is good cold sores and shingles), for stings, pimples or small infections or bites, and in Chinese medicine it is used for cancer, so I took for more than a year for that after my surgery.
Catnip is said to be good for hysteria (so far neither DH nor I have had hysterics so haven’t tried for that) but is a nervine - so it is calming, helpful for sound sleep, also as it is anti-spasmodic it helps with colic - stomach or intestinal pain, gas, or other digestive disturbances. And for cold or flu symptoms!
The teas can be drunk but prunella tastes horrid and catnip is not my favorite, I much prefer to take as tinctures, which also keep potency longer than dried teas. Lemon balm you can make in the same manner, and it is also a very tasty tea, I had enough a couple of years to make 1/2 gallon jar of dried leaves for tea and some tincture. Lemon balm has some similar uses, good for digestion, calming, and nice for fever or other type cold/flu symptoms. Probably more uses can be looked up.
A good friend loves catnip tea and she usually grows it, so others may like it.
The ricer I have is pretty much like this but made from aluminum, and probably fairly old, DH got at an auction years ago, they’re around.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Star-Foodservice-42566-Perforations/dp/B00GBG8MCA/ref=psdc_13840231_t1_B00004SU1
Hmm, this one looks better, mesh instead of little holes. There seem to be old ones floating around for cheaper.
https://www.amazon.com/Norpro-Stainless-Steel-Chinois-Pestle/dp/B0036B9KII/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=cone+strainer+and+pestle&qid=1623629005&s=home-garden&sr=1-5
If anyone has one of those “no vent” dryers that captures the water and you have to empty it, listen up. I was curious about that water and had a theory that it was pretty close to distilled. So I bought a little TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter to check it. Turns out, I was right.
Container distilled water = 2ppm
From dryer = 10ppm
Fridge filter = 70ppm
PUR filter = 212ppm
Tap = 268ppm
I make my own washing detergent so I know those 10ppm from the dryer are safe.
Bonus of buying the meter is that I can test my colloidal silver for ppm. Current batch 15ppm! Woo hoo. 15ppm CS can run around $10 an ounce. My whole rig (including 2 one ounce silver coins) cost around $50. I've made about 5 gallons so far and only had to buy a new supply of 9 volts once. I reckon the coins will last me lifetime.
For those interested here are some pics of my colloidal silver rig. The only thing missing from these images is the aquarium bubbler I use to keep the water moving during electrolysis. Take note of the line on the silver coins. The water NEVER should be close enough to the alligator clips where the aluminum or steel would be affected by the electrolysis. Click for larger images.
Clean everything with 100% isopropyl or Ever Clear before and after use.
