Tincture

But after my herbal medicine class this spring, I realized that tinctures are a great way to preserve and take herbs. They also feel more like you are taking traditional ‘medicine.’ They keep a long time, are easy to mix in combinations based on your needs, and end up creating a nice herbal ‘apothecary’ in your house (with your stash of glass bottles.)  Or, you can forget that they’re ‘tinctures’ and just make some tasty herbal liquors to serve to your friends!

Tinctures are super easy to make. You just need a few weeks of waiting time.

Amanda’s Basic Tincture Method

You’ll need:  Your chosen herb (fresh or dried), vodka, labels, a clear glass jar with a lid, and a dark glass jar for storage.

1) Put the herb in the clear jar.  The amount is up to you.  With fresh herb, try to fill it 3/4 of the jar with chopped herb.  With dried herb, maybe 1/4 of the container.

2) Pour in vodka, to cover all of the herb, and ideally up to within 1/2″ inch of the top of the jar.  Put the lid on.

3) LABEL.  Yes, you think you’ll remember what the tincture is later, but trust me, you won’t.  You definitely want to include the herb name and date.  You may also want to include measurements of how much herb & vodka you put in, or where you got the herb from.

4) Place tincture out of direct sunlight and let sit for 2-3 weeks. Minimum time is 2 weeks.  The longer it sits, the stronger the tincture will be.  Remember to shake the jar whenever you think of it – maybe once a day.

5) Strain.  Strain the herbs out of the vodka, and put the vodka into a dark glass container (not plastic!).  Label this container too.

Et voila! You have a tincture!  It’s a nice idea to have some tinctures on hand, depending on what your household needs are.  For example, I like to keep thyme, echinachea and liquorice on hand for colds & the immune system.  Also some valerian for nights I can’t sleep (I mix it into tea).  I’m experimenting with some tinctures-as-liquors with liquorice, cinnamon, and dried berries… will post recipes as soon as they’re finished!

How do I use the tincture? For health purposes, generally you take 5-10ml (about a teaspoon) of tincture at a time, mixed with a little water.  You can also add a splash to herbal tea.  As liquors, I usually sweeten the whole batch with some honey or fruit syrups, and then serve it in little cups.

Have you made a tincture before? What are your favorite tinctures to keep on hand?

Hot honey, lemon and ginger is quick & easy, and uses ingredients you probably have in the kitchen.  Don’t keep fresh ginger root on hand yet?  You can always use some powdered or dried crystal ginger too … but fresh is best!   In traditional usage, honey, lemon and ginger were used to help get over a cold.  However, I like the fresh citrusy/spicy taste from the lemon and ginger, and I just like it as an easy warming drink (you can also add a shot of whisky and have a nice hot toddy!)

Why these ingredients are key:

Honey:  Honey is a naturally antibacterial and antiseptic.  It also coats the throat, to soothe dry or sore throats.

Lemon: Lemon is antibacterial and has a high amount of vitamin C (and gives a nice fresh taste.)  In aromatherapy, they say that the lemon is used to detoxify the body, stimulate the lymph and liver, and for purifies the skin and respiratory tract.

Ginger: This is the essential ingredient in this tea, in my opinion.  Ginger is hot and spicy, and is traditionally used to warm the body, for colds & to stimulate the immune system.  Ginger also may reduce inflammation.

How do you make it?

Cut a 1/2″ piece of fresh ginger root. Peel.  You might want to cut in a few smaller slices to put in the mug (more exposed surfaces means more ginger juice gets in the tea!).   Place in mug.

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in the mug.

Add 1 big spoonful of honey (or to taste).

Fill with recently boiled water.

Some people advocate covering the mug during the steeping process to trap all the volatile oils that might otherwise escape in the steam.

(Add a healthy shot of whisky, if you’re feeling like you need an extra kick.)

Enjoy!

What’s your favorite winter warmer or pick-me-up for the February slump??

Everyone seems to be talking about the flu this year.  With my growing interest in herbal kitchen remedies, I wanted to find some herbs that could be used to help with flu symptoms.   You might want to consider some of these herbs to stock your kitchen apothecary (in addition to your favorite over-the-counter meds, of course!):

