Herbs Ratio Meaning

[chuskiStudent]

Hello Guys, I am still learning.

In a Tincture bottle it’s written Herb Strength is 1:4

Does this mean that 80% is Alcohol and 20% is herb?

Please help me in understanding this.

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Dalia Smith, Sydnia Ginger Anady

[Greg BoggsStudent]

Yes, it means 1 part herb and 4 parts alcohol. So if you have 100 grams of herbs, you’d want 400 grams of alcohol (usually vodka or everclear)

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Katherine Monroe, Lisa Allen, chuski, Sydnia Ginger Anady

[chuskiStudentTopic Author]

Thank you for your reply 🙂

[Kristin MelendezStudent]

The ratios written 1:4, 1:5, or 1:10 are herb to menstruum for example 1 part herb to 4 parts alcohol.  What you are asking about in the 80 and 20% is about the alcohol/water ratio within the menstruum.  Some herbs extract better at 40% water/60% alcohol or 20% water/80% alcohol, etc.  Most people just buy everclear and go 50/50 but if you get into the research some herbs extract better with more alcohol and some with more water.  There are lots of variances and lots of math…hard math so as a beginner you may not care to go into that detail.

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chuski, Dan Flowers, Sydnia Ginger Anady

[SharonStudent]

Kristin – do you have a source for the “better” dilution numbers for different herbs?  I’ve just been doing as Doc mentioned and using 40% for almost everything – unless it’s fresh, then I use everclear or dry the herbs first then use 40%.  Thanks in advance.

[Lisa BatemanStudent]

Hoffmann’s Medical Herbalism and Fisher’s Materia Medica of Western Herbs both indicate percentages of alcohol and ratios of herb to menstrum suggested by herb. For example, Hoffmann writes that Chasteberry (Vitex.agnus-castus) is best 1:5 in 60% ethanol (40% water) mix. Ginger is said to be best at 1:5 in 40%.

Lisa Bateman

[Dalia SmithStudent]

I was wondering the same question, thanks for asking. I’m learning about things I never thought of before, as well. Where do you get your information about the extract percentages?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Dalia Smith.

[Greg BoggsStudent]

Hi Dalia,

You’ll want to check out the Making Herbal Medicines section. Slide 33 specifically talks about the ratios

Making Herbal Medicines: Lesson 1 – Introduction and General Principles

[ElizabethStudent]

Hello !

I was just curious about how long a tincture  needs to sit and cure until it is ready ? Is 2 weeks the earliest you can use it or is there some tinctures that require less time?

Thanks, Elizabeth

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!

[Greg BoggsStudent]

Almost all of the herb books you come across will say give it 4 weeks before the tincture is ready, Doc says you only need 2 weeks and it could potentially be done in 1 week. I would still err on doing 2 weeks though

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Amy Cain, Elizabeth

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