Herbal Tinctures

[etdeb]

Lets talk Mullin leaf.
Anyone here make tinctures.
I have my dried Mullin leaves and my brandy how do I make the tincture.
I broke down and bought some at farmers market to get me thru the bout of bronchitis. Ten days fighting the racking cough until last night. Two droppers under my tongue and i slept cough free for 5 hours then did it again.
I have tried to sleep the past 9 nights but not more than a hour and then racking coughing spells so I was up, hardly more than 3 or 4 hours total sleep each night then pulling 12 to 14 hr shift at work fighting the coughing until i would loose my breath.
Back on fire cider also. I have had pneumonia 18 times in 25 years, and 90 thru 2006 bronchitis almost year round. Found fire cider in 2007 and could fight it off most of the time.
I can see how whoop cough is so hard on younglings.

 

[summerthyme]

If you have a way to weigh the mullein, the standard ratio is 1 ounce of herb to 5 ounces of alcohol. Let soak for 30 days, then strain and use.

I don't have lung issues anymore, although as a kid I'd have bronchitis multiple times every winter... it's miserable! But I've got something going on with constant post nasal drip (more like a river running down the back of my throat!), and the constant coughing, gagging and hacking is driving me nuts! It's exhausting.

Prayers from here that you feel better soon!

Summerthyme

 

[Border Collie Dad]

What kind of alcohol, please?
I see etdeb mentions brandy.
Summerthyme, if you figure out that sinus thing, please post

 

[ioujc]

I always thought you used vodka.....that is why I bought 3 bottles of it..... certainly NOT to drink.....BLACH!!

 

[summerthyme]

Vodka is best, because alcohols with color and flavor can't take up as much of the active chemicals in the herb. But many folks like to use brandy for better flavor, and it does work... you might need a slightly larger dose.

As far as the post-nasal drip, according to my PCP yesterday, it's *everywhere *. Sudafed helps mine, but I don't like taking it very often.. it messes with my blood pressure.

Summerthyme

 

[moldy]

Most of the time 60 percent alcohol will do the trick. Vodka, even the cheap kind works great. If you're tincturing something thick and sticky like gum weed or wild lettuce, higher alcohol is better, like everclear.

 

[etdeb]

If you have a way to weigh the mullein, the standard ratio is 1 ounce of herb to 5 ounces of alcohol. Let soak for 30 days, then strain and use.

I don't have lung issues anymore, although as a kid I'd have bronchitis multiple times every winter... it's miserable! But I've got something going on with constant post nasal drip (more like a river running down the back of my throat!), and the constant coughing, gagging and hacking is driving me nuts! It's exhausting.

Prayers from here that you feel better soon!

Summerthyme

Thanks ST, i do have the weight on the whole bag.
Yes this is part of my problem also.
In 1990 i had spinal fluid leak into sinus and down my throat. Surgery fixed leak but caused sinus issue ever since. The day i went into surgery I was loosing 2.5 oz an hour if fluid and surgery put me in induced coma 10 days.
My lungs are clear the rattle racking g cough if more in my throat.
It sounds awful, but no sore throat not lung congestion. My daughter says it is worse than a smoker coughing up a lung.
NP wont give my anything for it. She says OTC is best.
This is the only thing I hate about having medicare now is cant use really good urgent care clinic anymore.

 

[etdeb]

ST "drip (more like a river running down the back of my throat!), and the constant coughing, gagging and hacking is driving me nuts! It's exhausting." Yes this is me.

 

[etdeb]

What i bought is in brandy. I have Vodka. Brandy even some original Pop Corn Suttons moonshine.
I have to say the brandy tincture I bought does not burn as bad.
Now with ST advice on better outcome with clear I will use Vodka. I was told years ago when I made elderberry tincture the cheaper the vodka the better.

 

[hiwall]

If you have a way to weigh the mullein, the standard ratio is 1 ounce of herb to 5 ounces of alcohol. Let soak for 30 days, then strain and use.

I assume you are talking about dried mullein and not fresh?

 

[etdeb]

I assume you are talking about dried mullein and not fresh?

Yes i have dried

 

[summerthyme]

I assume you are talking about dried mullein and not fresh?

