Making an herbal tincture.

Well it continues...The FDA is looking at banning multi vitamins next!!! Link Here: http://www.prisonplanet.com/fda-one-step-away-from-declaring-dietary-supplements-drugs.html

They are really kicking it in to high gear these days. What do you all think about obama making the military pay for there own insurance? I personally think that was the most telling and disgusting thing I've ever heard. I never thought I'd see the day when a President did not care about the welfare of the troops that HE is sending into harms way! Horrible and unexcusable behavior for a President! Almost everywhere I go now I hear people talking about a revolution! hummmm.....

Today I wanted to post some more info on making medicinal herbal tinctures. Tinctures are very expensive to buy in the store and so very easy and inexpensive to make! The medicinal properties of a plant is concentrated in grain alcohol (NOT rubbing alcohol), or vinegar. They are wonderful to have on hand and easy to use. Because they are concentrated you can add a dropperful or more to a cup of tea or water or juice and have a potent boost for your body. The tincture is more powerful than a cup of tea so if you are using a tincture for cleansing your body of toxins as in burdock, dandelion, or red clover, having a tincture drink 3 or 4 times a day is more potent than drinking a dozen cups of tea with the same herb. I've posted a list of very helpful herbs to have on hand and what they are good for-just scroll down the page here a bit and you'll find it. You can use a single herb or a mix but it is generally agreed that 6 or less mixed together is best. Sometimes less is more :)
Here's how to make a Tincture: Choose your herb either fresh or dried and cut up small. Put into a clean, dry mason jar. Then cover the herbs with grain alcohol - Everclear is best but you can also use brandy or organic apple cider vinegar - anything over 90 proof works though and fill to an inch over the slightly packed herbs. Screw the lid on tight making sure that it is a sealable jar so that the alcohol doesn't evaporate. Mark with date and herb(s). Put in a dark cabinet for 2-6 weeks. Shake gently weekly. Leaving for longer will of course make the tincture stronger medicinally. Thats it! Easy! When you are ready to strain the tincture get another clean, dry jar and strain with cheese cloth or paper towel. Squeeze the herbs a bit to get the rest of the tincure out, label with herb names and it's use (internal or external). Seal tightly. Tinctures will generally last 2 years or more if sealed tightly.
Next post I will pass on recipe for how to make herbal creams. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a post or send an e-mail and I'll answer it.
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