Tincture - definition of tincture by The Free Dictionary Tincture - definition of tincture by The Free Dictionary Related to tincture: Iodine tincture tinc·ture 1. A coloring or dyeing substance; a pigment. 2. An imparted color; a tint. 3. A quality that colors, pervades, or distinguishes. 4. A trace or vestige: "a faint tincture of condescension" (Robert Craft). 5. An alcohol solution of a nonvolatile medicine: tincture of iodine. 6. Heraldry A metal, color, or fur. tr.v. tinc·tured, tinc·tur·ing, tinc·tures 1. To stain or tint with a color. 2. To infuse, as with a quality; impregnate. [Middle English, from Latin tīnctūra, a dyeing, from tīnctus, past participle of tingere, to dye.] tincture 1. (Pharmacology) pharmacol a medicinal extract in a solution of alcohol 2. (Colours) a tint, colour, or tinge 3.

a slight flavour, aroma, or trace 4. (Heraldry) any one of the colours or either of the metals used on heraldic arms 5. (Dyeing) obsolete a dye or pigment vb (tr) to give a tint or colour to [C14: from Latin tinctūra a dyeing, from tingere to dye] tinc•ture (ˈtɪŋk tʃər) n., v. -tured, -tur•ing. n. 1. a solution of alcohol or of alcohol and water, containing animal, vegetable, or chemical drugs. 2. a slight infusion, as of some element or quality; smattering; trace; tinge: a tincture of irony. 3. any of various heraldic colors, metals, or furs. 4. a dye or pigment. v.t. 6. to imbue or infuse with something.

[1350–1400; Middle English: dye < Latin tīnctūra dyeing] tincture I will have been tincturing you will have been tincturing he/she/it will have been tincturing we will have been tincturing you will have been tincturing they will have been tincturing Past Perfect Continuous 1. tincture - a substances that colors metals coloring material , colour , colouring material , color - any material used for its color; "she used a different color for the trim" argent - a metal tincture used in heraldry to give a silvery appearance 2. tincture - an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of condescension" vestige , trace , shadow footprint - a trace suggesting that something was once present or felt or otherwise important; "the footprints of an earlier civilization" indicant , indication - something that serves to indicate or suggest; "an indication of foul play"; "indications of strain"; "symptoms are the prime indicants of disease" 3.

tincture - a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color; "after several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted" color , coloring , colouring , colour - a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect; "a white color is made up of many different wavelengths of light" mellowness - a soft shade of a color; "a mellowness of light and shade not attainable in marble" richness - a strong deep vividness of hue; "the fire-light gave a richness of coloring to that side of the room" tinge , undertone - a pale or subdued color 4. tincture - (pharmacology) a medicine consisting of an extract in an alcohol solution medicament , medication , medicinal drug , medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease tincture of iodine , iodine - a tincture consisting of a solution of iodine in ethyl alcohol; applied topically to wounds as an antiseptic materia medica , pharmacological medicine , pharmacology - the science or study of drugs: their preparation and properties and uses and effects arnica - used especially in treating bruises Verb 1.

Tincture | Define Tincture at Dictionary.com tincture noun 1. Pharmacology. a solution of alcohol or of alcohol and water, containing animal, vegetable, or chemical drugs. 2. a slight infusion, as of some element or quality: A tincture of education had softened his rude manners. 3. a trace; a smack or smattering; tinge : a tincture of irony. 4. Heraldry. any of the colors, metals, or furs used for the fields, charges, etc., of an escutcheon or achievement of arms. 5. verb (used with object), tinctured, tincturing. 6. to impart a tint or color to; tinge . 7. to imbue or infuse with something. Origin of tincture 1350-1400; Middle English: dye < Latin tīnctūra dyeing. See tinct , -ure Related forms Examples from the Web for tincture Expand Historical Examples Unquestionably the best of all of these is tincture of iodine, a small amount of which should be poured directly into the wound. The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines T. H.

Pardo de Tavera Time is required for man to receive the tincture of the atmosphere, and still more for the earth to transmit its qualities to him. Buffon's Natural History. Volume IX (of 10) Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon A tincture for the gums may be made of three ounces of the tincture of bark, and half an ounce of sal ammoniac, mixed together. The Memoires of Casanova, Complete Jacques Casanova de Seingalt Bruise three ounces of cloves, steep them for ten days in a quart of brandy, and strain off the tincture through a flannel sieve. St. Cuthbert's Robert E. Knowles British Dictionary definitions for tincture Expand (pharmacol) a medicinal extract in a solution of alcohol 2. a tint, colour, or tinge 3. a slight flavour, aroma, or trace 4. any one of the colours or either of the metals used on heraldic arms 5.

(obsolete) a dye or pigment verb (transitive) to give a tint or colour to Word Origin C14: from Latin tinctūra a dyeing, from tingere to dye Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for tincture Expand n. c.1400, from Latin tinctura "act of dyeing or tingeing," from tinctus "dye," past participle of tingere "to tinge, dye, moisten, soak," from PIE root *teng- "to soak" (cf. Old High German dunkon "to soak," Greek tengein "to moisten"). Meaning "solution of medicine in a mixture of alcohol" is first recorded 1640s. The verb is recorded from 1610s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Tincture of time - definition of Tincture of time by The Free Dictionary Tincture of time - definition of Tincture of time by The Free Dictionary 1. A coloring or dyeing substance; a pigment. 2. An imparted color; a tint. 3. A quality that colors, pervades, or distinguishes. 4. A trace or vestige: "a faint tincture of condescension" (Robert Craft). 5. An alcohol solution of a nonvolatile medicine: tincture of iodine. 6. Heraldry A metal, color, or fur. tr.v. tinc·tured, tinc·tur·ing, tinc·tures 1. To stain or tint with a color. 2. To infuse, as with a quality; impregnate. [Middle English, from Latin tīnctūra, a dyeing, from tīnctus, past participle of tingere, to dye.] tincture 1. (Pharmacology) pharmacol a medicinal extract in a solution of alcohol 2.

