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VINEGAR INFUSION

Vinegar infusions lend themselves very well to the folk method of extraction, but are also perfectly suited for the weight/volume method (see Chapter Twelve, “Tincturing by Maceration,” for details on these two methods).

To prepare medicated vinegar by infusing leaves and flowers of an herb

1. Reduce the dried herb to a moderately coarse powder.

2. Combine with pure undiluted vinegar.

3. Macerate for 10 to 14 days; shaking the mixture frequently.

4. Strain, pour into sterilized bottle, and cap.

To prepare medicated vinegar by infusing roots and barks of an herb

1. Reduce the dried herb to a moderately coarse powder.

2. Combine with pure undiluted vinegar.

3. Macerate for 10 to 14 days; shaking the mixture frequently.

4. Strain.

5. Heat the infusion to the boiling point (do not boil).

6. Filter while hot.

7. Pour into sterilized bottles and cap.

The purpose of this heating process is to coagulate any albumin which has been dissolved into the vinegar solution and remove it, for, otherwise, it can cause rapid fermentation and spoilage of the preparation. Unlike the flowers and leaves of most plants, roots and bark usually contain a large quantity of plant albumin in their tissue, and therefore usually require this added precaution.

Simple vinegar lotion recipe

This is sponged on or applied as a fomentation to soothe irritated, itching, burned, or feverish skin. Also used to cleanse the skin, check perspiration odor, and reduce the surface temperature of the skin in fever. Combine one part of vinegar with three or four parts of water.

Poison Oak lotion recipe

This is a recipe for a medicinal vinegar that is most useful to alleviate the discomforts associated with Poison Oak contact (I’m a West Coast native and have run into a lot of Poison Oak in my day, so I know the joy of this recipe from experience. Poison Ivy doesn’t mingle with us much here in the West, however, so I have very little experience with its effect on human skin. I can only assume that this vinegar solution will also provide similar relief for those allergic to the touch of Ivy).

1. Make a strong decoction of equal parts Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and Horsetail (Equisetum arvense).

2. To 2 parts of this herbal liquid, add 1 part apple cider vinegar.

3. Add 1 tablespoon of salt per cup of the above mixture of tea and vinegar. (Store it in the refrigerator.)

4. Apply externally to all affected areas. It might burn at first (which feels much better than the itching), but this soon stops.

Astringent gargle recipe

Vinegar infusion of Sage leaf (Salvia officinalis). Dilute 1 tablespoonful in 1/4 cup water.

Emetic vinegar recipe

Used to induce vomiting when necessary. Combine 1 oz. of Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) which has been ground to a moderately coarse powder with 8 ounces of vinegar. Macerate for seven days, strain, press, and filter. General dose is 1/2 oz. to 1 oz. (15 to 30 ml) per treatment.

Vinegar liniment recipe

This is used to rub onto areas of pain or soreness. Heat 1 pint apple cider vinegar, and add 1 tablespoon Cayenne red pepper.

Aromatic vinegar recipe

This is used as a mild, soothing water for bathing the forehead and temples whenever headaches and other indicators of prolonged stress arise. To 1/2 cup of alcohol, add 1 drop each of Lavender essential oil, Rosemary essential oil, Juniper essential oil, Peppermint essential oil, Cinnamon essential oil, and 2 drops each of Lemon essential oil and Clove essential oil. Shake this mixture well to thoroughly dissolve the oils in the alcohol, then add 1/2 cup of pure vinegar and mix this well. Lastly, add 1 cup of distilled water, mix this well, and let it stand for 8 days with frequent agitation. Filter the liquid and store in a tightly closed glass bottle.

The caustic oils of Poison Oak and Poison Ivy are fixed oils like other vegetable oils. They do not evaporate readily and therefore must be washed off of skin, clothing, and pet’s fur. The