Tinctures: Maceration or Percolation?

[Chris SallesStudent]

For tincture extractions, is one method better than the other, and why?

[Elizabeth PrackertStudent]

Hi Chris I am a brand new student here..I purchased some percolation equipment and successfully made Teasel, Echinachea, Hawthorn and Venom and Sting Tincture and Hops. One of the advantages of percolation is that you can make a tincture very quickly and I have read that it is stronger than an maceration tincture apparently because percolation presents fresh vodka to the herb and someones opinion was that during maceration the mark and menstrum reach a point of osmosis..which made sense to me. I do think the percolated tinctures are stronger..however it probably isn’t a good idea with a very fluffy herb or a mucilaginous herb. I had a total fail with Mullein..it virtually didn’t extract anything and soaked up 6ml of Vodka per gram of herb. I will definitely use maceration from now on for herbs that contain  mucilage and also the hops as it is extremely fluffy and contains lot of resin (it extracted well though) . I was curious to try percolation and I think it works very well. Not quite sure why the Mullein was such a dramatic fail..I put the menstrum and the mark in a jar not sure if it will eventually extract properly or not..but will share what happens. Hope my limited experience helps. I am a you tube fan and there are some good videos about how to pack the funnel that I found helpful. Bright Blessings From Liz in Australia

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Chris Salles

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Mullein is a notoriously naughty herb when it comes to tincturing. It can suck up booze better than a dry sponge. LOL.

I only do maceration. Life’s too short for properly packing cones and trickling hooch. :0)

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

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