(Colours) a tint, colour, or tinge 3. a slight flavour, aroma, or trace 4. (Heraldry) any one of the colours or either of the metals used on heraldic arms 5. (Dyeing) obsolete a dye or pigment vb (tr) to give a tint or colour to [C14: from Latin tinctūra a dyeing, from tingere to dye] tinc•ture (ˈtɪŋk tʃər) n., v. -tured, -tur•ing. n. 1. a solution of alcohol or of alcohol and water, containing animal, vegetable, or chemical drugs. 2. a slight infusion, as of some element or quality; smattering; trace; tinge: a tincture of irony. 3. any of various heraldic colors, metals, or furs. 4. a dye or pigment. v.t. 6. to imbue or infuse with something.

[1350–1400; Middle English: dye < Latin tīnctūra dyeing] tincture I will have been tincturing you will have been tincturing he/she/it will have been tincturing we will have been tincturing you will have been tincturing they will have been tincturing Past Perfect Continuous 1. tincture - a substances that colors metals coloring material , colour , colouring material , color - any material used for its color; "she used a different color for the trim" argent - a metal tincture used in heraldry to give a silvery appearance 2. tincture - an indication that something has been present; "there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim"; "a tincture of condescension" vestige , trace , shadow footprint - a trace suggesting that something was once present or felt or otherwise important; "the footprints of an earlier civilization" indicant , indication - something that serves to indicate or suggest; "an indication of foul play"; "indications of strain"; "symptoms are the prime indicants of disease" 3.

tincture - a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color; "after several trials he mixed the shade of pink that she wanted" color , coloring , colouring , colour - a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect; "a white color is made up of many different wavelengths of light" mellowness - a soft shade of a color; "a mellowness of light and shade not attainable in marble" richness - a strong deep vividness of hue; "the fire-light gave a richness of coloring to that side of the room" tinge , undertone - a pale or subdued color 4. tincture - (pharmacology) a medicine consisting of an extract in an alcohol solution medicament , medication , medicinal drug , medicine - (medicine) something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease tincture of iodine , iodine - a tincture consisting of a solution of iodine in ethyl alcohol; applied topically to wounds as an antiseptic materia medica , pharmacological medicine , pharmacology - the science or study of drugs: their preparation and properties and uses and effects arnica - used especially in treating bruises Verb 1.

Tincture Recipes: Making Home Remedies Making Home Remedies by Filip Tkaczyk Looking for some great tincture recipes to help you heal and stay healthy? For starters, tincture is typically an alcoholic extract of plants for use as medicine. The alcohol acts as a solvent, extracting primarily the medicinal components such as alkaloids, glycosides, minerals, and essential oils. Other solvents can be used in place of alcohol, such as vinegar or glycerin, though they are typically less effective at extracting medicinal constituents of plants. Most alcohols consist of a percentage of pure alcohol (ethanol) while the rest is water. The alcohol extracts substances that water cannot extract and vice-versa. Therefore, it is often important to know what percentages of alcohol/water is necessary for the particular plant and medicinal properties you wish to extract. A few important notes in making any tincture: Make sure that you only use plants that are non-toxic and safe for human use. If you do not know the plants you are working with, research them thoroughly before hand. Use only alcohol made for human consumption as your tincture base. Clear vodkas are one of the easiest forms to use for tincture base.

Ideally, acquire a grain alcohol that is 95% alcohol (190 proof) and dilute it as necessary. Make sure that the alcohol covers the plant material fully. Do not leave any plant material exposed to the air. Tinctures are meant to be used as medicine in small amounts. Once made, put them into small dropper bottles and add a little bit to your tea, juice, water or directly into your mouth when needed. For most tincture recipes, you will want to let your tincture sit for about two weeks. Then you will need to strain it and pour it into your preferred containers. Tincture Recipes: Burdock Root Burdock (Arctium spp.) is known as both an edible root and a useful medicine that assists liver function, digestion, and skin health. It is high in iron and a vast array of other minerals. Burdock tincture is typically made from either the fresh or dried roots. Here is what you need to do: Clean and cut up several fresh roots.

Put them in a clean container (preferably glass) Use a vodka that has 50% alcohol content (also known as 100 proof) Add the alcohol at a 2:1 ratio (i.e. 2 cups of vodka to 1 cup of fresh roots) If you are using dried roots, use a 5 to 1 ratio instead (i.e. 5 cups of vodka to 1 cup of dried roots) Tincture Recipes: Dandelion Tincture Like burdock, dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is both an edible and medicinal plant. Dandelion is rich in protein, potassium, inulin, iron and trace minerals. You can use the fresh or dried leaves and roots. Clean and cut up several fresh roots and/or leaves Put them in a clean container Use a vodka that has 45% alcohol content (also known as 90 proof) Add the alcohol at a 2:1 ratio (i.e. 2 cups of vodka to 1 cup of fresh leaves/roots) If you are using dried leaves/roots, use a 5 to 1 ratio instead (i.e.

5 cups of vodka to 1 cup of dried leaves/roots) Tincture Recipes: Stinging Nettle Although stinging nettle is known to many mainly for its itchy stings, it is an amazing medicinal and edible plant. Nettles are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, and trace minerals. Cut fresh or shred dried plants Put them in a clean container Use a vodka that has 50% alcohol content (also known as 100 proof) Add the alcohol at a 2:1 ratio (i.e. 2 cups of vodka to 1 cup of plant materials) There is a wide variety of tincture recipes out there. Just about any medicinal plant can be made into a tincture. Whether to maintain or boost health, tinctures are a simple and accessible way to get started making your own at home medicines. Additional Resources A Modern Herbal | Senna [ Top ] ---Constituents--- Water and diluted alcohol extract the active principles of Senna. Pure alcohol only extracts them imperfectly. The leaves yield about one-third of their weight to boiling water.

The purgative constituents are closely allied to those of Aloes and Rhubarb, the activities of the drug being largely due to anthraquinone derivatives and their glucosides. It contains rhein, aloe-emedin, kaempferol, isormamnetin, both free and as glucosides together with myricyl alcohol, etc. The ash amounts to about 8 per cent, consisting chiefly of earthy and ashy carbonates. The active purgative principle was discovered in 1866. It is a glucoside of weak acid character, and was named Cathartic Acid. By boiling its alcoholic solution with acids it yields Cathartogenic Acid and sugar. There were also found Chrysophanic Acid, Sennacrol and Sennapicrin, and a peculiar non-fermentable saccharine principle which was named Cathartomannite or Sennit. The conclusions reached after experimenting with Senna leaves washed with alcohol were as follows: (1) Strong spirit does not remove any of the active principle from Senna leaves.

