What you will need to make the tincture is:
1 Blender
1 quart glass canning jar with lid for each packet of herbs.
Paper Label or masking tape
1.75 liter 80 proof Vodka
4 oz Herbal Formula Pouch
(Dark Jar is for storing Tinctured herb)
Pour Herbs into blender, pour alcohol over herb until covered. Blend with lid on about 60 seconds or until herb is blended with alcohol.
Pour alcohol and herb mixture into glass jar. Add more alcohol if needed. When herb has
settled you will want to see no less than 60% herb on bottom of jar to 40% alcohol resting on top. If you have more herb you may add a bit more alcohol.
If you only cover the herb in the blender with alcohol to blend you should be needing to add more Vodka not herb to the final mix.
Now Label and date your jar and place on a counter you pass by often, but out of direct sunlight. Shake it 3 or 4 times
a day when you pass by to assist in the tincturing process. I have found that the tincture is usable in 14 days if you increase the regular does a bit. It is full strength in 30 days.It is always best to set herbs on the new moon and squeeze them out on the full moon. Nature has a built in pull that assists in the planting and harvesting process this also is true of the tincturing process. Most calendars will show these dates with pictures of the moons. If you cannot find the dates check out this great site. Moon Phases
When you are ready to squeeze off your tincture you will want to have on hand:
Light cotton fabric (enough to hold the herbs you will be pouring from the jar).
Glass mixing bowl
Jar to store herbs in when strained.
Place cloth over glass bowl, you may secure it with large rubber band if working alone or have your partner hold it securely while you pour the herbs into it. When you have emptied the jar, gather up the ends of the cloth around the herbs and squeeze the remaining tincture out of the herbs into your bowl.
When you have finished pour the contents into a dark colored jar and store in dark place. (Extended exposure to sunlight will weaken your herb tincture).
You might want to check into this small hand press. When making the graphics for this page we used the press after we had squeezed all we could out by hand, with the press we were able to extract an addition 4 ounces of Tincture from the herb pouch. You can buy this press on line at: http://www.mathrespresses.com/HerbalTincturePress.htm