Yes...

Summerthyme

 

[John Deere Girl]

Vodka is best, because alcohols with color and flavor can't take up as much of the active chemicals in the herb. But many folks like to use brandy for better flavor, and it does work... you might need a slightly larger dose.

As far as the post-nasal drip, according to my PCP yesterday, it's *everywhere *. Sudafed helps mine, but I don't like taking it very often.. it messes with my blood pressure.

Summerthyme

I've had the post nasal drip since I had COVID, and I've heard that from several other people too.

 

[summerthyme]

I've had the post nasal drip since I had COVID, and I've heard that from several other people too.

Yeah... that's my suspicion of the cause. Although recently, I'm thinking I may have a sinus infection... (TMI, sorry) the mucous has changed from clear and tasteless to thicker and rather gross. No sinus headache or anything, but I'm probably going to try a course of antibiotics soon if it doesn't clear up.

Summerthyme

 

[summerthyme]

What i bought is in brandy. I have Vodka. Brandy even some original Pop Corn Suttons moonshine.
I have to say the brandy tincture I bought does not burn as bad.
Now with ST advice on better outcome with clear I will use Vodka. I was told years ago when I made elderberry tincture the cheaper the vodka the better.

The reason vodka is better is the alcohol molecules in flavored booze are partially "busy" already, having absorbed the color and flavors, which makes it less able to absorb the actives in the herb.

Somewhere, I have a little book called Handmade Medicines by Christopher Hobbs, which has a wonderful table in back describing the optimum proof (alcohol/water ratio) for dozens of common herbs. The reason that's important is that some herbal constituents don't dissolve well in alcohol, but do in water, and vice versa.

It's just a small paperback, but it was out of print for a long time, and prices for used were over $100 at one point! I don't know if it's still available, but it's a reference I'd put near the top of my "essential " list. Unfortunately, mine is buried somewhere in the 300 boxes of books in our storage containers, or I'd scan those tables and bring them here.

Summerthyme

 

[ioujc]

Yeah... that's my suspicion of the cause. Although recently, I'm thinking I may have a sinus infection... (TMI, sorry) the mucous has changed from clear and tasteless to thicker and rather gross. No sinus headache or anything, but I'm probably going to try a course of antibiotics soon if it doesn't clear up.

Summerthyme

Please get better. We NEED you here, besides I really like ya!!!

 

[summerthyme]

Please get better. We NEED you here, besides I really like ya!!!

Thank you! I'm gonna be scarce the rest if the day... hubby and ds are away at a father and sons bonding and hunting weekend. ( I love that our sons, now in their late 30s and 40s, make time to spend with their dad), and DDIL has to work until 8 pm. So I've got the three scamps starting in about 20 minutes... won't be online u til tomorrow.

Summerthyme

 

[Fairwillows]

Preaching the saline (homemade or store bought) small bottle 1.5 oz, put 1/2 tsp. providone Iodine in to it. Shake and use throughout the day. The Doctor that I saw that recommended it said his staff use it throughout the day without issue. My 3 oz. bottle I use 1 tsp. Iodine kills staph, strep and a large variety of virus, the salt benefits the sinus. And you're getting a dose of iodine daily. I am not a doctor, and do not pretend to be one....just sharing what I use.

 

[GingerN]

Preaching the saline (homemade or store bought) small bottle 1.5 oz, put 1/2 tsp. providone Iodine in to it. Shake and use throughout the day. The Doctor that I saw that recommended it said his staff use it throughout the day without issue. My 3 oz. bottle I use 1 tsp. Iodine kills staph, strep and a large variety of virus, the salt benefits the sinus. And you're getting a dose of iodine daily. I am not a doctor, and do not pretend to be one....just sharing what I use.

this is an old thread, so please forgive me, but I have a question for you. A couple actually. What percentage iodine are you using? I have some 7 and 10 in the barn, but the 10 is a little old. 2. Is this used for a preventative or as an after the fact?

 

[summerthyme]

this is an old thread, so please forgive me, but I have a question for you. A couple actually. What percentage iodine are you using? I have some 7 and 10 in the barn, but the 10 is a little old. 2. Is this used for a preventative or as an after the fact?