(2) The therapeutic action of cathartic acid is assisted by one or more of the constituents yielded by Senna to strong alcohol, though these constituents produce no purgative effect when taken alone. (3) Senna exhausted by alcohol is a reliable and pleasant purgative, but somewhat weaker in its action than the unexhausted leaves. Many substances produce precipitates with the infusion of Senna, but they may remove only inert ingredients, and not be really incompatible medicinally. Cathartic acid is precipitated by infusion of galls and solution of lead subacetate. Lead acetate and tartar emetic, which disturb the infusion, have no effect upon a solution of this substance. Cathartin is the name of a mixture of the salts of cathartic acid which may be used in doses of from 3 to 6 grains. Sennax is the name applied to the watersoluble glucoside of Senna, marketed in tablets containing 0.75 gram each. [ Top ] ---Medicinal Action and Uses--- Purgative. Its action being chiefly on the lower bowel, it is especially suitable in habitual costiveness.

It increases the peristaltic movements of the colon by its local action upon the intestinal wall. Its active principle must pass out of the system in the secretions unaltered, for when Senna is taken by nurses, the suckling infant becomes purged. It acts neither as a sedative nor as a refrigerant, but has a slight, stimulating influence. In addition to the nauseating taste, it is apt to cause sickness, and griping pains, so that few can take it alone; but these characteristics can be overcome or removed, when it is well adapted for children, elderly persons, and delicate women. The colouring matter is absorbable, and twenty or thirty minutes after the ingestion of the drug it appears in the urine, and may be recognized by a red colour on the addition of ammonia. The addition of cloves, ginger, cinnamon, or other aromatics are excellent correctives of the nauseous effects. A teaspoonful of cream of tartar to a teacupful of the decoction of infusion of Senna, is a mild and pleasant cathartic, well suited for women if required soon after delivery. Some practitioners add neutral laxative salts, or saccharine and aromatic substances.

The purgative effect is increased by the addition of pure bitters; the decoction of guaiacum is said to answer a similar purpose. Senna is contraindicated in an inflammatory condition of the alimentary canal, hemorrhoids, prolapsus, ani, etc. The well-known 'black draught' is a combination of Senna and Gentian, with any aromatic, as cardamom or coriander seeds, or the rind of the Seville orange. The term 'black draught,' it is stated, should never be used, as mistakes have been made in reading the prescriptions, and 'black drop' or vinegar of opium has been given instead, several deaths having been caused in this way. SENNA PODS, or the dried, ripe fruits, are official in the British Pharmacopceia, though the quantity is restricted, as an adulterant, in the United States Pharmacopoeia. They are milder in their effects than the leaflets, as the griping is largely due to the resin, and the pods contain none, but have about 25 per cent more cathartie acid and emodin than the leaves, without volatile oil.

From 6 to 12 pods for the adult, or from 3 to 6 for the young or very aged, infused in a claret-glass of cold water, act mildly but thoroughly upon the whole intestine. The fluid extract was formerly treated with alcohol for the removal of the griping principles, but the process was deleted from the United States Pharmacopoeia. The fluid extract is a dark, blackish, thick and somewhat turbid liquid, with a strong flavour of Senna. It is well adapted for exhibition with saline cathartics, such as Epsom salt or cream of tartar. In this ease not more than half the full dose should be given at once. The British Pharmacopoeia 1898 'Liquor Sennae Concentratus' was more like a concentrated infusion than a fluid extraet, but had the same strength as the latter, the menstrum being distilled water; tincture of ginger and alcohol being added. The infusion of Senna, or Senna Tea, consists of 100 grams of Senna leaves, 5 grams of sliced Ginger, 1,000 millilitres of distilled water, boiling.

Infuse in a covered vessel for fifteen minutes, and strain, while hot. The United States Pharmacopoeia prefers coriander to ginger. The infusion deposits, on exposure to air, a yellowish precipitate, so it is advisable to make it in very small quantities, as the deposit aggravates its griping tendency. It is usual to prescribe manna and one of the saline cathartics with it. The cold infusion is said to be less unpleasant in taste, and equal in strength to the hot. SYRUP OF SENNA is prepared by mixing 8 fluid ounces, 218 minims of fluid extract of Senna, with 81 minims of oil of Coriander and sufficient syrup to make 33 fluid ounces (6 1/2 fluid drachms). The Aromatic Syrup includes also jalap, rhubarb, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, oil of lemon, sugar, and diluted alcohol. The Compound Syrup includes rhubarb, frangula, methyl salicylate, alcohol, and syrup. [ Top ] ---Dosages--- Powdered leaves, 1 drachm. Conct.

solution, B.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm. Of compound or aromatic syrup, 2 fluid drachms. Of U.S.P. syrup, for an adult, 1 to 4 fluid drachms. Of B.P. syrup, 1 to 2 fluid drachms. Of Senna, 1/2 to 2 drachms. Of eompound mixture, B.P., 4 to 16 drachms. Of infusion, B.P., 1/2 to 2 fluid ounces. Of fluid extract, for an adult, 1/2 to 2 fluid draehms. Of confection, B.P., 1 to 2 drachms. [ Top ] ---Adulterations and Other Species Used--- Owing to the high price, what is known as 'broken Senna' is found on the market and sold for the genuine article with government sanction in the United States of America. Also, 'Senna siftings,' containing sand and other foreign matter have been offered for sale, causing trouble to government inspectors. Formerly there was an intentional mixture of 5 parts of C.

acutifolia, 3 of C. obovata, and 2 of Cynanchum, but now Alexandrian Senna is more uniform. It is often called in the French Pharmacopoeia séné de la palthe, because of the duty formerly laid upon it by the Ottoman Porte. A parcel of Alexandrian Senna in the market formerly consisted of (1) leaflets of C. acutifolia, (2) leaflets of C. obovata, (3) the pods, broken leaf-stalks, flowers, and fine fragments of either, (4) leaves of Cynanchum oleofolium. The last are larger, thicker, regular at the base, and have no lateral nerves visible on their undersurface. They must be regarded as an adulteration. C. angustifolia or Tinnevelly Senna, Senna Indica, C. elongata is an annual growing in the Yemen and Hadramaut provinces of Arabia Felix, in Somaliland, Mozambique, Scind, and the Punjab. In Southern India it is cultivated and grows to a larger size.

