Herbal - Glycerin Extracts
Lori Herron, R.N.
Fluid extracts are used both to
concentrate and preserve the active ingredients of an herb, enabling it to be used
whenever necessary, i.e. when the herb is out of season.
Fluid extracts are considered by
many herbalists to be the preferred way to preserve water soluble active ingredients. If
possible always use fresh ingredients. When properly made one fluid ounce of fluid
extract equals one ounce of fresh herb. Always use accurate measurements to ensure
consistency and the effect of a given dose.
Equipment needed - Large non metal
or stainless steel pan with lid, water - not city water, heat source, measuring jug,
vegetable glycerine.
Ingredients - In this case, to
produce 4 oz of Dandelion root fluid extract - 4 oz washed fresh Dandelion roots 3 quarts
water (total amount) 2 fluid oz vegetable glycerine
Directions: Chop Dandelion
roots into approx. 1\4 inch pieces. Put into pan with 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil and
then cover pan and allow to simmer until water is reduced to one quart. Take off heat and
strain through a cloth squeezing out all excess liquid.
Place remains of herb back into pan
and add one quart water. Save fluid that was strained and put to one side. Reheat pan to
boil and simmer herbs again with the pan covered until liquid is reduced by half to 1
pint. Strain through a cloth discarding the solid remains.
Now combine the two strained
liquids, return to the large pan and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer until
liquid is reduced to 2 fluid ounces. These will take several hours...
You have now extracted all the water
soluble ingredients from 4 oz of Dandelion roots and concentrated them into 2 oz of fluid.
Remove this liquid from heat and allow to cool. Add 2 oz of vegetable glycerine and mix
well. Pour into a dark glass bottle, stopper tightly and store in a cool place. Treated
with care this fluid extract will last at least one year.
Ed. Note - Glycerine is an essential
fatty acid and is generally a by product of soap manufacturing. It is used as a
preservative and stabilizing agent. Never add glycerine to hot liquids as it is
temperature sensitive and will coagulate. Always mix with cold or warm liquids.
Copyright
1996, 1998 by Lori Herron, R.N.and Alternative Nature
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