Too much herb?

[ChuckStudent]

I’m experimenting with tinctures and oil infusions and on some occasions it seems the herb sucks up all the menstruem (sp?). Or in the case of the 1:2 tincture with fresh herb it just isn’t enough and a good portion of the herb is sitting above the liquid.

Am I doing something wrong? Maybe grind the herb to a fine powder?

I just did a 1:5 tincture of scullcap and it’s just a bunch of wet chopped leaves, barely any liquid flowing.

Just checking to see if I’m doing this right.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Chuck

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Different herbs need different ratios of alcohol. Most dry herbs do well with a 1:3 ratio but some will suck that up like it’s nothing. For those thirsty rascals I usually do 1:5. Regardless, make sure there is at least a little booze covering the top.

Keep a little notebook and jot down the ratios that work. It will save you time and hassle next time.

It doesn’t really matter what the ratio is at all. Just remember that the higher ratio tinctures will require larger doses to be effective. Note the ratio on the bottles of course and your fine.

Patrick

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

[ChuckStudentTopic Author]

Thanks for the input Doc.

I should have titled the topic “too little booze”.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Yeah, I started a couple of tinctures of Brigham Tea a little while ago. All of the menstrum is WET but not floating in the booze.

What is the primary reason for making sure there is alcohol above the top portion of the herb? Any others?

If there is not enough alcohol will it get saturated with the good stuff and not be able to take out any more?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

First a little lingo clarification:

The booze is the Menstrum.

The herb is the Mark.

Completely covering the herb (mark) just ensures that all of the herb is in the menstrum sloshing around in booziferous bliss. If it’s not completely submerged, the medicine isn’t leaching out into the menstrum.

Patrick

IdahoHerbalist wrote: Yeah, I started a couple of tinctures of Brigham Tea a little while ago. All of the menstrum is WET but not floating in the booze.

What is the primary reason for making sure there is alcohol above the top portion of the herb? Any others?

If there is not enough alcohol will it get saturated with the good stuff and not be able to take out any more?

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

[mdos]

Also, if you have too little menstrum, you risk mold forming on the part of the mark that’s exposed to the air.

[Author]

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