How many of you are making your own tinctures?

Which alcohols are you using, and are you making them at the recommended ratios?

I'll probably continue with what's in my head, but I thought I'd ask.

There aren't many options as far as alcohol that's not flavored, right type, or the correct proof, at least not readily available. I've been looking at online sources, but most seem to sell in larger quantities, and they're expensive.

I'm ready to kick up some doses on certain things (red root, knotweed, couple others), and I'd prefer to not be spending hundreds a month on tinctures.

Thanks, y'all

I tincture most of my herbs using grain alcohol (190 proof/90% alcohol), and add the appropriate amount of water to it, when needed. Besides, it's cheap, and I can buy it locally. Now the problem is, it's made from corn usually, so most will want to avoid it, but I don't have the kind of money available to spend to get the completely organic grain alcohols.

Vodka is usually made from potatoes, so if a person is avoiding potatoes, that's not a good option either. I believe it comes down to what you're willing to use, and how the person responds to it.

I have only used other alcohols for specific recipes that I have tried.

Let us know NQA - how it goes (if you do indeed make your own)

A couple of us in a lyme support group all chipped in to make tinctures long ago and we used this company. We wanted organic, non-gmo alcohol and to ensure that, we went with grape.

organicalcohol.com

Okay, so I'm very thankful for the recommendations. You guys are awesome.

Though, I've concerns. Keep in mind that a lot of my posting here is done as a way to force myself to think about the situation as much as it is to draw answers from my peers.

See, I've been using a lot of tinctures. A dozen, I'd say. Some individual extracts, and others compounds. In fact, the bulk of the herbal side of my protocol has switched to that medium.

It's easy. The alcohol, while one of my concerns, is appealing in that it increases the availability of the medicinal components. Right? Also, while I haven't studied it thoroughly, they're marketed as having pulled both the alcohol-soluble and water-soluble pieces of the herb.

I've read that certain herbs can be better as teas, and I'm sure the same would apply to others as far as powdered herbs in capsules go, but tinctures are cool, right?

Anyway, I'm wondering, while the amount of alcohol in each dose is minimal, does it all add up? Will it have a significant impact on the imbalance of flora?

Will choosing to use non-organic, store-bought-whatever alcohol further contribute?

I wouldn't say I have a full-blown infestation - though, these things present differently in some people, I suppose - but I'd definitely say I'm in a state of constant turbulence. I have very profound reactions to even the most small of starchy vegetables, low sugar fruits, etc. I live off of green vegetables, meats, and oils.

I've not been able to pinpoint what exactly it is. Candida, a type of mold, etc. I definitely feel we have a mold problem, and I'm working on that, best I can, but it's not an option to move or remediate currently. I make do.

My gut is definitely in a way, and I know aggressive treatment is not the route to take, but I really can't afford to neglect to treat. It's really all I can do to keep myself from getting sicker. Healing is not really a viable outlook in my head right now, as positive as I try to be.

I need to do well in school, which will allow me to leave this house, and afford better treatment. Until then, I can't function at my "peak" - laughable, really - unless I treat.

I don't have time to capsule up powders, make teas for every herb that's prescribed for the various infections, and make tinctures, not to mention supplements, timing binders, and performing regular self-cares.

Bringing it back to the alcohol, I'm not trying to pay $200 for a gallon of alcohol. I might end up burning myself taking the cheaper route, but that's just not enough for me to make tinctures in the amounts I'd like and be cost-efficient.

You see Buhner's recommendations for half of tsp, full teaspoons, etc. I've worked up to 1/4 on a lot of them, and I'd like to go further, but I'm not paying Woodland Essence $1000 a month when I could do it myself. 'Specially for the supportive, lymph, inflammation type stuff. I accidentally poured a little too much Calm the Cascade into my water a couple weeks ago (it was the end of the bottle) and I definitely noticed a change for the better.

Anyway, yeah... curious, what volumes did you make, PeteZa?

Thank you, guys. Feel free to read and respond, if you're feeling helpful. Otherwise, I'll just keep rolling along.

Antonio,

Maybe make a small batch first with the cheap stuff and try it out. Get the experience of actually making it. See how you respond to the homemade tincture. Then you can decide how much time and money to invest in making your own.