1. Echinacea - start taking this as soon as you feel under-the-weather.  Echinacea stimulates the immune system to help your body fight off the flu.  Take small amounts frequently throughout the day (I take 1ml of tincture in water every 2 hours during the first few days of a cold/flu, then reduce the amount).
2. Thyme - Thyme is a great remedy for respiratory problems.  I like making a thyme tea (infusion) with fresh or dried thyme leaves, and a little honey and lemon.  Thyme is antiviral and an expectorant.
3. Licorice / Liquorice – This sweet, soothing root is an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral.  Great for respiratory infections.  May raise blood pressure, so do not use if you have high blood pressure!  Nice to add to teas for a sweet flavor.
4. Garlic - The kitchen-remedy wonder food!  Garlic is antibiotic and antiviral.  Best to eat raw (I know it’s hard, but you can do it!).  Try chopping it up in food, or take with a spoonful of honey or oil.  Also use freely in cooking. Or make some garlic tea by putting garlic, honey and lemon in hot water.
5. Elderflower & Peppermint tea – Both elderberries and elderflowers are helpful in fighting the flu.  The berries help inhibit the flu virus, while the flowers induce sweating during fevers.  Peppermint is soothing and relaxing, and helps clear congestion.  Can also add Yarrow to this tea blend.
6. Skullcap - A fantastic, stress-relieving herb that is nourishing to the body after an illness like flu.
7. Yarrow – Yarrow is anti-inflammatory and sweat inducing, which can help reduce fevers.
8. Boneset – Traditional use for treating flu.  Induces sweating, reduces fever, and eases body aches.  Apparently also stimulates the immune system.
9. Astragalus - This Chinese herb can be used long-term to support the immune system. You may want to consider taking it daily during cold/flu season.
10. Eucalyptus & Pine or lavender & tea tree inhalation – Just put a few drops of the essential oils in a bowl of just-boiled water, lean over it, and cover your head with a towel to contain the steam.  Breath for 5-10 minutes.

You can take most of these herbs in your favorite preparation – infusion/tea, tincture, or pill.  Remember, I’m not a doctor, just someone interested in traditional remedies for common ailments, so check with a doctor or herbalist before trying these.

What other herbal and kitchen remedies do you use for the flu?

Are you tired of hearing about the flu yet?  I am!  This season we got a double-dose of flu media attention between the seasonal flu and the dreaded H1N1 swine flu.

Unfortunately, given the pervasiveness of the flu this year, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know will catch it at some point.   And it can’t hurt to be prepared! I like to keep some items on hand at all times, just in case I get sick (because I hate running out to do shopping when I’m feeling run-down.)  I always keep some ‘comfort foods’ in the pantry, things that mom gave me when I was sick as a kid (like jello, ramen noodles, boullion cubes and saltine crackers.  OK I know those aren’t organic, sustainable, chemical-free foods,  but they work for me on a psychological level!!).  I also try to keep a supply of homemade chicken soup and chicken broth frozen in individual serving containers in the freezer.  And of course I have a typical medicine cabinet filled with things from the drugstore, but which I try to use as a last resort after my natural remedies.

We can’t cure the flu, only alleviate the symptoms.  So the best medicine is prevention – wash your hands a lot!  (And get some yummy scented hand-lotion to keep them soft and make all this hand-washing less of a chore.)

If you do catch the flu, there are a number of kitchen remedies that can help your body recover.  Many of these remedies are made from common ingredients that you can keep in your pantry year-round. Here are my top 8 remedies for the flu:

1. Rest - Ok, this is not technically a kitchen remedy, but warrants being repeated.  If you feel yourself coming down with something, take a day or two to rest and recover.   Give your body the chance to devote all of its energy to your immune system.  Rest seriously works wonders for fending off ailments, especially if done for the first few days of the illness.
2. Honey, Lemon and Ginger tea. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you really want to warm your body and sweat it out.
3. If you have respiratory symptoms with the flu, drink sage or thyme tea.  Make it yourself by putting either a small handful of fresh herb, or 1 tsp of dried leaves (from your spice rack!) to steep in boiling water.  Strain, sweeten with honey, add a squeeze of lemon, and drink frequently.  Sage and thyme are great for respiratory congestion, sage also helps a sore throat.
4. Herbal Steams – Pour boiling water in a big mixing bowl.  Add a handful of fresh or dried herbs, or some essential oils.  Try sage, thyme, eucalyptus, pine or even tea tree oil.  Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel to trap the steam, and breathe for 5-10 minutes.  You shouldn’t steam if you have asthma.
5. Make Yarrow, Peppermint and Elder tea.
6. Make Sage Honey.  This is best if done in advance, since the honey gets stronger with time.  Put some chopped fresh sage leaves in a jar and cover with honey.  Take a spoonful every couple of hours to soothe a sore throat.
7. Drink lots of homemade broths and other nourishing foods.  Broths are excellent during a cold or flu because they are full of nutrients, are warm and soothing, and also provide fluids.  You can also incorporate some astragalus root into the broth, which boosts the immune system.
8. Eat more garlic and onions.  You might want to add a few cloves of garlic to the broth (above).  Garlic and onions are nature’s antibiotic, and give a big boost to your immune system.  Incorporate them into as much of your food as possible during the flu season.  You can add garlic to your broth or tea, or make a garlic honey (same process as sage honey above).  Just eat as much as you can, as soon as you start feeling run-down.

Remember, I’m not a doctor, just someone who is interested in traditional remedies for better health! Check with your doctor or a qualified herbalist before trying any new remedies on yourself, family or friends.

What other kitchen remedies do you use when you have the flu??