Herbal Apothecary 101: Distillates, Hydrosols and Tinctures

By Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox
June/July 2009
Apothecary6
Image Gallery
Health made simple: A few herbs and you in your kitchen, preparing medicines with simple techniques as ancient as time.
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

Distillates and hydrosols: the aromatic liquids that remain after essential oils have been distilled from plants.

RELATED CONTENT

We use distillates in herbal preparations, in spritzers as a skin freshener, and if we are sure of the source (if we make them ourselves or know the maker), in culinary recipes and beverages. If the distillate is made with a non-culinary herb—for instance, clary sage—we do not ingest it.  

Tinctures: plant extracts preserved with diluted alcohol or glycerin.

The folk method for tincturing is to cover a single, powdered dried herb with 80-proof vodka or other spirits in a clean, labeled glass jar. Fresh, crushed plant material should be covered with 90-proof alcohol because the water contained in the fresh plant dilutes the tincture. The tincture is shaken twice daily. The herb macerates for two days to six weeks. The amount of time is determined by the texture of the herb (whether it is root, bark or leaf). Hard, dense plant material like roots and bark generally takes longer than dried leaves.

Susan Belsinger and Tina Marie Wilcox use herbs every day in and around their homes and greenhouses. Some of this article’s information and recipes are from their book The Creative Herbal Home (Herbspirit, 2007).

Click here for the original article, Herbal Apothecary 101.


Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print


Comments

  • Raymond Chandler 6/3/2009 2:13:14 PM

    I’ve actually also found that hydrosols work great on acne and sunburns, because it balances out the pH in your skin. I get all of my hydrosols at www.handsonaromatherapy.com

2147483833
MY COMMUNITY

MOST POPULAR


Pay Now & Save 58% off the Cover Price
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*


(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Subscribe to The Herb Companion

Your guide to the many uses and even more pleasures of nature's most helpful plants!

The Herb Companion is the smart and easy complement to your own healthy, vibrant lifestyle! In every issue you'll find information on using herbs to:

  • Transform simple dishes into spectacular meals
  • Make gardens as useful as they are beautiful
  • Replace harsh chemicals with natural alternatives
  • Help find fulfillment, balance and good health
  • And much more!

Yes, send me a one-year subscription (6 issues) to The Herb Companion. I'll pay just $19.95.

Save Even More Money By Paying NOW!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our Earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. You save an additional $5.00 and get 6 issues of The Herb Companion for only $14.95 (USA only).