Saturday, October 31, 2009

Making Flower Remedies and Herbal Tinctures.


Herbal Tinctures.
"Tinctures can be stored for a long time, making them the perfect way to harness the restorative power of flowers and herbs"
Tinctures are prepared by steeping fresh or dried herbs in pure alcohol. The plants' active constituents are dissolved in the alcohol, which acts as an excellent preservative. Herbal tinctures are stronger than infusions and decoctions. They are an effective and convenient way to administer herbal remedies over extended periods of time, especially when travelling. It is standard to make a tincture from a single herb and to blend tinctures from your herbal medicine cabinet as required. They have a shelf life of up to two years, so it is well worth the effort of preparing your own home-made tinctures.
Simple Steps To Make A Tincture:
1. Chop 300g fresh herbs (or 200g dried herbs) and place them in a large, clean glass jar.
2. Pour 1 litre of pure alcohol (vodka or rum) over the herbs. Place a screw cap on the jar and shake well to ensure that the herbs are fully submerged.
3. Keep in a cool dark place for 10-14 days. Shake the jar for one minute each day.
4. Sieve the mixture through a muslin or linen cloth. Discard the herbs and pour the liquid into sterilised screwtop glass bottles.
5. Label the bottles with the date, the name of the herb and the concentration.
Making A Herbal Tincture With St John's Wort:
1. Collect 250g of the flowering heads of St John's Wort.
2. Place the flower heads containing the buds, flowers and leaves in the alcohol as per the recipe.
3. Take 5ml of the tincture, diluted in water or fruit juice, three times a day to combat anxiety and tension headaches.
Flower Remedies.
"Flower remedies take their power from time in the sun"
Flower remedies are a form of homeopathic tincture.They are a subtle treatment that captures the essential qualities of flowers or herbs by infusing them in water. Alcohol is then used as a fixative and preservative. Flower remedies are effective for treating the emotional imbalances that underlie many illnesses, and they also raise your energy.
Simple Steps To Make A Flower Remedy:
1. Place 50g of freshly picked, whole flower heads in a shallow glass or earthenware basin.
2. Add approximately 350ml of pure spring water. Ensure that all the flowers are submerged and cover with a muslin cloth.
3. Place the basin in a sunny spot for one day. This can be a sheltered spot in the garden or a sunny windowsill.
4. In the evening, remove the flower heads and measure the remaining liquid.
5. Add an equal amount of pure alcohol (vodka or rum) and pour the remedy into sterilised bottles.
Making A Flower remedy With Marigold Essence:
1. Submerge 5-6 freshly picked Marigold flower heads in spring water as described in the flower remedy recipe.
2. It's best to grow your own Marigolds, but if you are purchasing them, you should ensure that the flowers are organic.
3. Apply 4-5 drops of the essence under your tongue 4 times a day to restore a positive frame of mind.
Ideal Herbs And Flowers For Tinctures And Remedies:
Marigold; St John's Wort; Red Chestnut; Willow; Dong Quai; Ginger; Ginkgo; Raspberry; Oak; Pine

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