Making Tinctures

if you grow herbs and edible flowers then you have many ingredients for making tinctures, if not you can find many herb stores around you I bet or I know you can order online.






Here is a simple and inexpensive way to get started. Remember, there’s lots of information out there, so talk to a specialist or do some online research before deciding what you want to use. Everyone’s body reacts differently, so make sure what you choose won’t conflict with any health issues or medications you’re taking.




Healing Flowers and Herbs


Chamomile: Aids digestion and calms and soothes nerves.

Dandelion Leaf: Natural diuretic. Removes excess water and toxins from the body. Helps to cleanse and protect the liver after excess amounts of alcohol and unhealthy eating. (Something we can all use this time of year!)

Eucalyptus Leaf: Internally used to relive cold and flu symptoms. Inhale vapors or use in bath to help with chest congestion. Externally used as an antiseptic or an antibacterial and to relieve aches, stiffness and pains associated with burns and scrapes.

Feverfew: Derived from the Latin word for fever reducer, this is used to treat headaches and reduce fever.

Holy Basil (Tulsi): Thought to be the most sacred herb of India and known for its many healing qualities including stress relief, boosting and supporting immunity and promoting healthy metabolism.

Hops Flower: Similar to Valerian in promoting anxiety and stress relief and aiding in alleviating restlessness and insomnia.

Lavender: Helps promote restful sleep and stress relief. When applied topically, it helps to relieve irritated and dry skin due to rashes, burns or minor cuts.

Rose: A natural antidepressant, astringent, antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and digestive stimulant.

Shiitake Mushroom: Great immune-system booster and antioxidant.

Yarrow: When added to other herbs, helps intensify their medicinal benefits. Also aids in cold and flu relief.

Forêt’s Quick Tincture Recipe

Making a tincture from herbs is a great way to prolong the shelf life and preserve the medicinal benefits of each plant. It’s quick and easy and will come in handy as various health issues arise. Plus, how cool is it to have your very own mini apothecary?! A few drops of your homemade tincture can be added to water or herbal tea. There are lots of variations on how a tincture can be made, but here is our formula. We find it helpful to make a tincture that consists of one plant or flower that can then be combined with other tinctures. We chose to use dried herbs in our recipe. Our recipe calls for vegetable glycerin and not alcohol, but either way works; it’s just a matter of preference.

Materials
dried plant of your choice
vegetable glycerin or 80 proof vodka
a canning jar that is air tight
filtered water
cheese cloth
dark glass jar to store tincture in once it’s complete



Instructions

Start by filling your jar halfway with dried flowers. Next, add two parts vegetable glycerin to one part filtered water to fill the rest of the container. Once all ingredients are in, secure the top of the jar and give it a good shake until everything is mixed well (you may need to stir first). Then find a cool, dark place to store the jar for at least two weeks and up to six weeks. The longer you let it sit, the stronger the end result will be. Give the jar a shake once a day during the storing process. When the mixture has sat for the allotted time, take your cheese cloth and strain the plants from the liquid. The healing elements will be absorbed into the vegetable glycerin, so the plant material can be composted or thrown out after this step. Use a dark glass jar with a dropper-fitted lid to store your finished tincture!

Who needs a small bag when you’ve got a pantry?




The most potent and effective remedies are often the natural ones already hanging out in the pantry. Aside from the remedy-specific nature of the following 10 homemade teas, one of the most exciting thing about them is that they don’t require a tea bag! Your spice cabinet, fresh ginger root, some green herbs, a few fruits and vegetables, and honey are all that stand between you and an elixir to treating a pesky ailment – 10 of them, to be more exact.




To put together the following recipes, make sure to mix them until evenly combined and let the teas involving herbs or fruit to steep for several minutes before drinking. Sweeten as you see fit and enjoy!










Morning Liver Tonic




When you wake up in the morning, you’re body is in a very special place. The reason we are usually instructed to take supplements in the morning is because our stomachs are empty and there is little to interfere with said supplements’ potency. This morning tea pulls you out on the right side of the bed, giving a morning cleansing body flush. The lemon juice is highly alkaline and turmeric is known for its detoxifying properties.




Turmeric dates back 2,500 years in India, where it is commonly used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. Turmeric packs a lot of health benefits, but for our purposes it should be regarded as a liver cleanser, antiseptic and antibacterial agent. But it doesn’t hurt that the spice lowers the risk of cancer, is anti-inflammatory and helps to lose weight. Turmeric additionally treats Alzheimer’s, depression and arthritis.




