update on tincture-mania
Apr 26, 2009 
So after reading this lovely book, I have fallen down the rabbit hole of salves and tinctures (as an aside, I love these two words. Especially tincture. It sounds so jingley-jangley-happy-witchcrafty). I creaked open the doors, and now I realize this world is a very deep and musky cupboard. My excitement is growing for making all kinds of weird, woodsy concoctions, decanting them into glass jars, crafting up some hand-drawn labels, and handing them out as holiday gifts.
But first things first. It turns out that you need to dry herbs because the water in fresh ones can harbor pesky bacteria, so I’ve converted our kitchen windows into drying zones for the two wild herbs I’m starting with: Rosemary from the backyard, and wild fennel gathered at a nearby park. I’m envisioning some kind of spicy-heady salve. As they dry, I can’t stop looking at things like this. Granted, there's some wacky concoctions out there, but Wonder Syrup, are you kidding me? I need some of that. And who knew there was a wellspring of urban homesteading so close to me? This apothecary business could be dangerous, people. Have you tried any of this?
apothocary, tinctures in make
Reader Comments (6)
I've tried making a tincture from St. John's Wort that I harvest from my backyard and along a local rail trail. I hung it up, dried it out, then soaked it in alcohol for a couple months and it's great. Do be careful what you do, everything in moderation and think before you use it. Atleast with tinctures, the alcohol you are soaking the herb in will kill anything you may be afraid of!
The Institute of Urban Homesteading looks amazing! I wish I had something like that near me. Instead, I'm relying on my beekeeping neighbors and books from the library.
I make my own lip balm, and this weekend I made deodorant (based on Angry Chicken's recipe). I have grand plans to dye some hemp silk with herbal dyes made with the St. John's Wort that grows all over my back yard. The jury's still out on whether or not this will actually happen.
As soon as I saw the book in your other post I went to the site and bought myself a copy. It then arrived here in Canada last week. I still haven't made anything from it but I can't wait to start.
I've made facial oils that are better than any other store-bought potion for my face. I've also made a Damiana love potion! Very tasty!
Making tinctures and salves is just pure magic really. It's so much fun and so much cheaper then buying it in the store. You can make a quart of tincture for the amount of money you spend on a little 2oz bottle in the store. I've been training as an herbalist for a while now and have made plenty of tinctures with fresh herbs. For most plants I actually prefer them fresh. The trick is keeping all the parts of the plants under the alcohol so they don't have an opportunity to go rancid. A good trick is to put some rocks on top to keep the plants pushed down. Have fun!
I love your blog, it's so beautiful! And being a fellow bay area resident I totally appreciate your picnic commitment.