Ooohhh... PLEASE be careful with those strong iodine preparations! A 7% solution can cause 3rd degree burns if applied to the skin, and covered. I've seen it... ugly doesn't begin to cover it!

Povidone-iodine is Betadine (generic). It's 1% iodine in solution. I wouldn't use anything stronger.

Summerthyme

 

[Fairwillows]

this is an old thread, so please forgive me, but I have a question for you. A couple actually. What percentage iodine are you using? I have some 7 and 10 in the barn, but the 10 is a little old. 2. Is this used for a preventative or as an after the fact?

Povidone-iodine is Betadine (generic). It's 1% iodine in solution. I wouldn't use anything stronger.

Not sure about this, would appreciate more info. The solution I make is used for both a preventative and it's used more frequently when I have a sinus issue. Using this solution helps keep my eustachian tubes clear, helping to prevent ear aches which have plagued me since I was a child.

I've been using the Providone-Iodine at 10% since 2020. I've used it topically on scratches. It has never burned me. I've gargled with a solution of salt water and providone iodine, helped clear up a sinus infection. Am I missing something? I should have clarified in my post what kind of iodine I use, sorry I left that part out. After I have made the saline (1 cup) I fill my bottle. If its 1.5 oz. I put in 1/2 tsp. If it's the 3 oz. bottle I use 1 tsp. of providone iodine.

I also use 1 tsp. of salt to 1 cup of warm water when making saline. What works for me, may not work for everyone. I guess you could start with 1/2 tsp. of salt to a cup and see how you react.

 

[summerthyme]

GingerN was discussing iodine preparations which are 10% or 7% iodine. They are known in the field as "strong" iodine. They are ... or used to be... used to cause severe skin blistering on horses legs, which used to be thought to somehow help injuries like torn tendons or ligaments heal. It only works because of the enforced stall rest required after the treatment, and is barbaric.

Povidone-iodine ( brand name Betadine) is 1% iodine as it comes from the store. Dairy farmers commonly use a 1% iodine solution to dip teats after milking, to prevent infection until the teat orifice tightens closed. That strength is considered safe for use on delicate skin, although probably not on mucous membranes.

Your solution is using approximately 2.5 ccs of a 1% solution to 45 ccs saline. Roughly, a 5% solution. That makes it .05% iodine... which should be perfectly safe, even in the confined spaces and delicate mucous membranes of the sinuses.

Make sense?

Summerthyme

 

[Fairwillows]

@summerthyme Thanks so much for that info!!! I love your wealth of knowledge and appreciate you very much

 

[Mtsilverback]

I had I sinus infection that I treated with consuming large quantities of cayenne pepper. Takes care of the dripping nose and sinus pressure.

 

[Mtsilverback]

Lets talk Mullin leaf.
Anyone here make tinctures.
I have my dried Mullin leaves and my brandy how do I make the tincture.
I broke down and bought some at farmers market to get me thru the bout of bronchitis. Ten days fighting the racking cough until last night. Two droppers under my tongue and i slept cough free for 5 hours then did it again.
I have tried to sleep the past 9 nights but not more than a hour and then racking coughing spells so I was up, hardly more than 3 or 4 hours total sleep each night then pulling 12 to 14 hr shift at work fighting the coughing until i would loose my breath.
Back on fire cider also. I have had pneumonia 18 times in 25 years, and 90 thru 2006 bronchitis almost year round. Found fire cider in 2007 and could fight it off most of the time.
I can see how whoop cough is so hard on younglings.

Never mind!

 

[cetansa]

What i bought is in brandy. I have Vodka. Brandy even some original Pop Corn Suttons moonshine.
I have to say the brandy tincture I bought does not burn as bad.
Now with ST advice on better outcome with clear I will use Vodka. I was told years ago when I made elderberry tincture the cheaper the vodka the better.

Since I am no longer in NC (where I had access to Pop Corns Shine) thussly I utilize, EVERCLEAR for my tintures and dilute with well/spring/filtered water to desired % after working it. Yes I use the 190 proof but the 151 proof works as well and NO Vodka taste on either. Permanent point of fact Pop Corns Shine was the best smoothest and scarey sippin juice.