You can sweeten with honey to balance the earthiness of the tea.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

1/8 teaspoon turmeric

Juice of 1/2 lemon







Deep Sleep Tea




Wind down at the end of the day with a tea that promotes a deep, comfortable sleep. Chamomile is a great stress reliever and has a calming effect on the body. It has been used for thousands of years to help people around the world get some shut eye, and a Japanese study put some legitimacy behind this widespread observation when it noticed that rats fed chamomile fell asleep just as quickly as those given a tranquilizer. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and helps to clear mucous from your passageways, allowing for more effective breathing and hence a more pleasant sleep.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

Dried chamomile flowers to fill one sachet

1/2-inch nob of fresh ginger, crushed







Detox Elixir




Holding a bit more weight than you’d like? Cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and lemon join forces to rev up your metabolism and get your body back in shape. Cayenne pepper warms the body, speeding metabolism and burning more calories. Cinnamon reduces blood sugar and LDL (bad) cholesterol as well as boosts metabolism and increases insulin levels. Lemon packs some flavor and added cleansing power.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

2 dashes cayenne pepper

1 cinnamon stick (or 2 dashes cinnamon powder)

Juice of 1/2 lemon







Immune Booster Tea




Oranges are packed with vitamin C, a known antioxidant that may help protect your body from cell damage and boost resilience from disease and illness. Cinnamon and honey both have antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, which means they are effective in warding off infections. Mint not only brings a fresh aroma, but it’s a leafy green that carries with it antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that keep you healthy.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

Juice of 1/2 orange

1 cinnamon stick (or 2 dashes cinnamon powder)

1 teaspoon high-quality (raw) honey

4-5 mint leaves, muddled







Beautiful Skin Tea




This may seem like an unlikely concoction, but it’s actually quite delightful! Carrot juice is packed with beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, an essential part of skin health. Sage inhibits the growth of bacteria and has anti-inflammatory properties. Cayenne contains vitamins A and C, which help to absorb free radicals that break down your skin’s collagen.




Warm this recipe, without bringing it to a simmer. You want to retain the carrot juice’s potency. Let the leaves sit in the juice for a bit before drinking so that their flavors become infused into the tea.




The Formula:




8 ounces warmed carrot juice

2 sage leaves

Dash of cayenne







Brain Power Formula




Blueberries contain anthocyanins and flavanols, which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier. These antioxidants rid the brain of free radicals, which can otherwise lead to oxidation, memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Ginger is commonly used to stave off migraines and basil naturally reduces tension and fatigue in the brain and mind.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

1/2-inch nob fresh ginger, crushed

1 tablespoon fresh blueberries, muddled

3-4 leaves fresh basil, muddled







Regularity Tonic




This tonic is geared towards those of you with difficulty digesting. The taste of this tea is very comforting and earthy. The pear and apple slices bring pectin to the mix, and pectin acts as soluble dietary fiber in humans. It helps promote healthy digestion, prevents diarrhea and constipation, and reduces the risk of colon and gastrointestinal tract cancers. Purple grapes contain quercetin, a plant pigment that contributes to healthy digestion, while cinnamon warms and stimulates metabolism.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

2 small slices of pear

2 small slices of apple

4-5 purple grapes, muddled

Dash of cinnamon







Lady’s Tonic




For that time of month, this raspberry ginger tonic is just what the doctor ordered. Raspberries are a uterine tonic, relaxing and toning the uterine muscles as needed. The fruit is also beneficial during pregnancy, easing morning sickness, stabilizing digestion, and soothing the pelvic area. According to a 2009 study, women who take a dosage of ginger for three days from day one of their period witnesses the same pain relief as those who treated their menstrual cramps with ibuprofen.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

6-8 raspberries, muddled

1/4-inch fresh ginger







Aches and Pains Relieving Tea




Feeling sore as the Winter nears? Be ready to combat the worsening of your symptoms with a tea that cleanses your joints and puts them at ease. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a compound that makes cayenne spicy. It lowers the levels of a chemical that relays pain signals to your brain. Fresh ginger and cardamom have both long been used in Ayurvedic medicine to reduce joint pain and inflammation.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

Dash of cayenne

4-5 cardamom pods, crushed

1/2-inch fresh ginger, muddled







Nausea-Be-Gone Tonic




This recipe uses the soothing and potent effects of basil and honey to rid you of stomach pains, nausea, and vomiting symptoms. It is refreshing just as much as it is energizing, which will help to reverse your symptoms and keep you alert and feeling good.




The Formula:




8 ounces hot water

3-4 basil leaves, muddled

1 teaspoon of high-quality (raw) honey