What are tinctures and ointments? How are they prepared? What are their uses?

1. S.U.P.W. PROJECT
(CHEMISTRY)
Topic: Preparation of tincture and simple ointments
for wounds.

2. TINCTURES
 Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs that
you take orally.
 They are usually extracted in alcohol, but they can
also be extracted in vegetable glycerine or apple cider
vinegar (which is a non-alcohol).
 Tinctures are easy and convenient to use. They are
also easier to give to children as they have to take only
small amounts.
Oxford definition: It can be simply defined as a medicine
made by dissolving a drug in alcohol.

3. SOME OF THE HOMEMADE TINCTURES

4.  Because they are taken directly under the tongue,
they enter the bloodstream much more directly than
by any other means. This means that the action in the
body is usually quicker.
 Although some herbs will have an immediate effect,
such as those used to help one relax. Nutritive
tinctures may take several weeks of continual use
before best results are seen.
 Teas and tinctures are made from the same
combination of herbs. For example, tummy tincture
is made from tummy tea, and nursing tincture is
made from nursing tea, so the herbs are the same –
it’s just two different ways of taking them.
 Some people enjoy teas and the relaxing aspects of
taking a time out to drink a cup tea.

5.  Others may not care for tea or do not have time to
brew and drink a cup of tea. For these people, a
tincture is perfect.
 Tinctures are also very convenient, as nothing needs
to be brewed. You simply take the drops of tincture
and you’re done.
 You can easily carry a bottle of tincture in your purse
and have it available to you at all times. (Tummy
tincture for gas and tummy upset, and other tinctures
which are a remedy for anxiety, nervousness or
injuries are popular items for one’s purse.)
 When you want an immediate response, such as
herbs for relaxation or sleep, a tincture may give you
more immediate results.

7. PREPARATION OF HERBAL TINCTURES AT
HOME
What you’ll need:
 High-proof alcohol (at
least 80 proof)
Alcohol proof in the United States is defined as twice the
percentage of alcohol by volume. Consequently, 100-proof whiskey
contains 50%alcohol by volume; 86-proof whiskey contains
43% alcohol.

8.  Alternative to alcohol:
high quality apple cider
vinegar.(Organic, if you
can find it)

9.  An herb of your choice:
fresh or dried
Herb: any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring,
food, medicine, or perfume.

10.  A pint jar (16oz) with a
tight-fitting lid
 A small funnel

11.  Small, dark glass bottles
for storing the tinctures.
Cobalt or amber glass
are great, and should
have tight-fitting screw-
on or snap-down lids.

12.  A fine strainer
 Fine cheesecloth or
muslin

13.  A bowl or glass
measuring cup with a
spout

14. Procedure:
 It’s incredibly easy to make your own tinctures.
 You just have to soak plant matter in a menstruum
(solvent) for a few weeks so that all the “good stuff” of
the herb can be absorbed into the liquid.
 Remember that regardless of the that alcohol is
chosen, it has to be at least 80-proof (namely,
40 percent alcohol) to prevent any mildewing of the
plant material in the bottle.
 100-proof (50 percent alcohol) is better, if you can get
your hands on it.
 This high-proof alcohol acts as a preservative, and if
you store your tinctures in a cool, dark place, they can
have a shelf life of 7-10 years.

15.  If you are choosing fresh herbs:
o Either chop them up a bit or bruise(crush) them
gently.
o Fill your jar 2/3 full.

16.  For dried herbs:
Fill your jar 1/2 full.

17.  You should leave a bit of space in the jar as the plant
matter must be completely covered with the
alcohol—no part of the plant should be exposed to
the air.
 You’ll fill the jar with alcohol to the spot where the lid
ring begins, and then screw the lid on tightly.

18.  The reason you have to use less dry root than fresh is
that the vodka/brandy/etc. will partially re-constitute
the plant matter, causing it to swell up: you need to
leave some room for this to happen.
 Be sure to stir the dried root well to ensure that it
absorbs the liquid.

19.  NOTE: Generally, the ratio of fresh herbs to alcohol is
1:2 (so 1 part plant to 2 parts alcohol), and the ratio of
dried herbs to alcohol is 1:4 or 1: 5, but there will
always be exceptions to this: be sure to do thorough
research on the herb you’ll be tincturing before you
begin so you have a good idea of what the required
ratio is.

20.  During the first week, give the jar a little shake every
day to swish the alcohol around the plant matter and
move it around a little bit.
 You have to then let it just sit in the cupboard (or any
other appropriate place of your choosing) for another
5 weeks, so it’ll steep for 6 weeks in total.
 After it has steeped for several weeks, line a fine-
mesh strainer with a layer or two of muslin or
cheesecloth, and then hold that over your bowl or
measuring cup.

21.  Pour the tincture over the cloth so that it strains well,
pressing gently on the herbs to squeeze out the liquid

22.  You can even gather the sides of the cloth and twist it
to really squish out every last drop. Compost the used
plant matter, and wash out the cloth to be used again
another time.
 Now, you’ll use the funnel to decant the tincture into
your little glass bottles (preferably the kind with
droppers), filling them close to the top. Label each
bottle with the herb used, as well as the date
decanted, and then store them away from direct
sunlight.

23. IMPORTANT: BEFORE YOU MAKE
ANYTHING…
 Please keep in mind that people react to tinctures in
different ways, and what works well for one person might
not work well for another.
 Tinctures are not guaranteed to cure ailments, nor is it a
good idea to mix and match them without having a
thorough knowledge of contraindications and such.
 If you’re feeling ill, it’s important to go to a healthcare
professional(be that a physician, naturopath, or herbalist)
to get their advice before attempting to self-diagnose
and/or self-medicate.
 Herbs have medicinal properties that may have different
effects on those who take them, so it’s vital that you ensure
that you know what it is you’re treating before you
make/take anything.

24.  Additionally, it’s of the highest importance that you
know exactly what plant you’re using if you decide to
make a tincture for your own use.
 Going out and foraging for leaves and twigs that bear
a vague resemblance to the plant you’re aiming to use
can be incredibly harmful.
 So unless you have total certainty about the plant
you’re using, don’t use it. When in doubt, it’s better to
be on the side of caution and pick up a tincture from
a retailer instead.

26. OINTMENTS
 An ointment is a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid
preparation, most commonly a greasy, thick oil (oil
80% - water 20%) with a high viscosity, that is
intended for external application to the skin or
mucous membranes.
 Ointments have a water number that defines the
maximum amount of water that it can contain.
 They are used as emollients or for the application of
active ingredients to the skin for protective,
therapeutic, or prophylactic purposes and where a
degree of occlusion is desired.
Emollient: having the quality of softening or soothing the skin

27. MAKING HOMEMADE OINTMENTS
What you’ll need:
 Either petroleum jelly or
soft paraffin wax –
250 g

28.  Dried herbs of your
choice – 30 gm

29. Procedure:
 In a bowl over a pan of boiling water, or in a double
saucepan; melt the wax or jelly depending on which
you are using.
 Then add the herbs, heat gently for about two hours.
 Pour the mixture into a jelly bag or a piece of muslin
that you have fitted around the rim of a jug and
secured with a rubber band or string.

30.  Whilst wearing rubber gloves (the mixture will still
be very hot to handle) squeeze the mixture through
the muslin or jelly bag.
 Transfer the mixture into storage jars while still
warm.
 To avoid condensation allow the ointment to cool
completely before securing with a lid. Finished colour
will depend on the herbs you choice to use.