Making Extracts

[yotetrapper]

Does anyone know how to make extracts of herbs at home?

[Junie]

I fill a jar with whatever herb, fruit, seed, or citrus peel I'd like to make an extract from, then add enough vodka to cover the herbs. Cover and set in a cool, dark place for about 6 weeks. I shake the jar once in a while. After the 6 weeks is up, I strain it, put it into a clean jar and store it at room temperature.

[bookwormom]

that's the way. except that I always learned to put it in a warm place, shake every day and start, if possible, on the full moon so it can do it's best work in the dark of the moon.

[fancy1]

That's the way I do it, covering with vodka and letting it set for a few weeks. I do this with good vanilla beans, citrus peels and herbs. I have a jar of vanilla extract that I've left the beans in, just dipped out what I needed then replaced a little vodka from time to time. It's been my steady source for a couple of years now.

[bookwormom]

where do you get the beans at? I wish we could grow vanilla.

[fancy1]

The whole vanilla beans I found locally were very expensive. SO, I searched online and found the best deal on ebay. I was able to get a dozen good, fresh beans for what a couple would have been locally. I was a little hesitant at first, but very happy when they arrived in great shape and fresh.

[Prairie]

I know a guy who makes extracts from herbs (I'd prefer not to say what kind), and he uses alcohol as the solvent, but stores it in the freezer while soaking, not a warm place. He is going for the essential oils, not the water or chlorophyll.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I fill a jar with whatever herb, fruit, seed, or citrus peel I'd like to make an extract from, then add enough vodka to cover the herbs. Cover and set in a cool, dark place for about 6 weeks. I shake the jar once in a while. After the 6 weeks is up, I strain it, put it into a clean jar and store it at room temperature.

I had no idea it was that simple.

[yotetrapper]

Thanks all. Think I'm gonna try making some spearmint and peppermint extract!

[KarenBC]

I need to have some vodka at hand for next growing season!

[Dame]

It might be worth checking the local laws to see if producing the alcohal at home is legal when it is to only be used for extraction purposes.

[CarolAnn]

I also make my own extracts, and use Everclear. (200 proof) If I don't have that, anything will do: rum, whiskey, whatever has a high alcohol content. It only takes a couple of ounces for most extracts, enough to cover the herb or pulverized root.

Bookwormom - about growing the beans - I've read that the leaves are highly toxic or irritating to the skin, but when I googled it, I didn't find a think about this! (So maybe I'm not remembering it right...) However, I did not know that the vanilla bean plant is actually an orchid. There are loads of sites that tell how to grow your own vanilla beans! I was surprised.
http://www.essortment.com/home/gardenplantsgr_syjg.htm
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/how-to-grow-vanilla-4279.html
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tropical/msg0508070429191.html
http://www.orchidsasia.com/vanilla.htm

They're tropical so you'd need a greenhouse or bright inside room to try it.

[debbie-bountiful]

I just made a batch of valerian root with 100 percent vodka. I made it in themiddle of September so it has been 8 or 9 weeks. Haven't strained it yet. Is it still good not strained? Never made it before. Also, how much do you take of it for it to work. Is it stronger this way than say by making pill form out of it?

[megintn]

Here is a great article on making tinctures. Susun's site has a treasure trove of helpful information on many uses of herbs.

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/May04/healingwise.htm

[megintn]

Teas are the most dilute form of using herbs for medicine.

Infusions are more effective and are a very strong tea. 1 oz by weight into a quart mason jar, pour boiling water over the plant material, steep at least 4 hours, best steeped over night, then refrigerate, use within 36 hours.

Tinctures are the most powerful and usually are used short term.

I store all my alcohol based tinctures in mason jars in a kitchen cabinet and let them extract a minimum of 6 weeks. The longer they extract the better. I have read that leaving them up to a year is fine too.

The extraction process depends on the plant. Some herbs must be extracted using alcohol while many can be extracted with oils or water, depends on what you are trying to make.

Many herbalists agree that dried, capsule forms of herbs are the least effective.

I drink a quart of Nettle infusion a day as a whole body tonic. Nettle is very high in protein and contains almost all of the vitamins and minerals the body needs.