'Part Measurements: weight or volume?

[Martha StanleyStudent]

I have been accumulating the equipment and materials to make salves and potions and I’m ready to do it. Anxious, even!

However, I’m temporarily stymied about measuring.

In the HGH book on p. 48, in the blender method for infused oil, it says to use 1 part herb and mix with 1/2 part vodka.

Further down, it notes that it’s dried herbs. 3 oz was the example used.

*******Are the dried herbs measured by my food scale or a measuring cup?*******

I’m going to assume that the liquids are measured in a measuring cup.

Thanks,

Martha

PS: did I read somewhere about a blender method for tincturing herbs ?!?

[Michelle KochStudent]

Marthabees wrote: I have been accumulating the equipment and materials to make salves and potions and I’m ready to do it. Anxious, even!

However, I’m temporarily stymied about measuring.

In the HGH book on p. 48, in the blender method for infused oil, it says to use 1 part herb and mix with 1/2 part vodka.

Further down, it notes that it’s dried herbs. 3 oz was the example used.

*******Are the dried herbs measured by my food scale or a measuring cup?*******

I’m going to assume that the liquids are measured in a measuring cup.

I could be doing it wrong all this time, but I just mentally break the jar down in sections, and put the dried herbs in the jar to my imaginary line, then fill the rest of the way with whatever liquid in using. (I usually make oil infusions,

but I have made tincture too. Sometimes I measure the herbs by dry weight with a kitchen scale, and I always measure wax by weight.

Thanks,

Martha

PS: did I read somewhere about a blender method for tincturing herbs ?!?

YES, you did read about the blender method! It really helps to break down the cellulose in the plsnts, releasing all their goodness. It’s probably ready to go by then, depending on the hetb, but I prefer to let it continue to mull a few days just to let as much goodness as possible infuse compleyely.

[Michelle KochStudent]

Sorry about all the typos. I’m using a tablet, and my finger hits the wrong letters a lot.

[IdahoHerbalist]

As long as you stay in the same realm you are good. When I make a tincture I measure the herb in grams and measure the liquid in grams too. That is because there is a direct relationship between the dry and liquid units.

I do not know what the relationship is between fluid ounces and dry ounces. I do know it is NOT 1:1 though. If you really need to know that an internet search will educate you.

[Michelle KochStudent]

The weight of WATER is the same as fluid ounces. For example, six ounces of water in a measuring cup weighs six ounces on a kitchen scale (try it and see!). Be sure to zero out the cup first 😉 . Maybe other fluids like oil weigh differently, I haven’t tested it.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Would depend on your altitude for any liquid.

I guarantee oil would weigh different than water due to its density (heavier per volume)

For small quantities and in many situations altitude is ignored. For the huge volumes that I go through I take altitude into consideration.

If you want to know what the difference is measure out a largish volume and then weigh it to see wha the difference is. For vodka at my location the difference is about 25 g for 500 ml of vodka. That is why I correct.

[Michelle KochStudent]

And for dry, the measurement for cup is going to weigh differently from weight. This is important in gluten free baking, for example. If you use a recipe based on all purpose wheat flour, then you would weigh out 140 grams of alternative (gluten free) flour for every cup of all purpose flour the recipe calls for. 140 grams could equal out to more or less than a cup, depending upon the types of grains used in the flour.

Hmmm… I’m beginning to think perhaps I need to just start weighing everything in grams/ounces, rather than milliliters and cups. :geek:

[Martha StanleyStudentTopic Author]

That got way more intellectual than was useful for me. :blink:

Let’s do it this way. Two questions.

First question has two parts:

In the blender method of infusing oil

If I use a cup of vodka, how much herb goes in — using a measuring cup (with ounces or mL, either)

—if the herb is dry

—if the herb is fresh

Second question;

Where can I find directions for making tincture using a blender method?

Hope that makes things clearer. Thanks!

Martha

[Michelle KochStudent]

I’m sorry I confused you, Martha. Here is a link to a thread that has talked about this before:

There is anothet, give me a minute to find it…

And here it is!

I hope I was more helpful this time. 🙂

[IdahoHerbalist]

Not enough information for your first question UNLESS you are doing the folk method. With the folk method you put in as much herb as you feel comfortable with.

For the ratio method I need to know what the ratio you are trying to achieve first.

Fresh herb is more conducive to folk method.

Dry herb can be for both.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Martha, when making topical medications precise measuring isn’t necessary. It’s pretty tough to over dose yourself with a lotion. 😉

To answer your question though, when I make an oil infusion using the blender method I’m talking about volume measures…a cup of herbs and half cup of booze then 7 cups oil.

When making tincture I use weight in grams for the herb and volume in milliliters for the hooch.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Martha StanleyStudentTopic Author]

Thank you. Most helpful.

Martha

[Author]

Posts