In the German and Swiss Pharmacopoeias, the official drug is restricted to Tinnevelly Senna, and also in the British Pharmacopoeia and the Pharmacopoeia of India. Senna Indica also includes the variety known as Arabian, Mocha, Bombay, or East Indian Senna. Both varieties, as well as Alexandrian Senna, are official in the United States Pharmacopoeia. There is a certain difference in the qualities and also in the names of the species imported into Britain and America. The fine Tinnevelly Senna goes from Madras or Tuticorin to Britain. The leaflets are unbroken, from 1 to 2 or more inches long, thin, flexible, and green. It has been stated that it contains only two-thirds as much of the active principle as the Alexandrian. The other, or Arabian variety, comes via Mocha and Bombay, and is less pure and less carefully prepared. The leaflets are long and narrow, pike-like, so are called in France séné de la pique. Leaflets resembling these were brought by Livingstone from Southeast Africa.

Mecca Senna, also known in America as Arabian or Bombay Senna, is obtained from both the wild and the cultivated kinds of C. angustifolia. The best comes from British India. The variety has sometimes a yellowish or tawny colour, more like the Indica than the Alexandrian, and may be the product of C. lanceolata of Forskhal. C. obovata, C. obtusa or Senna obtusa is usually a perennial, found wild in Egypt, Nubia, Abyssinia, Tripoli, Senegal and Benguella, Arabia and India. It was the first kind of Senna known, and being brought by the Moors into Europe, was formerly cultivated in Northern Italy, Spain, and Southern France, and called S. italica. It is official in the British Pharmacopceia and the Pharmacopoeia of India as one of the botanical sources of Alexandrian Senna, but now few of its leaflets are included. It is called by the Arabs S. baladi, i.e. indigenous or wild Senna, to distinguish it from C. acutifolia, S. jebeli, or Mountain Senna.

It is common in Jamaica, where its cultivation has been suggested, and where it is called Port Royal Senna or Jamaica Senna. C. Marilandica or American Senna, Wild Senna, Poinciana pulcherima, formerly Maryland Senna, is a common perennial from New England to Northern Carolina. Its leaves are compressed into oblong cakes like other herbal preparations of the Shakers. It acts like Senna, but is weaker, and should be combined with aromatics. The dose in powder is from 1/2 to 2 1/2 drachms. For the infusion, add 1 ounce of the leaves and 1 drachm of coriander seeds to 1 pint of boiling water. Macerate for an hour in a covered vessel, and strain. Dose: 4 to 5 fluid ounces. These leaves are also found mixed with or substituted for Alexandrian Senna. C. Chamoecrista, Prairie Senna, Partridge Pea, Dwarf Cassia, or Sensitive Pea, found on the Western Prairies, is an excellent substiture for the above. C. fistula, or Purging Cassia, C.

Stick, Pudding Pipe-Tree, or Alexandrian Purging Cassia, is a tree rising to 40 feet in height, the pulp of the pods being used in the electuary of Senna. It is found in Egypt, the Indies, China, etc. Colutea arborescens, or Bladder-Senna (see SENNA, BLADDER ), Baguenaudier, Séné Indigène, the Sutherlandia frutescens of the Cape, formerly often met with as a substitute, is now usually replaced by Globularia Turbith or Alypum, the leaves of which are milder, so that a double dose may be taken. It is the Wild Senna of Europe. Coriaria Myrtifolia is a Mediterranean shrub and highly poisonous, so that it should be recognized when present. The leaves are green, very thin, and soft, three veined, ovate-lanceolate, and equal at the base. It grows wild in Southern Europe, and its leaves are used as a black dye. It is also used to adulterate sweet marjoram. Deaths are recorded from eating the small, black berries.

A Mexican drug, Tlolocopetale, containing coriarin and coriamurtin, is said to be a product. Other names are Currierts Sumach and Redoul. Argel leaves (Solenostemma or Cynanchum Argel), from Nubia, are paler in colour, have less conspicuous veins, and an equal base. Tephrosia leaflets and legumes (Tephrosia Apollinea), from the banks of the Nile, are silky or silvery, equal at the base and usually folded longitudinally on their mid-rib. Jaborandi Leaflets (Bilocarpus Microphyllus) have been imported under the name of Senna. Aden Senna is believed to be obtained from C. holosericeae. C. montana yields a false Senna from Madras, partly resembling the Tinnevelly Senna, though the colour of the upper surface of the leaves is browner. It must be remembered that the Senna leaf contains no tannic acid and does not alter a ferric solution, while most of those encountered as adulterations precipitate ferric-chloride.

Other varieties used in their native countries, of which little appears to be known, are also: C. cathartica, C. rugosa, C. splendida, C. leavigata, C. multijuja, Coronilla Emenls or Scorpion Senna, C. obovata or Senegal Senna. Purchase from Mountain Rose Herbs Practice and principles in making Fresh Plant Tinctures. Introduction This document outlines the principles and practices used in the small scale production of Fresh Plant Tinctures (FPTs) from medicinal herbs. Large commercial medicinal herb manufacturers use broad acre grown dried plant material that is sourced from a global market. This along with increasing government regulation and control has led to the art and science of small scale and community produced herbal medicines prepared from locally grown herbs being little practiced. This has and is leading to an increasing loss of local know how in the production of medicinal herb extracts along with correctly identified medicinal herb species. With climate change affecting agriculture globally and the increased demand for plant based medicines, the ability of large medicinal herb manufacturers to provide a continuing economic supply of medicinal herbs could be compromised. This would see the need for community based medicinal herb production with the accompanying knowledge base and genetic stock.

The author, a retired pharmacist, shares his knowledge and the experience gained in making FPTs over many years at Pindari Herb Farm. ~~~~ Pindari Herb Farm was established in 1981 and over the last 16 years has expanded its range of medicinal herbs within and around the gardens to over 140 species. The gardens also provide the author and his family with much of their food. There is a substantial but simple composting facility processing over one tonne of organic matter weekly, providing the basis for the health of the organic gardens. Further information on Pindari Herb Farm is at ~~~~ Details and information on the preparation of quality dried herbs is discussed elsewhere in such books as "Herbal Harvest" written by Greg Whitten and published by Blooming books (ISBN 1 876473 04 5). The preparation of tinctures and extracts from dried plant material likewise is not covered in this document, but it is of a similar principle in small scale production to that of FPTs. At this time, the availability of ethanol (alcohol) is controlled in many countries.

