Herbal Cold Remedies
Echinacea Tincture
Echinacea is a proven ally in herbal cold remedies.
Save money by learning how to make your own echinacea tincture!
An echinacea tincture is like an herbal tea but using alcohol instead of water.
It is much stronger than a tea and lasts much longer.
Tinctures can be taken internally as for a cold or used externally as for
acne.
Making tinctures is really quite simple! Echinacea is easy to come by.
You can grow or buy
echinacea. It is known as purple coneflower or echinacea purpurea or echinacea angustifolia
How much is safe to take for an adult? 5 ml or 1 teaspoon 3-5 times a day. Children can take echinace
tincture as well but in smaller doses.
Please don't take echinacea if you have autoimmune disorders.
Echinacea Tincture
You will need:
- A canning jar with lid-whatever size you want for the quantity you wish to make.
- 80-100 proof vodka-that equates to 40%-50% alcohol content.
- Echinacea root-dried and powdered (use a coffee grinder or the classic mortar and pestle).
Follow these easy steps to making your own herbal cold remedy:
- Wash and sterilize the canning jar. Dishwasher is great for this.
- Use a ratio of 1:5 to determine how much herb and how much alcohol to use.
Example: 20g echinacea root to 100 ml vodka.
- Place herb in jar. Pour the vodka over the herbs and let
it surround the herbs in the jar. Completely cover the herbs. If you need to add a bit more
vodka to cover the echinacea, go ahead.
- Cap tightly. Label with contents and date. Let sit for 3-6 weeks in a dark cupboard.
Give the jar a shake daily and check to make sure the herbs are still covered.
Add more vodka if needed.
- After 3-6 weeks, line a colander with cheesecloth and place over a bowl large enough to catch the tincture.
Pour the tincture through to strain. Gather cheesecloth up and squeeze out all the goodness from the herb.
- Pour Echinacea Tincture into a glass bottle, preferably amber.
Store tincture away from direct light and heat. Label with contents and date.
Something like..."Echinacea Tincture in vodka. 07/25/09".
You can expect this herbal cold remedy to last up to three years.
That
ought to be good for a few colds!
Related Articles
Sore Throat Remedies
A list of good at home sore throat remedies to soothe a sore throat. Many ingredients are found easily in the kitchen!
Natural Cough Remedies
Natural cough remedies using herbs and other natural products to soothe that nasty cough!
Read more about Cold Remedies
Learn how to make a Glycerite for Natural Cold Remedies
Learn how to make a Lemon Echinacea Ginger Tea for Common Cold Remedies
Learn how to use Hydrotherapy in Home Remedies For Colds
Learn how to make a Eucalyptus Steam with Herbs For Congestion
|
