Can we make herbal tinctures with 40% (80 proof) spirits alcohol?

The ways we prepare the blessed plants we gather and grow, after harvest, brings out their different medicinal, and culinary qualities. Whilst vinegar or glycerin can be used, herbal tinctures, are often made with a 'menstruum' that's a blend of alcohol and water. So drawing out the parts of the plant which are soluble in both these mediums. They are concentrated, so small doses can be enough, and the alcohol acts to preserve them, meaning they have a longer shelf life than say, infusions or teas.

In Australia, most 'spirits' we buy at the bottleshop are 37.5%, lets say 40%. It can be very difficult, to access 100 proof (50% alcohol ), or 200 proof (around 95%) grain alcohol (ethanol). You definitely can't just rock up to the local pub for them as you need.

Wise woman ways, or Folkloric traditions tend to use 100 proof Vodka or Brandy, where as commercially prepared tinctures you buy, are generally made using grain alcohol, or ethanol. When using dried plants, the ethanol is generally then diluted with water, to varying ratio's.

Does this mean, this way of working with green folks to make medicine is out of reach of many? A recent experience got me pondering this...

At my medicine cupboard, I came across a Chickweed tincture, Stellaria media, I'd made in a situation where all I'd had access to, was a bottle of 40% alcohol Vodka. Made with the fresh plants tops, not dried, she's a juicy one too. It was dated 2014. As a treat, I pulled out some fancy crystal, poured myself a glass and tasted her. It's simply Vodka right? Totally fine. I tried a Nettle one. Totally fine. Hhhmm....

I opened up Richio Cech's, ' Making Plant Medicines' (page 20)....

"As a menstruum for dry herbs, make "diluted alcohol" by combining one part by volume of grain alcohol with one part by volume of distilled water. If grain alcohol is not available to you, then forget adding water and just use the highest proof spirits you can find. The alcohol you use for dry tinctures must be at least 40 proof (20% pure alcohol) or you risk the possability that the extract will not be adequately preserved.

As a menstruum for fresh herbs, use grain alcohol without adding water. If grain alcohol is not available to you, then just use the highest proof alcohol you can find. The alcohol you use for fresh tinctures must be at least 80 proof (40% pure alcohol) or you risk the possability that your finished extract will not be preserved. Always choose spirits that do not contain a lot of flavouring additives. A tincture works best when it tastes like the herb, not some other flavouring agent that was in the alcohol to start with."

The other tangent I've been exploring is 'preserving' foods. Alcohol is used with things like fruit, fill jar with fruit, cover with Brandy mmm. Elderberries anyone? In 'The River Cottage Preserves Handbook', by Pam Corbin, she writes that 'alcohol is a very useful preserving medium, but to function effectively, it must be in the form of a spirit that is at least 40 percent alcohol (80 proof). Gin, vodka, rum, brandy and whiskey, are all suitable.' Shelf life is given as 3 years for preserves using 40% alcohol. Not bad, the Chickyweed tincture I'd had was 4 years old, and still had her abundant greenery floating in it!

I'm putting this out there for feedback. Totally love to hear from you if you have comments or experiences! With the seeds coming up in our garden, these ideas are also emerging....

Removing a psych med from my Medicine pouch....

 

Travelling the roads of this life has seen me carry in my medicine pouch, amongst the herbs, stones, fur, bones and feathers... psychiatric medications. If you judge this, feel free, at times I do the same! The medical model has only been the dominant paradigm in Western culture for some hundred years or more. It has at times assumed it alone is the most well aligned, yet healing wise folks have been working with peoples distress through time and place, using many strategies around the way one lives on planet Earth. In my current journey to taper off one med, a benzodiazepine family drug, originally prescribed for panic attacks I'm calling out deep to all kinds of resources, including herbal allies.

I'm naming the feelings I'm getting in my body as I taper down, 'restlessness'. A restlessness which is at its worst for the first days, being neither comfortable nor easy. I'm walking. When the adrenaline begins to rise, so do my feet. We're lucky enough to dwell near bush and beach, where I can put one foot in front of the other amidst nature for a goodly span of time with relative ease. Often when I begin there's a lot going on with my thoughts as well as in my body (surprise, surprise!). If I can keep moving, generally they reach a still or quiet point. As a counter to their content I may offer prayers, blessings and slightly out of tune song, honouring the landscape that supports me in its beauty, and my own  reemerging voice.

At times I may have a moment and need to do a couple of round the blocks, or blockies to shift through it. Also we're swimming in the ocean, and I'm practicing tai chi. I'm lucky enough to be with a wonderfully supportive partner, something I have great appreciation for, and which I hadn't forseen happening a few years back. Doing this work is hard enough, gather your Kin in spirit and flesh and let them in on this.

"Many people report having to "re-learn" how to cope with difficult emotions when they come off psychiatric drugs."

                     from Harm Reduction Guide (see Resources)

  

Thing is about these processes, we may have previously been forced, or even from a place of empathy been advised, without full understanding, to suppress symptoms to ease our intense distress, but when we have then been on and reduce pharmaceuticals, it rises up and comes back to haunt us. This can suck, and also be dangerous.  I am working with a psychiatrist, and my Gp, on doseage issues and timing so far.

