The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [104]
The Weight to Volume Method
See Chapter Twelve for further discussion and details on preparing weight to volume (w/v) extracts.
Preparing the custom menstruum
• Sample measurements for making a 1:4 w/v or 25% glycerite. YIELD: ABOUT 800 ml
200 Gm Dry herb (in moderately coarse powder)
480 ml Glycerin (60 percent by volume of the menstruum)
320 ml Distilled water
• Sample measurements for making a 1:5 w/v or 20% glycerite which includes 5% vinegar. YIELD: ABOUT 1000 ml
200 Gm Dry herb (in moderately coarse powder)
600 ml Glycerin (60 percent by volume of the menstruum)
50 ml Vinegar (5 percent)
350 ml Distilled water
• Sample measurements for making a 1:10 w/v or 10% glycerite which includes 15% alcohol. YIELD: ABOUT 2000 ml
200 Gm Dry herb (in moderately coarse powder)
1000 ml Glycerin (50 percent by volume of the menstruum)
300 ml Ethyl alcohol (15 percent)
700 ml Distilled water
Making the glycerite
1. Powder and weigh dried plant and place the powder into a large jar that can be tightly closed.
2. Prepare custom menstruum (see samples above). When 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.
3. Add menstruum to powdered herb.
4. Stir well making sure all of the powdered herb is wet.
5. Cap jar tightly and shake contents well.
6. Shake glycerite frequently for 14 days.
7. Decant, press, and filter (most glycerites filter very slowly).
8. Bottle, tightly cap, and label.
PORTRAIT OF A SUPERSOLVENT
Extracts most herbal components. Mixes well with other solvents, especially water and alcohol. Does not cause inebriation and does not mug one’s liver. Is a non-sugar sweetener that does not derange ones blood sugar level, is a good preservative, is colorless and odorless, tastes good, is free to cross borders, and can even be kosher.
MAKING GLYCERITES USING FRESH PLANT MATERIAL
The McQuade-Izard Folk Method
This process makes delightfully colored and flavorful extracts.
1. No matter what fresh herb you’re using, fill your maceration container, packing it to medium density.
2. Dump this out and weigh it; note the weight.
3. Transfer this fresh herb to a blender.
4. Add sufficient (measured amount of) glycerin to cover the herb and blend until blender top is warm.
This process coats the fresh herb with the glycerin and to a large extent eliminates oxidation of the plant components as the blades break down cell walls.
5. Add more glycerin as needed to fully cover the herb (keep note of the amount added). Fresh plants carry their own water, so most fresh plants can be blended directly with glycerin without the addition of water. This depends, however, on the water content of the herb (make notes).
6. Pour blended marc and menstruum back into the maceration container and cap tightly.
7. Agitate twice daily for 14 days.
8. Strain, press, and store in amber-colored bottles.
With certain herbs, you may want to add more glycerin after maceration and pressing to improve preservation. Be aware that this will dilute the strength of the finished glycerite. Shelf-life will be between 1 and 3 years depending on the water content of the fresh plant used. The more water content by volume, the less preservative power the glycerin will have. Make appropriate adjustments.
The Weight to Volume (w/v) Method
Preparing the custom menstruum
• Sample measurements for making a 1:2 w/v or 50% fresh, juicy plant glycerite
400 Gm Fresh herb (chopped)
800 ml Glycerin (100 percent by volume of the menstruum)
• Sample measurements for making a 1:2 w/v or 50% fresh, not-so-juicy plant glycerite
400 Gm Fresh herb (chopped)
600 ml Glycerin (75 percent by volume of the menstruum)
200 ml Distilled water
Making the glycerite
1. Chop the plant into