Ahead there may be the need to produce ethanol at a community level both as a fuel and as a means of preparing medicinal herb tinctures. Information on the equipment and procedures needed to do this safely may be obtained from the web page under the heading ï¿½Alternative Wind and Solar power.ï¿½ (Distillation of spirits) The opportunity that ethanol/aqueous extracts of fresh plant medicinal herb material provide as a means of healing is discussed briefly within this document and will be available ahead in detail on the Pindari web page at under ï¿½Quality Issues.ï¿½ Making FPTs is a simple and effective means of "capturing" and preserving/storing the medicinal properties of herbs. It needs to be noted that some herbs such as Pasque flower (Anemone pulsatilla) should not be made from the fresh herb. Always refer to Medical Herb text books for further information. Preparing FPTs. To produce an FPT of optimum quality*, the objective should be to both capture the vital energetic life force (vibrational energy) and the required pharmacologically active components (chemicals) in the plant at a designated or optimum concentration.

*Quality also implying here, an FPT that captures those vibrational and material elements within the plant or part of the plant that facilitates a healing response and or symptomatic relief of dis-ease within the physical and mental and emotional states of a person. This is best achieved by using freshly harvested and gently comminuted plant material grown under ideal conditions. This is then macerated in a calculated volume of a chosen percentage mix of alcohol in water that will facilitate the optimum solubilization of the pharmacologically active chemical components. Also, the immersion of freshly harvested plant material that is still energetically strong (alive) in an aqueous based liquid enables the vibrational energies of that material to be also transferred to the liquid To standardize an FPT in Australia , the material substance within the plant (the dry weight) is measured against the total volume of liquids used in the maceration process. This is expressed as a ratio with the generally accepted standard strength of an FPT being 1:5 which is 1 part dry weight of plant material to 5 parts of macerating liquid. Preparing FPTs is a balancing exercise between obtaining the standard dry weight strength of 1:5 and the recommended alcohol concentration.

This is not always possible, as many herbs when fresh consist of 80% or more liquid. This is discussed in detail further on. Whilst FPTï¿½s are liquid alcohol and water extracts made from freshly harvested plant material, they are not homoeopathic mother tinctures, but being prepared from the fresh plant material they have the potential of capturing a significant proportion of the "life force" or homoeopathic energies of the plant along with the alcohol and water soluble components. The FPTs manufactured at Pindari are prepared via the process of maceration for between 2 to 4 weeks using 4 litre glass jars which are stored in a cool room away from direct light. The expiry date applied is fours years from the date of maceration as it has been found after that period of time many FPTs start to lose their "zing." This is the word best used to describe the life force or vitality of the extract.

This is discussed in further detail under ï¿½Quality Issuesï¿½ in the document: ï¿½Energy Considerations in the Pharmacy of Herbal Medicines.ï¿½ Containers and Equipment When setting up to manufacture FPTs on a small scale, choosing a container of standard material, size and shape is recommended. Glass is the ideal container material with a size suggested between 2 and 4 litres and with a plastic lid of diameter between 70mm and 110mm. At Pindari a 4 litre glass container with rounded shoulders and with a 70mm diameter screw top cap is used. After each use these are washed and scrubbed if necessary and then rinsed well. No detergents are used in the cleaning process as soap residues are difficult to remove. As the bottles are slow and difficult to dry and in order prevent bacterial and mould growth when stored, a small amount of alcohol is added to the clean wet jar which is then tightly capped. This sterilizes the jar and the alcohol residue is discarded just before the bottle is re-used.

The sharply rounded shoulders of the jar facilitates the "compacting" of the herb mass into the alcohol/water mix, holding the surface mass of the compressed herb at or below the surface of the menstruum within the jar. Scales An accurate set of scales that weigh up to 5 kilos and measures down to 1 gm are available for around AUD $300. Funnel This facilitates inserting the herb into the narrow mouth of the jar and can be purchased from catering suppliers. Prod Batch number Book and Labelling For good manufacturing practice it is necessary that a written record be kept of each tincture prepared. Choose a well bound book and for uniformity and good practice, use a standard set of headings such as those listed below. Species and common name of herb and parts used. Batch number including date. (See below) Strength of extract and alcohol concentration. Previous batch number and date of manufacture. The condition, source and quantity of herb harvested. Measured dry weight percentage of the herb. The weather conditions prevailing. Calculations and quantities used of the herb, alcohol and water. The number of bottles prepared. General comments. Signature.

It is useful to choose a batch numbering system that incorporates the date so that the date of manufacture of any tincture can be readily obtained. E.g. Batch no. 211205A, being the day (21st), the month (Dec), the year (2005), and the number for the day (A). It can also be a reminder for the timing for next season's harvest and enables stock rotation and expiry date management. By numbering and using one page for each batch a ready reference is available for past batches and for quickly finding any given batch. Also, by recording the quantities harvested when the macerating herb is pressed, along with current stock holding, details of the usage of that FPT is obtained that can be used to plan the amount of herb required for next harvest. Dry Weight Measurement. The dry weight measurement is calculated by taking a sample of the herb a day or two prior to its harvest and processing. The sample should be cut into small portions or thin slices, then accurately weighed and dried with moderate heat (<45C) until "crackle" dry. When the "small twigs" in the sample break sharply is a good indication that the sample is dry.

The weight of the dry sample should again be taken with the difference in weight being the weight of water that was present in the herb. To calculate the dry weight percentage: dry weight of herb 1 In practice the harvested herb starts to lose water immediately and increasingly so after comminution. In one instance on a warm day, in one hour a comminuted herb lost 6% by weight of moisture content. Thus it is important that the herb is processed and immersed in the menstruum as soon after harvesting as possible. This also reduces the amount of oxidation that occurs once the herb is cut, exposing it to air. The dry weight of an herb can vary as much as 15% according to seasonal factors and weather, and the time of the day it was harvested. Preparing the Plant Material. Once harvested, all foreign matter should be removed. Generally aerial parts are not washed but roots should be thoroughly washed (pressured washed if possible) and their surface dried before they are comminuted. Any insect life should be removed either manually or by allowing them to "leave" over 1-2 hours of careful storage of the harvested material in a shaded, cool place. The herb is then comminuted to facilitate passive extraction of the soluble plant materials.