  

Working with the herbs as a deeply embedded part of our lifestyle, wildcrafting or growing, and making medicine from them, is a reclamation of our mental, indeed whole health, as we learn to take back our power and how to nourish different states with their help. These plants are beings of compassionate and giving natures when treated with respect. Their assistance can ease distress states and form a bridge to the natural world, a world feeling as much suffering and new growth as we are.

Motherwort (Leonuris cardiaca) who I met, grew, and tinctured, several years ago, has become an indispensable ally to turn to in this process. Having a cup or two of Motherwort allows me to feel 'held' in her soothing embrace, but like her flowers as they mature there is also maternal protectiveness. I am drinking 3 or 4 small teapots a day, using 2 teaspoons of dried herb brewed for 10-15 minutes.

  

Her fresh plant tincture is great for a quick response to anxiety or panic, however I find I'm calling more on the dried herb tea. It feels like she is building up my reserves of resilience whilst also answering the call of that restlessness in my body with a responsive calming effect. I now find her somewhat bitter taste goes down just fine, as I know the ease she will bring.

                                                             young Motherwort plant.....

  

I am also currently connecting with Rose, in particular at this time, Rosa centifolia. The tincture of which I made (gleefully) from a stash of dried pink petals, when I read words from herbalist Kiva Rose saying that this is how to bring out her best qualities in this form of medicine. I find her gentle but potent touch, good heart chakra healing for depression or grief, and having a flower essence like energy. I feel she works to help heal past wounding and scar tissue that may be triggered in the now, whilst encouraging one to 'take heart' or find courage. I have been taking 5 drops twice a day.

  

Then there are nourishing herbal infusions a la Susun Weed. Nettle (Urtica dioica)and Oat straw (Avena sativa) mostly, as they both nourish the nervous system. Nettle brings me right home to the present earthy moment, whilst giving minerals to nourish the nervous system. Oatstraw, and oats, strengthen the nerves, soothing frazzled edges. I'd had a pause in these but have picked up the thread again, and a couple of 2 litre canning jars to prepare the brews.

Just as the exercise and herbs combine in a beautiful way to build up resilience, empowerment and allow nourishing through some of the states I am experiencing, spiritual practices I am engaging with are deepening.

As we reduce medications, we need to simultaneously build up the contents of our medicine pouch. I hope this process will give me ways to continue tapering the pharmaceuticals, yes, but in the process and perhaps more importantly, recover more aliveness....

  

Resources:

'Ease your Mind: Herbs for Mental Health' by Janet Kent

 available for $US5 post paid from Medicine County Herbs, 2014.

 http://www.medicinecountyherbs.com/

  

The Ashton Manual

https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/

The Harm Reduction Guide to Coming Off Psychiatric Drugs

Published by The Icarus Project and Freedom Centre,

http://www.willhall.net/files/ComingOffPsychDrugsHarmReductGuide2Edonline.pdf

Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica....

Nettle is the epitomy of all the 'good stuff' thats in leafy greens that led to mothers repeatedly asking us to 'eat your greens'. She contains chlorophyll, calcium, chromium, magnesium, zinc, abundant iron, manganese, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, protein, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, vitamins A, K and C. She can rebuild damaged adrenals, and nourishes the nervous system, creating earthed energy and endurance with regular drinking of her leaves and stems as an infusion (a strong tea brewed for 4 hours or more) or tincture. She helps build strengthened systems and cells. When you are exhausted or drained all the time and reaching for anotha cup of coffee, why not get to know sista nettle...

"At one time the nettlebed was a characteristic feature of an English country garden and highly treasured for its riches of protein, minerals and vitamins. Nettles were traditionally taken as a spring tonic in the form of soup or tea, as they were said to purify the blood- no doubt they did, too being the first green vegetable to appear after the long winter's diet of salted meat. Their cultivation was part of a natural plant rotation and they were sold in 18th century markets as a vegetable. Victorian cookbooks include nettles as a matter of course and it is only in recent years, in the hey-day of the supermarket, that they have been forgotten. They make a tasty vegetable and have the advantage of being available throughout the growing season. When cut back they re-grow vigorously within a few weeks"
Rosamond Richardson in Hedgerow Cookery
Wild Nettle Greens, Mayonaisse and Poached egg on toast Nettle greens to steam Mayonaisse 200-250ml a mild tasting oil, vegetable oil is good 1 egg A tablespoon of apple cider vinegar  A half teaspoon of mustard  Beat egg in a blender on high, add the vinegar and mustard and blend. Add a pinch of salt and sugar. Trick is to add the oil slowly beating in between. To thicken, if it’s too runny, add more oil.                                                    ********************************* While your eggs are poaching, steam your greens. Get you toast and layer on mayonnaise, greens and then eggs on top. A bit of salt and cracked pepper and its breakfast time....

 "Nettles are so well known that they need no description. They may be found, by feeling, in the darkest night."
               Nicholas Culpeper (1561)

 'Stinging' nettle is so named for the small hairs that cover the underside of the leaves and stem of the plant, tipped in formic acid, serotonin and histamine. Nettles most dramatic use is for 'urtication', where the hairs are brushed over arthritic or swollen joints to draw blood to the area. A lady asked if she could try using some nettles from our patch for her mother, for just this reason. She had relief from pain that had bothered her for years. Once you come to know nettles softer sides, her 'sting'  is a call to awareness, a buzzing heat guiding you as you harvest.

The Green Woman....