NEED HELP WITH TICNTURE!!!!

[Neshama]

HELP ME OUT HERE, LADIES, PLEEEEEEASE!!!!

Okay its not that desperate.
I'm just wondering, how many of you have made your own tinctures? I read in the Encyclopedia of Country living by Carla someone to put 2 oz herbs per pint of vinegar in a mason jar, put in the sun, shake 2ce a day for 2 weeks, then its done.
Well, i've done it all, but now its 2 weeks, and I'm ready to bottle it, but I'm not sure how strong it is. Should I do the typical 30-40 drops 3x a day of it, or more, or less?
how do I know it worked, and I'm not just taking a shot of vinegar? Is there supposed to be powdery weird stuff on your vitex?
anyone have any ideas?
I need my answer before this evening!
THANKS!

[earthgirl]

I make tincture with alcohol. In a dark bottle, stored in a cool dark place, shaken twicw daily for two weeks. The amount depends on how strong I make it and how much herbal stuff I have.

[b'earth angel]

Gee, how did I miss this thread? Oh yeah the 3rd was a doula/baby day!

Okay here's the scoop from ol' Doc. Christopher:
Alcohol (usually vodka) or vinegar tinctures should be made as follows: take apx. 4 ounces ground dried herbs or 8 oz of finely chopped fresh herbs and place them in a glass bottle w/at least 16oz of chosen menstruum. If the herb is not completely submerged, add more. This is tightly capped and each day for 10 days to 2 weeks the bottle is shaken vigorously at least 3X daily or more. Extract all liquids, squeezing the herb residue thougoughly, with a regular juice press, or wring out by hand through cloth, canvas, muslin, etc. Cloth is the least effective because it absorbs much of the liquid. After the liquid is extracted, place the tincture extract in dark or painted bottles, stopper thoroughly and store.
Alcohol is the preferred menstruum where there are resinous or oily herb extracts, glycerine will not dissolve or mix with these.
Taken from the "School of Natural Healing" 20th Anniversary Edition

So what is vitex anyway?? Did you use ground herb? Why did you chose vinegar?

[Neshama]

Vitex... common name is Chaste Tree Berries. I told my naturopath how I made it (using sunlight...) and he said "great! perfect! Use it!" Interesting how most people say "do it THIS way or it wont work!" which is totally different from someone else who says that same thing about THEIR version...
I did vinegar b/c 1) vinegar is really good for you so why not kill 2 birds with one stone, and 2) I had it on hand and 3) that was what was called for in that one recipe I got...
I'm on SO much other stuff now though that its not by biggest concern b/c if THAT dosnt work, CERTAINLY SOMETHING he gave me will... if not, I'm in endometriosis sheol! please no!

[demetria]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neshama HELP ME OUT HERE, LADIES, PLEEEEEEASE!!!! Okay its not that desperate. I'm just wondering, how many of you have made your own tinctures? I read in the Encyclopedia of Country living by Carla someone to put 2 oz herbs per pint of vinegar in a mason jar, put in the sun, shake 2ce a day for 2 weeks, then its done. Well, i've done it all, but now its 2 weeks, and I'm ready to bottle it, but I'm not sure how strong it is. Should I do the typical 30-40 drops 3x a day of it, or more, or less? how do I know it worked, and I'm not just taking a shot of vinegar? Is there supposed to be powdery weird stuff on your vitex? anyone have any ideas? I need my answer before this evening! THANKS!

Generally with a vinegar you can use a 1-2 tablespoons 2-3 times a day.
The powder may be separated fats or other constituents or mold. Make sure you identify it if it is mold.