At Pindari a small chaff cutter with a 400mm diameter cutting wheel with three very sharp blades is used which is belt driven by a small electric motor. This gently and cleanly comminutes the herb material ready for maceration. The use of a chaff cutter requires great care and concentration in its use. The milling of herb material is not used at Pindari in the belief that metal to metal pounding of herb material disturbs its subtle vibrational energies. Many of the old pharmacopoeias discuss the identification of contaminants in commercial dried herb material, providing information on chemical and physical identification procedures. In small scale herb harvesting, contamination of the harvested material is easily avoided by close attention during the harvest and prior to comminution. Macerating the Plant Material. Place the macerating vessel in a secure position and add around 2/3rds of the calculated and pre-well mixed menstruum. Add the comminuted herb and press the herb well into this liquid. This ensures the herb is mixed with the menstruum and prevents compressed "dry" areas. The careful compaction of the comminuted herb enables the maximum amount of the herbal material to be mixed with the smallest quantity of menstruum.

This provides the opportunity for obtaining a higher concentration of the herbal extract. The rounded shoulder of the bottle further enables this compaction by holding the surface of the plant material under the liquid, also reducing the potential for oxidation. Alcohol Concentrations. There are established standard alcohol strengths for the menstruum for each herb. These may be obtained from the pharmacopoeias or by referring to current commercial products. The degree of solubility of the medically active chemical constituents within the herb decides the percentage of alcohol used as the menstruum. For example, the more oil content in an herb that forms a part of the active principles, the higher the alcohol strength used as oils are far more soluble in alcohol than water. When using fresh plant material it is sometimes not possible to obtain the required alcohol concentration in the resultant FPT because of the high water content in the herb. In these cases, a compromise needs to be decided upon between the dry weight strength and the alcohol percentage of the resultant tincture. It is possible and sometimes appropriate, to partially dry the freshly harvested herb so that a portion of the water content of the herb is removed. This enables a higher alcohol concentration and or higher dry weight strength to be obtained.

However there comes a point when drying the plant material that so much water and life force has been lost, that the resultant tincture ceases to be from fresh plant material. A further understanding in the area of partially drying the herb can be obtained by working through the next ï¿½Calculationsï¿½ section in this document. It is necessary to maintain an alcohol concentration at least above 20% and preferable 25% to preserve the tincture against bacterial and fungal growth. Calculations for Preparing FPTs In preparing an FPT, the weight of the herb to be used and the amount of alcohol and additional water required for the menstruum need to be calculated. In order to do this, four facts need to be known. They are: The dry weight of the herb. From this can be calculated: The amount of fresh (wet) herb required to produce an FPT of a designated strength in a container of known volume. The amount of liquid (water) present in that quantity of herb. The alcohol percentage required. From this and the known amount of liquid in the herb can be calculated: The quantity of alcohol required for the menstruum. The quantity of water needed for the menstruum. The container volume.

This may be dependent on the availability of containers of a suitable size and it is best to use a standardized container or multiples thereof. However the volume of the container chosen will be influenced by: The quantity of herb available to macerate. The quantity of FPT required to be produced. The strength of the FPT to be prepared. In this document the strength of 1:5 (dry weight of herb to total liquid) is set as a standard but this is variable. In general it is best to produce as strong an FPT as practicable and repeatable. Factors that influence this are: The intended use of the FPT and dose considerations. The dry weight, therefore the percentage of water present in the herb. The nature of the herbal material and the degree of comminution of the herb as some herbs are more easily compressed than others. When the above have been established it is then necessary to check if the quantities involved will produce an FPT of the chosen strength and alcohol concentration and that it will actually fit into the container. A demonstration of this is given below. Example 1 Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) harvested 27th of December 2001.

Batch Number 271201A 33% dry weight 1:5 strength THE CALCULATIONS STEP BY STEP ARE: A 1:5 strength being 1 part (dry weight) of herb into 5 parts of menstruum gives a total of 6 parts. Divide 6 into 4000mL and this will provide the dry weight of herb needed. 6 divided into 4000L = 666gm. This can be rounded off to 660gm (dry weight). The weight of fresh (wet) herb to be used can then be calculated by multiplying the dry weight figure by the inverted dry weight percentage. 660gm multiplied by 100 and divided by 33 = 2000gm of fresh herb needed. In 2000gm of fresh (wet) herb there is 660gm of dry matter and 1340mL of water. The volume of the menstruum required is obtained by multiplying the dry weight by 5 this will provide the total volume of menstruum needed to make an FPT of strength 1:5.

660gm X 5 = 3300mL total volume of menstruum. The amount of alcohol needed in the menstruum is 25%. Multiply the total liquid content by the percentage of alcohol 3300 X 0.25 (25%) = 825mL of 100% alcohol. To calculate the amount of water to be added to the menstruum, take the total volume of the menstruum and subtract the amount of liquid in the herb and the alcohol required. 3300mL ï¿½ 1340mL ï¿½ 825mL = 1135mL water to be added. To check if these fit into a 4000mL bottle add the amount of wet herb to the volume of alcohol and water to be added to see if it does not exceed the bottleï¿½s capacity.

2000gm + 825mL + 1135mL = 3960mL/gm which fits into a 4000mL bottle If using 96% alcohol then the volumes to be used are: 825 of 100% alcohol X 100 96 equals 1101mL Thus the volume of water required is 1101mL to be mixed with the 859mL of alcohol (96%). ~~~ Any herb with a dry weight of 20% is a 1:4 (dry wt) in its own liquid and it is not possible to add sufficient alcohol to the macerating herb to reach the required alcohol percentage and still obtain a 1:5 (dry wt) standard strength. Even with an herb with a 25% dry weight, it is difficult to obtain a 1:5 (dry wt) especially if a menstruum with an alcohol strength greater than 25% is required.

In these cases a decision can be made to either partially dry the comminuted herb or produce a weaker resultant tincture of say a 1:6 or 1:8 (dry wt strength) In warm conditions and with an air flow, a comminuted herb loses water quickly and this can be judiciously used to reduce the water content of the herb. It needs to be managed by measurement so that both the required alcohol and dry weight strength can be obtained. Each FPT of an herb is unique with no two herbs being the same and in order to successfully make FPTs from many different herbs it is best if the principles of the calculation methods are understood. For those who find this difficult in practice it has been found during Medicinal Herb Seminars that with hands on experience, the calculations are readily and easily understood. But for those seeking an easier method for doing the calculations, Justin Crawford has prepared an excellent Microsoft Excel program . Examples of Calculations for Preparing FPTS: FOR HERBAL STRENGTHS WEAKER THAN 1:5 i.e. 1:6 - 1:7 - 1:8 etc. Here it is necessary to do some trial calculations.

