Making Herbal Medicine – Tinctures, Glycerites, and Vinegars

@doloresosullivan.1

The US labels their alcohol content as proof while in Canada it is labelled by volume. Proof is half of what the alcohol content is by volume. So if you are buying alcohol that is 190 proof it is the same as 95% alcohol by volume. I believe that Ireland uses the alcohol by volume method of labelling so you would be looking for 95% alcohol if the recipe is calling for Everclear. There is also a product called "Spirytus Rektyfikowany" Rectified Spirit from Poland which is 96% alcohol by volume or 192 proof. From what I understand, that high of a percentage alcohol is not sold in Ireland. But maybe you know someone who travels a lot and goes through Duty Free stores where both products should be available. For now you will just have to use the strongest alcohol you can find.

@Melinda Vodka (or Everclear) is usually used because of its lack other ingredients or lack of taste (some vodka enthusiasts are going to disagree, lol) or lack of tannins (from ageing in wooden casks). However, in a pinch you can use any alcohol. I like using brandy for making bitters cause it seems to improve the taste and I like the tannins added to the bitters. Rum might improve the flavour of some syrups. Then you have the option of white or dark rum. I would think that white rum would be better so you can see the colour of your tincture.

@KimWilson Welcome to TGN's forum! I think the question you have, should be directed to me instead of @csinclair461.

It is always best if you can use a standard tincture formula. But for some herbs it just doesn't work out that way. If you are doing a second or third tincturing of material in the same alcohol, just keep track of the proportions and do the math. If you need twice the amount of alcohol just to cover the material (so now you have a .5:5 or 1:10 ratio), then do the same amount of material in the next tincturing in the same alcohol and that should give you a 1:5 ratio. You can do this to get a double strength tincture as well as @seeker.nancy has suggested.

You should start your own pharmacopeia. There are some plant materials that do better in a ratio other than 1:5. Some teachers recommend different ratios so I keep track of all possibilities from different sources and then choose the one that I think is best for my purpose. For example, 7Song recommends a ratio of 1:8 in 50% alcohol by volume while the Herbarium recommends a 1:4 ratio in 60% alcohol by volume. As you can see, there are different strength alcohols used as well. Some materials such as resinous plants (or actual resins like myrrh) or hard roots, need a very high alcohol percentage so many herbalists will use Everclear (95% ABV) or the highest alcohol available. But we use what we have. In some states and provinces as well as other countries the highest alcohol available might only be 40% ABV (80 proof).

The ratio for fresh material is usually 1:2 but again that can sometimes be difficult to accomplish. And some plants are better done in a different ratio. For example the Herbarium recommends fresh Calendula to be done at a 1:3 ratio in 90% ABV.

Hope that answers your question.