EXTRACT IT: VANILLA

A B

C

D

E

Fig. A: Finely chop all the plant matter. Fig. B: Put the dandelions in the jar and fill with menstruum to cover the plants. Fig. C: Pour it all into a blender and blend.

 

» Alcohol is an excellent menstruum; 100 proof grain alcohol is the best choice, but vodka, gin, or rum can be used in its place. This example uses the strongest vodka I could find at the market here in California, 80 proof (40% alcohol).

 

» Vegetable glycerin also extracts and preserves, but must be refrigerated. Glycerin is perfect for children or other people for whom alcohol is contraindicated. It’s available with a little searching. It’s thick and sticky, so dilute it to 50% with spring water.

» Vinegar is great because it’s tasty and can be used in cooking, or served on salads. I used apple cider vinegar, although white or red will also work.

Place the chopped plant matter into a jar, then pour in the menstruum until the plant matter is just barely covered with liquid (Figure B). I made 1 jar of each type of menstruum, all using the same proportions. Now pour the mixture into a blender. Blend to your heart’s content (Figure C). I stopped when the particles of plant seemed good and pulverized, and the liquid was cloudy and milky. Pour it all back into the jar, and screw the lid on tight.

Fig. D: Shake the tincture every day. Fig. E: Strain the plant matter and collect the liquid. Fig. F: Store the tincture in dark bottles. Fig. G: Label your herbal medicine.

4. Wait and shake.

For the next 6 weeks, store your jar in a cool, dark place, and shake it vigorously every day (Figure D). Shaking the tincture prevents the plant matter from settling, and exposes more of its surface area to the menstruum. Shake it and then store it; store it and then shake it. Checking on the tincture every day allows you to watch the transformation from green liquid to darker brown.

5. Bottle and label.

After 6 weeks, the tincture is strong and potent. Strain the plant matter from the fluid (Figure E). Then, using a funnel, pour the tincture into a dark glass bottle for long-term storage (Figure F). Vinegar and alcohol tinctures have a very long shelf life. Glycerin tinctures do too, as long as they are refrigerated.

Oh, and don’t forget to make a clear, readable label for this medicine (Figure G). Include the plant name and the parts of the plant used, the menstruum used, and the date the tincture was made.

 

The natural world is Brookelynn Morris’ greatest inspiration. She learned everything she knows about plants and herbs from one of her favorite teachers, her mother-in-law.