By knowing the dry weight of the herb and the required alcohol concentration you can by calculation as given above, work out if it will fit in your chosen container. Remember, the alcohol concentration is important for the adequate solubilization of the herb material to be extracted. As mentioned previously you can consider drying the herb for 1-2 hours to reduce the water content but this should be measured, and it should also be noted that some herbs oxidize rapidly and need to be tinctured as soon as practicable after being comminuted. This is also where your batch record book is useful for referral to the previous time you prepared an FPT of a herb. Example 2. The preparation of White Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) fresh plant tincture. Batch Number 240301A The dry weight was calculated to be 18%. By trial 2900 gm of the herb was able to be fitted into the bottle giving a dry weight content of 2900 X .18 = 522 gm and a aqueous content of 2378mL. The amount of alcohol added was 1000mL of alcohol (100%).

thus the total volume of liquids present was 2378mLs + 1000mL = 3378mL thus the strength of the tincture was 3378 divided by 522 = 1:6.5 The % alcohol being: In this case the strength of the tincture was held high considering the dry weight of the herb and the optimum strength of the alcohol menstruum was increased from 25% to 29.6%. When next preparing this herb, it could be air dried for an hour or so and the alcohol concentration reduced with the addition of a calculated amount of water. FOR HERBS WHERE THE DRY WEIGHT IS 40% OR MORE. Example 3. An FPT was prepared from the fronds (leaves) of Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis). The preparation was complicated by the harvest directly after a little rain where the fronds were wet. These were partially dried for a night and a day before tincturing.

(This example shows that when the dry weight and the quantities of alcohol and water are known, by systematically working through the calculations, an accurate strength of the resultant FPT and its alcohol concentration can be obtained.) A sample of the herb was collected immediately following harvesting and found to have a dry weight of 40%, a further sample was taken just before maceration of the partially dried herb and found to have a dry weight of 60%. The drying of the herb resulted in a 20% reduction in moisture content. As more herb had to be harvested to complete filling a second 4 litre bottle, a third sample for the dry weight of this sample was taken and found to be 40%. Bottle 1 - 1320 gm of herb was placed in the bottle at a dry weight of 40%. As the dry weight was unknown at the time, it was assumed at 50% and the calculations were: 1320 gm wet herb at 50% = 3300 - 1980 - 660 = 660mLs of water NB. It is best to always do a dry weight calculation first if possible.

Thus to 1320 gm of wet herb 1980mLs of alcohol 100% and 660mLs of water were added. You will note that if the numeric quantities (1320 gm herb + 1980 mL alcohol + 660 mL water) are added it comes to 3960 which suggests they will fit into a 4 litre bottle. Bottle 2 With the second bottle 1145 gm of herb were added plus 170 gm of freshly harvested herb to fill the 4 litre bottle. This amount of herb allowed for the compression of the herb mass sufficiently for the 1980mLs of alcohol 100% and 660mL of water that was added to cover the herb material. Final calculations Knowing the dry weights, the accurate calculations for the strength and alcohol concentration of the combined pressings from bottle 1 and 2 can be completed. Totals Thus the Rosemary FPT was 1:4 dry weight strength in 62% alcohol. The above calculations will hopefully explain the methodology used to attain the strength of the tincture and the percentage of alcohol.

Making FPTs from Alcoholic Beverages. For those unable to obtain 96% or 100% ethanol (alcohol) and who wish to make herbal tinctures, you can use alcoholic spirit beverages but there are limitations that are detailed below. Spirits such as Vodka or Brandy have an alcoholic strength expressed as a percentage of proof spirit (in Australia 100% proof spirit is 57.1% alcohol in water) or as alcohol volume as a percentage of the total volume - e.g. Napoleon Brandy 37.1%. v/v You can now purchase small distillation units that successfully distil fermented white sugar to around 95% ethanol for approximately AUD$800. When preparing an FPT of an herb with a dry weight of 30%, in order to obtain an alcohol concentration of 25% for the resultant tincture, the dry weight strength of that tincture will be reduced. Example 4. 2000gm of fresh herb at 30% dry weight contains 600gm of dry material and 1400 mL of liquid.

The total volume of liquid required to produce a 1:5 dry weight tincture is 5 X 600 = 3000mL This allows for the addition of up to 3000 - 1400 = 1600mL of Napoleon Brandy which has (1600mL x .371 = 594mL) of alcohol. The resultant alcohol strength of the tincture prepared using 1600mL of Napoleon Brandy is thus: 594 1 The dry weight strength of the resultant tincture is 600gm being the dry weight of the herb used divided into the total volume of liquid present being 4400mL which is: approx 1:7 Thus there has been a 40% reduction in the strength of the tincture produced in order to achieve a 25% alcohol concentration. From this example it can be seen that when using alcoholic beverages to make herbal tinctures, the percentage dry weight of the herb must be high, the needed alcohol concentration for the tincture low.

Otherwise the herb to be tinctured has to be partly or totally dried, otherwise it is often not possible to obtain FPTs of recommended alcohol strength and that is at or near a 1:5 dry weight. Another option for those unable to buy expensive spirits and or obtain ethanol at 96% or 100% is to carefully dry and store their medicinal herbs and to take the dried herb orally in measured doses or as much of Chinese Herbal Medicine does, make an infusion (cup of tea) from the dried herb. Expressing the herb (Separating the liquid from the solid) . A minimum of 2-3 weeks should be allowed for aerial parts and up to 4 weeks for roots before the macerating herb is pressed. The time that a herb may be left macerating can be for many months provided it is stored in a cool place and away from direct light. There are commercial presses available through herbalist professional bodies and the adaptation of wine presses is possible. For home production of FPTs a small wine press can be purchased for approximately AUD $200 from brewery stores.

