Traditional Folk Tincture Making

Traditional Folk Tincture Making

Used for millennia, there is no need for math or measuring!

• Weigh the amount of required plant material.
• Chop plant material.
• Place in a clean, dry jar. The maceration vessel should have a wide opening, and a tight fitting, non-corrosive lid.
• Add your menstruum of choice. Fill the jar until all plant material is well covered, leaving none exposed to the air. Leave about 2-inches of headroom at the top of the jar. The herbs will float, so use your best judgment.
• Place a thin piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap between the top of the jar and the lid to make a better seal and to prevent the interaction between the lid and the menstruum.
• Shake or agitate the jar every day for 10 to 14 days.
• Leave to macerate for up to 45 days.
• You can either leave the menstruum macerating in the dark OR in the sun. The warmth of the sun possibly aids the maceration process.
• Do not shake the jar the day you will press it out
• Carefully pour the clear menstruum off the top through the filter cloth.
• Press out the remainder and combine the two.
• Label both macerating vessel and the finished product with name of the herb and date of processing - Botanical/Formula Name , % ETOH, Weight/Volume, Amount Pressed Out, Date, Lot/Batch No.