The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [103]
Bear this in mind when doing your math. Because pure (absolute) glycerin absorbs water quite readily from the air, the commercial glycerin available already contains about 5 percent water by volume. When you calculate an appropriate amount of (absolute) glycerin for its preservative action in a custom menstruum, allow for this. If you make a menstruum of 50 percent glycerin and 50 percent water figuring that 50 percent glycerin in the solution will be an adequate preservative, remember that, in fact, this proportion will contain only approximately 45 percent (absolute) glycerin by volume and approximately 55 percent water (approximately 5 percent of which was resident in the commercial glycerin). This is why I suggest using 55–60 percent glycerin by volume in the menstruum for extracting dry plant material. When extracting fresh undried plant, the plant’s juices must also be taken into consideration. If it is a very juicy plant such as fresh Dandelion, Cleavers, or Scullcap I make it a 1:2 w/v using 80–90 percent glycerin. For the relatively unjuicy fresh plants that will not dilute the menstruum to any great extent like Oregon Grape, Red Root, or Uva Ursi, one can use less glycerin. This is all part of the experimentation and sharing of experience by herbalists that needs to be attended to in order to revive this portion of our craft.
PRESERVATION AND STORAGE
Preserve all glycerites in airtight, light-resistant containers and avoid exposure to direct sunlight and excessive heat. Refrigerate when possible.
DOSAGE
Glycerites are normally more concentrated than either infusions or decoctions and therefore stronger. The dosage to be taken can be smaller. The dosage again depends on the herb at hand and the size of the person taking the glycerite. When using mild tonic herbs take up to five droppersful in a glass of water 2 to 3 times a day; for a more intense herb use anywhere from 10 to 25 drops 3 to 4 times a day.
MAKING GLYCERITES USING DRIED PLANT MATERIAL
Folk Method
See Chapter Twelve for the definition and discussion of “folk method.”
1. Grind dried herb to a moderately coarse powder (mcp).
2. Place the powdered herb into a large jar that can be tightly closed.
3. If blending other solvents (water, vinegar, alcohol) with glycerin for your menstruum, be sure to mix together all the liquids of the menstruum thoroughly in a separate container before adding them to the powdered plant material.
4. Add prepared menstruum to powdered herb.
5. Stir the mixture well, so that all the herb is wet.
6. Add sufficient menstruum to the wet herb, so that about 1/4 inch of extra menstruum sits atop the herb; if the herb is floating, 1/4 inch below the herb.
7. Cap jar tightly* and shake contents well.
8. Check the jar after 12 hours. If the herb has absorbed the menstruum, add a sufficient amount of menstruum to re-establish the 1/4 inch of extra liquid.
9. Shake the glycerite frequently for 14 days.
10. Decant liquid, press the remaining wet pulp, and combine these two liquids (see discussions about decanting and pressing in Chapter Twenty-Five).
11. Filter if desired (many glycerites filter very slowly).
12. Bottle, tightly cap, and label.
Dr. Edward Shook’s Method**
8 oz. Powdered herb
2 quarts Distilled water (plus a little extra held aside)
1/4 oz. Potassium sulfate (vitriolated tartar)
8 oz. Glycerin
Dissolve the potassium sulfate in water, add the powdered herb, and simmer until the liquid is reduced to 1 quart. Strain and retain this decoction and the herb. Again, add enough water to just cover the herb. Simmer this for 10 minutes. Strain and retain the liquid. Combine the two liquors, and add the glycerin, blending thoroughly. Cool the mixture, bottle in amber-colored