At Pindari an antique original herb pressed is used with a new stainless steel vessel made to the same design as the original black metal vessel. Steps: The first step is to drain the liquid from the marc by inverting the bottle over a large funnel containing filter paper. We use the large stainless funnels used in the catering industry for cooking potato chips in oil. There is a matching filter paper used in the same industry that is ideal for the purpose of filtering the liquids draining from the bottle. The air flow over the collected liquid and the draining time should be kept to a minimum to avoid excessive alcohol loss from evaporation. The wet herb material is then removed from the bottle and placed in the press vessel and pressed until much of the tincture has been removed. All pressed liquids are passed through the filter paper used with the draining process. The drained liquids are mixed well with the pressed liquids and the mixture then bottled and labeled. For those without a press, placing the drained wet herb in a calico bag and twisting the bag vigorously will be moderately successful in expressing the herb. For herbs with a high mucilage content such as Marshmallow and Comfrey root, drain well first then place the wet herb into a calico bag and then into the pressing vessel.

This helps the thick mucilage to drain clear of the marc. For soft and small portioned herbs such as Chamomile flowers, using a calico bag similarly will prevent the strainer plates at the bottom the press vessel from clogging up and preventing the liquids from draining into the collection vessel. Experimentation and versatility is required in separating the liquid from the marc and recording the best methods in the batch record book can be very useful when coming to express next seasonï¿½s harvest. The Medicinal Properties of Fresh Plant Tinctures. The ability to manufacture FPTs is easiest where the farm and the processing plant are in close proximity, as once harvested, plant material can rapidly lose moisture and vitality over a few hours. Making your own FPTs is inexpensive and rewarding but it is time consuming with the main costs being the value you place on your time in the growing and processing of the herb. The outlay for equipment and the alcohol used is minimal. The savings in the cost of production of the herbal tinctures can be shared between yourself and the consumers of the medicines. Commercial large scale production of plant extracts requires a substantial financial investment in plant and equipment and is accompanied by the costs of complying with quality control and regulatory processes.

There are ongoing increases in these controls with associated costs that have seen increases in the cost of the medicinal herb extracts produced and a decrease in the range. The large scale of these plants necessitates the production of 1:1 and 1:2 fluid extracts produced from dried herbal material via a percolation process. In recent years much of the herbal extracts available for professional use have come from these producers. Their size and financial strength has seen much of the research and education into herbal medicines directed towards medicinal fluid extracts produced from dried herbal material. The effect has been a reduction in FPT production and usage and an increased focus on the medicinal properties of fluid extracts prepared from dried plant material. Research has been directed towards the isolation of the chemical constituents of the herb and the exploration of these chemicals. This is similar to allopathic medicine where the focus is on a drug and its pharmacological effects. The whole plant including its vibrational energies and the unmeasured and as yet unfound medicinally active chemical constituents has become much less considered. Yet medicinal herb research continues to show that the pharmacological properties of the herb material are greater than the sum of its found constituents.

The homoeopathic, flower essence and aromatherapy healing effects of plant material provides ample evidence of the reality of "the whole is more than the sum of its parts" in respect to the healing properties of medicinal herbs. The higher vibrational energies of the herb that play a part in the mentioned modalities are minimized and at worst lost when the herb material is dried and stored over time These vibrational energies are most likely captured in tinctures made from the freshly harvested herb. The author has found in his practice that FPTs do have differing pharmacological properties to fluid extracts and that the dosage regime often needs to vary accordingly. Often, with FPTs the effective dosage can be in measured drops, compared to milliliters with fluid extracts. Given the magnitude of the diversity in herbal extract manufacturing procedures, it is not possible to comment further on the perceived differences, but necessarily, those making fresh plant tinctures need to be aware of the potential for difference in the pharmacology and dosage regimes of their product. When making fresh plant tinctures either for personal and or professional use, the responsibility lies with the manufacturer to accurately identify the species of herb, harvest at the correct time and use the correct parts of the plant.

Responsibility is no less with fresh plant tincture manufacture and administration than it is with any other form of medication. The Chemical and Energetic Variability of Plant Material. Medicinal herbs like any other flora are subject to variations in growing conditions and to genetic diversity between varieties within the species. Different seasons will see variations of the active medicinal principles within the herb. Ample evidence of the seasonal variations can be seen in the wine industry where each season can see a "vintage" difference in the wine produced. The experience at Pindari has been that tinctures prepared from season to season and herb to herb each have their own set of variables but if the general growing, harvesting and processing principles are followed, a near standard medicinal product can be prepared from year to year, providing an acceptable uniformity of product. The variation between seasons and harvest areas and thus the differing and varying concentrations of active principles in the herbal extracts, is a reality that with the rekindled interest in phyto-therapy, science is now trying to accommodate. It can be said that at this point in time, herbal medicine is somewhat based both on science and historical usage.

The author's personal experience is that living within the medicinal herb gardens and daily observing the herbs has enabled a greater sensitivity in understanding the plantï¿½s life cycles and their waxing and waning in vibrancy. The Doctrine of Signatures as alluded to by Paracelsus and others also become more self evident. There is an increased ability to relate to the herbs, perhaps as the original herbalists did when they too lived in the country surrounded by the herbs on a day to day and season to season basis. This "living with" experience gives a greater depth of understanding that over the years leads to a deeper grasp of the differing expressions of the plants and their potential medicinal properties. The way indigenous people live with and relate to the flora of their surroundings would be far more profound than that experienced at Pindari. However, the author's experience provides enough to be able to relate a little to this existential relationship. Any medical herbalist, if they wish to know, really know the herbs they are using, should perhaps grow the herbs, harvest and process them into tinctures or dried herbs and thus handle and experience them.

Sublingually tasting of one or two drops of a liquid herbal extract and watching and sensing within where the energy essence of the herb travels and its effects on their being, provides further experience of the herbs healing potential. This has been practiced in many workshop settings where participants have voiced their positive appreciation for the experience. This procedure is discussed in detail the ï¿½Taste Testing Documentï¿½ to be found under ï¿½Quality Issues.ï¿½ Summary. Plants are a created, vital energetic and material life force that is an expression of its genome reproducing itself. The plant does this by using the energy of solar radiation and the material substrate of the earth, with the resultant physical and energetic expressions varying accordingly. The capturing of this expression at any or all of its vibrational levels and the medicinal use there of, will by its very nature probably never be fully understood through the use of scientific methods. Thus phyto-therapy and its broad expression will remain a mixture of science and art, of understanding and intuition. To view the herbs grown & processed at Pindari please go to the Pindari Medicinal Herbs List .

Question: What name is given to a medicinal extract in a solution of alcohol?
Answer: Tincture