Easy tinctures

Jul 28, 2021 07:26:41

I’m fairly new to tincture making and wanted to post about it. I hope it will be helpful to many and a good reference for me.
I started growing aronia berries four years ago and got a decent yield last season. I planted them for their long list of purported medicinal qualities but figured they'd be good eating as well. They’re not. Even the ripest berries are slightly bitter with the profound ability to dry the mouth and throat.
Last season I was able to make two pint jars and used one completely. The tincture has a better taste than my elderberry but is still helped by some local honey. This year I’m adding lemon balm to all my tinctures for its benefits and taste.
Here’s what I’m doing. Fresh, clean berries and lemon balm leaves and packed into a jar and mashed. More are added and mashed. When the jar is nearly full I add 100 proof vodka to cover. Give an occasional shake and strain in six weeks. I’ll be trying it with honey and dried marshmallow root in tea for any cold symptoms this winter.

Jul 28, 2021 07:35:54

i like aronia fresh, but i don’t mind some bitterness in my foods. just an fyi, aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) is referred to as black chokeberry, which is different from choke cherry (Prunus virginiana).

Jul 28, 2021 08:45:16

Scott, have you tinctured lemonbalm before?

You might label your tincture: "Do not drive after using"

Jul 28, 2021 08:58:34

I have, but mostly mixed with other things. My favorite was milky oat/lemon balm. I also blended it with spilanthes to make it more palatable. No worries about driving. I only use these once I’m home in the evening.

Jul 29, 2021 07:23:40

I also made a hop tincture last year. I give my hops to a friend who brews beer but I had an odd amount. It roughly takes seventy two cascade hops to make an oz. When I was finished I had forty some leftover.
I used the same recipe as with the aronia berries. Cover with vodka for six weeks and strain.
It works really well for frayed nerves and an upset tummy.

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