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culinary, extracts, food, herbal remedies, how to make extracts, how to make tinctures, information about extracts, information about tinctures, tinctures
Tinctures and extracts and how to use them by chef shelley pogue
Deep South Remedies Helpful Information
What Are Tinctures and Extracts, and what is the difference between the two?
Tinctures and extracts are made usually made by the same process, either in water, oils glycerin or vinegars. The medicinal qualities of a particular herb are extracted by placing the plant matter in a drinkable alcohol, such as vodka or ever-clear if it is a root. Extracts are generally more concentrated than tinctures (1 part herb to 1 part alcohol), whereas tinctures may be more diluted (maybe 1 part herb to 4 parts alcohol). Apple cider vinegar and glycerin are also sometimes used to make tinctures, but these liquids will decrease the shelf-life of your tinctures.
Tinctures are primarily used for medicinal purposes, and extracts are generally used for cooking, since it really concentrates the flavor of the herb or plant. Tinctures are used typically for medical uses, air fresheners, and in beauty products. Tinctures can be used for first aid treatments, headaches and nausea just to name a few. The most well known extract is probably vanilla, though there are myriads of others that can add flavor to your meals. If you ever look on the baking aisle now-a-days there are plenty of flavors, coconut, raspberry, lemon etc. Extracts has many other uses that can be used medicinally and in beauty products.
Tinctures and extracts are usually pretty simple and easy to make. There are a few safety steps if you are going to make your own tinctures or extracts. Make sure you get some books to help you with identifying plant matter if you are going to go it alone out in your neck of the woods. Some plants are very toxic and could make you very ill or even death. Also, be sure that you are using drinkable grain alcohol, not isopropyl or wood alcohol, which is toxic. Always make sure to label each of your tinctures or extracts with its contents and the date it was made.
Some good tincture ideas/combinations
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – Anxiety, insomnia, stomach upsets
California Poppy (Escholzia californica) – Headache, insomnia, tooth pain
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) – Fever, diarrhea, bug repellent Watch out for the neighborhood cats.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) – Externally for cuts, babies, bottoms, scrapes, bruises, bug bites, and other skin irritations
Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) – High blood pressure, gout, cramps, liver problems
Some Herbs and Plants to Use for Extracts:
Vanilla beans – Used in culinary dishes, air freshener, beauty products
Cinnamon – Culinary dishes, medicinal uses, beauty products
Ginger – Culinary dishes, medicinal uses, beauty products
Lemon/Lime – Culinary dishes, air freshener, beauty products
Peppermint – Culinary dishes, beauty products, medicinal uses
Tarragon- Culinary, medicinal uses.
Some good combinations are:
Lavender and Vanilla – Air freshener, beauty products
Valerian and Scullcap – Promotes relaxation, reduces tension, fights insomnia
Ginger, Peppermint, and Cinnamon – Helps with upset stomach and indigestion
Green Tea and Calendula – Acne
Lavender, Catnip, and Lemon Grass – Bug repellent
Echinachea, Thyme, and Cayenne – Cold and flu relief
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