What type of alcohol do you prefer for making tinctures?

I'm curious what types of alcohol folks use for what herbs to make tinctures.  I've heard several different opinions on this--some say everclear, some say vodka or rum, some say vodka for all herbs except leaves for which you'd use brandy.  What do you prefer and why?

I'm curious to know if you can make a tincture with water? Would it have the same medicinal qualities?

For example, if I stuffed a jar full of plaintan or jewel weed & filled it with water, would I have a something I could use on cuts & insect bites?

What else could you use if you didn't have access to alcohol, oils or vinegar?

There is a whole world of information to talk about here! To begin, another thing you can use to make tinctures is food grade glycerin. It's sweet, so great for the kids!
http://www.wildroots.com/herbal.htm

Most alkoloids and chemicals can be activated in water. Others, like tetrahydracanibol, require alcohol or oil. A good google search will turn up the neccasary info. heres a good place to start....
http://medherb.com/

I just saw that I started my post with "I'm curious" the same way Rachael did. Sorry Rachael.

Jeff,

Thanks for the links. I've got a lot of studying to do. It's just that I'm trying to do things myself from resources that are around me (if possible).  I'm going to try the glycerin. I'm also going to start making vinegar again. Or set up the still....

globewoman wrote:

For example, if I stuffed a jar full of plaintan ...

Hi globewoman - "I'm curious"  about the plaintan. I have a bunch of that in my yard and other than knowing its something you can slap on a wound to stop the bleeding, I would be interested to know what a tincture would do? Do you have a recipe you could post? And how long would it keep in the cupboard?

Many thanks!

Monica

monica_jenkins wrote:
Hi globewoman - "I'm curious"  about the plaintan. I have a bunch of that in my yard and other than knowing its something you can slap on a wound to stop the bleeding, I would be interested to know what a tincture would do? Do you have a recipe you could post? And how long would it keep in the cupboard?

Many thanks!

Monica

Hi Monica,

I've not made it yet, but I found a recipe a while back. I thought I saved it but I can't find it now. This is what I remember.

You stuff a jar full of plantain & cover it with olive oil. Leave it in a cool dry place for 3 weeks then remove the plantain.  I guess you could also use alcohol or vinegar instead of oil. You can use it for first aid through the winter. A small jar would probably be enough to last a good while. But I guess that depends how accident prone you are. I'm not really sure what the shelf like would be.

Very cool. I will try it too. My first tincture!

When and how do you use it?

monica_jenkins wrote:
Very cool. I will try it too. My first tincture!

When and how do you use it?

Use it on cuts, scrapes & insect bites.

I purchase organic alcohol from Alchemical Solutions in Oregon. 
In Wash State you need a permit for this, but it is just $5.
I have been crafting herbal preparations for about 13 years now. 
It is a very joyous thing to do. 
With tincture, fresh plants, chop them up well, put them in a jar about 2/3 full packed lightly and pour alcohol over them. (65% alcohol) I let them sit at least six weeks. 
If you don't want to purchase the grain alcohol I would suggest using 100 proof vodka.
This works pretty well.  I don't use glycerin, I have heard that the medicinal components are not released very effectively in it. 
Someone mentioned water infusion. 
In order to extract the medicinal properties from herb in water, the herbs must be dry. 
(There are very few exceptions to this) Then once you have dried the herbs put one ounce of dry herb in a quart jar, then fill with boiling water and let this sit over night.  Strain and drink.....this is herbal infusion.  I drink stinging nettle and oatstraw quite a bit as they are nourishing herbs. 
So much to share here. 
Green Blessings,
Julie

I use Balkan 176 vodka 88% - 176° US proof and my lavender spagyrics work very well for headaches, sleep also aches and pains muscle pylls and tears

From my research I've found that dried herbs are better filled 3/4 then fill to over an inch with the alcohol but it should usually be left 2 alchemical months at least 80 days depending on the herb used and whether its better for cold or hot maceration. Also taking into consideration the astrological birth of your spagyric tincture i.e drawing an astrological birth chart for the picking preparation and creation of the tincture with the celestial bodies and constellations for what you are making like sign of cancer for dissolution which is a water sign and good aspects from Mercury if using lavender which is best done with cold maceration.