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Tincture with 4 herbs
I am being asked to make a water/glycerin tincture with several herbs. I am some what confused on how to do several herbs… Do each herb extraction is 1:2 or 1:3 etc? Do I do each herb extraction separately in a water/glycerin solvent. Afterwards doing 4 herbs tinctures do I combine the a portion of the extracts to make a final result?
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5 Replies
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I would say that depends on your technical possibility. if you are able to make a Plant extract yourself with the necessary equipment time and Personal for that you can just extract all 4 together will although already separate some of the plant parts that are not good in Combination
If you don’t have that possibility you can either find an Extraction company that does the extraction of the 4 together for you, or you can find one that gives you access to the plant extract that you need.
Just be aware that sometimes if you mix plant extracts you get some separation of particles and plant parts that react with each other over the first 2 or 3 days. so be sure to Filtrate them after mixing and time to separate.
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Technically you are wanting to make fluid extracts rather than tinctures. Tinctures tend to be 1:5 extracts or lower. 1:3 to 1:1 are fluid extracts and are not as simple to make.
The menstruum (liquid portion) to herb tends to be lower and the herb content much higher - Equal parts herb and menstruum in the case of 1:1 to one part herb to 3 parts menstruum in the case of a 1:3.
The menstruum needs to be appropriate for the herb you are extracting. Some herbs only require 25% ethanol/water, others require 90% ethanol/water. This depends very much on what you are extracting - resins require a higher ethanol content.
The actual technique is too long for me to explain here - just google it if you are determined to make your own extracts.
However, for cosmetic use, the fluid extracts (or tinctures) tend to get evaporated down to remove the ethanol (and maybe some of the water) and then diluted with glycerol.
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Goodness thank you for this information. I am being asked to create this ” glycerin/water tincture” in 4-5 separate herbs. I normally do straight skin care formulation so this is out of my normal scope. I have looked at several videos and you tube. I was wondering if it should try to do each herb separated or do 1:1 all together. Sounds like I should make an extraction for each herb than put them together. I have the understanding on what to do in the videos I just don’t know what would be the best pathway to get get started. I know I have lemon leaves as apart of the 4 herbs. Since lemon is perceived to be strong ..should I make a 1: 1.5 extraction and put this portion in as 1:1? If you know any helpful videos that would be very nice…
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I would suggest you manufacture your extracts separately and combine later; however, be aware that tannins can bind and precipitate alkaloids and also muscilage - for this reason alone you should extract each herb independently - but you also need to be aware that they can still interact once combined as an extract.
To do a 1:1.5 extraction you need 750 g of herb to 1 kg of liquid. Glycerol is not really assisting in extraction - so perhaps max 20% glycerol purely as a preservative. But it would be better to extract with 20% ethanol:water, evaporate to remove the ethanol and a portion of the water and add glycerol to about 50%.
To extract this amount of herb in so little liquid you will need to employ a percolation method - there are enough videos on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-exnzhhcnmQ I can’t find anyone one who doesn’t look like a hippy or a prepper) -and I have not watched the video throughout!) but essentially you need a funnel, or as they have used here, a bottle that has been cut to remove the base, and pack powdered herb into the funnel - with some of the extraction fluid poured on top. Once it has hydrated all the herb, a tap is opened, and remaining liquid added and the herb extract drips out of the bottom. Excess fluid is evaporated off to concentrate the herb extracts precisely.
A similar method is used commercially.
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Thank you again. If you don’t mind I have a few more questions…. I have watched the view. I know I have to do this with Glycerin and water (absolutely no EtOh). I was going to take my leaves and slow cook for 6 hours in a water bath. I don’t believe I will have time to grind the leaves into powder as suggested in the video. Afterwards I was going to let contents strain over cheese cloth. I know the used a cottonball and coffee filters. I was even going to try a use an Erlenmeyer flask with a side arm and vacuum to help pull the contents to strain faster. I hope this makes sense. Are these acceptable?
I am trying to find the “cone” she is using to hold the powder and drip. Where can I get one of these?
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