Herbs & Tincture Uses

By Pam Caldwell, Herbalist

Whenever possible, store your dried herbs in a glass container, which will keep them fresh longer. Keep all forms of herbal products in a cool, dark location, even your cooking spices. Many people store cooking spices above their stove and the heat from the stove will rapidly cause the herbs and spices to lose their vitality, rich flavor and potency.

HOW TO MAKE TEA

Leafy (soft textured) herbs – use 1 tsp. herb to 1 cup of water. Boil the water. Remove from heat. Add the herb, cover and let steep for 10•20 minutes. Do not boil the herb. Strain the herb matter out and enjoy!

This is the “infusion” method. Use this method when using leaves, flowers, aromatic seeds (such as Fennel and Anise) and other more fragile plant parts. Also use this method when using Goldenseal Root and Valerian Root, as they have a high concentration of volatile oils.

Rooty (hard textured) herbs – use 1 tsp. herb to 1 cup of water. Place the herb in the pot with cold water. Cover, and bring to a low boil. Simmer at a low boil for 15-30 minutes. Strain, and cool to the desired temperature to avoid a burn. Enjoy!

This is the “decoction” method. You will use this method when using tougher parts of the plant, such as roots, barks and non-aromatic seeds.

Combination Leafy and Rooty herbs – use only the root part of your tea, make according to directions under “rooty (hard textured) herbs” above. After allowing tea to simmer at a low boil for 15-20 minutes, remove from heat and add leafy part of your tea. Cover and simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes. Strain and enjoy!

Medicinal – to make a medicinal tea, fill a Ball or Kerr canning jar half full with root or dried herb, or filled to the top with loosely packed fresh herb. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water, cap tightly and let it sit overnight. Strain and enjoy!

This method will result in a stronger tea, which is more medicinal in nature than either of the other methods described above.

Other Helpful Information

Do not use aluminum or copper pots or utensils when making your teas. All others are fine. All teas can be made in large quantities and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Do not reheat your teas in the microwave! This will kill the medicinal and beneficial qualities.

You may add honey (never give honey to a child under one year of age), lemon, orange, or other flavorings as desired, and you may drink them hot or cold. Enjoy and have fun with your tea!

TINCTURES

Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs. Most are extracted in alcohol, but can also be extracted in vegetable glycerine and apple cider vinegar. They are easy to use and are convenient. Because they are taken under the tongue, they get into the blood stream much faster than other ways of taking herbs, therefore, the action in the body is quicker.

Tinctures are usually taken in “droppersful”, which is the amount that fills the glass tube when the dropper bulb is fully squeezed and released. The fluid may only fill the glass tube 1/4 of the way, but that is considered a “dropperful”.

Always consider that many herbs are building in nature (especially “tonic” herbs), therefore, they will not have the same immediate effect as a prescription drug, which will synthetically and unnaturally alter your body’s actions and can cause some very distressing side effects. Other herbs, however, will give an immediate effect, such as those used for relaxation and to help soothe indigestion.

Tinctures are usually extracted in alcohol, as it is such a potent solvent. Some herbs simply will not release its medicinal qualities to a less potent solvent, such as water, apple cider vinegar or glycerine. It takes something a bit stronger, and alcohol is perfect. Alcohol is also a wonderful preservative, and tinctures made from alcohol have an unlimited shelf life.

Tinctures made from apple cider vinegar are wonderful as well, as the vinegar has health building qualities of its own, and is especially good for alcohol sensitive people. It has a shelf life of only about a year though. Glycerine tinctures are also great for people who are sensitive to alcohol, and especially for children, as it is quite sweet and they will readily take it. Glycerine does not extract as well as alcohol, but the shelf life of 2-3 years is a little longer than the vinegar-based.

As with any form of herb, it is important that you store your tinctures in a dry, dark, cool place as the heat and sunlight will deteriorate your herb’s potency.

If you have an alcohol-based tincture, you can eliminate the alcohol by either putting the drops into a hot cup of water and drinking it (not so hot that you burn yourself), or you can place the liquid in a teaspoon, hold it over a lit candle, and then carefully light the liquid with a lighter. It will make a blue flame, which is the alcohol burning off. When the flame goes out, you will be left with pure herb in your spoon and when it cools down, you can place this directly under your tongue for a more direct and quick effect.

Please be careful when doing this as the liquid can be very hot. Keep in mind that the alcohol ingested in a dose of tincture is minimal – about what you would get from eating a very ripe banana.

Alcohol-based tinctures are not recommended for alcohol-sensitive individuals, such as recovering alcoholics, but are safe for use even by pregnant women.

To take a tincture, it is preferable to take the drops directly under your tongue, as it goes directly into your blood stream and into your system. You may even want to take it with a squeeze of lemon to really open up the ducts in your mouth and get as much of the herb into your system as possible!

Hold it under your tongue for several seconds. If you need to dilute the tincture, you may do so; however, it does get diluted in your system as well. I’ve had good success with the lemon mentioned above and/or honey in a small amount of water. (Note: Do not give honey to a child less than one year of age.) Try not to drink anything for at least 15-20 minutes afterwards to allow the tincture to “soak in” under your tongue.

Herbs are an added benefit to healthy living. Enjoy the experience.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call toll-free: 877-808-5815 or go to: www.HerbLore.com