Tinctures are the most convenient way to take herbal medicine. They're simple to make and all you have to do is pop a few drops in your mouth or glass of water. But they're expensive to buy. A simple turmeric tincture can cost you around $10 for an ounce. But if you plan well in time, you can make your own for just $1 for an ounce.
My family loves when fresh turmeric arrives at home. The possibilities for using this spice are endless. And in general, we use a lot of turmeric in our cooking.
And with its many other benefits, it's always good to have Turmeric Tincture in your apothecary.
What is a tincture?
A tincture is a concentrated herbal extract simply made using two to three ingredients. Most tinctures are made from alcohol which is one of the best ways to extract the right benefits from any medicinal plant. Non-alcoholic tinctures are made with vinegar and are not as concentrated.
The Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric is what gives all yummy curries a rich yellow colour. Science has recently started backing up traditional claims that turmeric has medicinal properties.
Here's what research has found
1. Arthritis patients respond well to curcumin supplements.
2. Curcumin may help delay ageing and fight age-related diseases.
3. Turmeric increases the antioxidant capacity of the body.
4. Curcumin may be used to treat depression.
5. Turmeric may help prevent cancer.
6. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric.
7. Curcumin breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil. Hence, many people take curcumin supplements with a meal that’s high in fat.
8. Curcumin is naturally anti-inflammatory.
9. Curcumin can lower your risk of heart disease.
10. Curcumin may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s.
Where can I buy Turmeric?
Fresh Turmeric root is easily available in all fruit and vegetable stores and markets. It’s a very common spice used in many culinary preparations. Many herbalists and gardeners grow their turmeric too, and others order it from online groceries shops as well.
Equipment Required To Make Homemade Turmeric Tincture
The equipment required to make herbal tinctures is very minimal.
Mason Jars: Regular mason jars work, but amber jars prevent light damage. Make sure the lid is tight-fitting.
Funnel: A medium-sized funnel with a couple of layers of cheesecloth works best when decanting the finished Turmeric tincture.
The tincture must be stored in a dark amber glass bottle with a dropper to protect its medicinal compounds
Lastly, label your tinctures with blank adhesive labels or tags
Disclaimer: You must always consult your doctor or clinical herbalist before you try any new herbal remedy. There is a possibility of an unintended reaction/consequence/side effect. I am not a practising clinical herbalist and the following is based on my research and experience. If you are foraging in the wild, please be 100% sure of the identification of the plant.
Let’s Make Homemade Turmeric Tincture
Turmeric roots, cut up into smaller pieces, are used to make the tincture because that's where all the medicinal constituents are stored.
Take a clean jar and fill 2/3 with ground Turmeric root. Make sure you have cleaned and washed the roots extremely well.
DO NOT pack them to the brim.
Next, pour alcohol just an inch below the lid. I use Smirnoff Vodka because it's inexpensive and tasty, I mean you will be dropping the tincture into your mouth eventually. You can use any other ethyl alcohol you like as long as it is 80-proof (or 40%) alcohol. Anything below will ruin your tincture.
Never use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) as it is poisonous and can make you extremely ill. You may use rubbing alcohol in herbal liniments as it's for external use but be sure to label them carefully.
Alright, on to the next step. Give the jar a gentle shake and then store it in a cool, dry place which is void of any direct light, like a kitchen cabinet.
Repeat gently shaking the jar for a few days and monitor the alcohol levels. Dried matter invariably absorbs more alcohol. In such cases, simply open the jar and top the Turmeric root off with more alcohol.
After about 6 weeks, your tincture is ready for decantation. Place a folded cheesecloth over a medium-sized funnel. Make sure the tip of the funnel is placed into the neck of a dark amber glass bottle. Slowly pour the tincture into the bottle through the funnel, while making sure you squeeze the root chunks in the cheesecloth to the last drop.
Label the bottle with its contents, the date it was bottled, the dosage and what it can be used for.
The colour of the tincture is absolutely gorgeous.
Turmeric Root Tincture Dosage
Turmeric tincture is very easy to use.
You just need a 1ml tincture dissolved in a glass of water to be taken 2-3 times a day. So you're not only receiving amazing health benefits but also drinking more water. Alternatively, mix the drops into fruit juice if you’re struggling with the taste.
TURMERIC ROOT TINCTURE
Prep Time: 10 mins
Active Time: 10 mins
Additional Time: 6 weeks
Difficulty: Easy
There's an old saying that you should look for a herbal remedy that has the qualities you would want in yourself. Traditional folk herbalists always kept Turmeric handy.
Materials
- Turmeric root, freshly ground
- Vodka or any other high-proof alcohol (or vegetable glycerin if making an alcohol-free tincture- see notes)
Tools
- Mason Jar (pint) with a tight lid
- Funnel
- Cheesecloth
- Dark amber dropper bottles
- Labels or Tags
Instructions
1. Fill a dry and clean mason jar 2/3 with ground Turmeric root.
2. Pour alcohol over the material, one inch below the lid.
3. Screw the lid tightly and gently shake the jar, allowing it to settle naturally.
4. Store in a cool dry place, away from direct light, like a kitchen cabinet, for the next 6 weeks.
5. Shake alcohol-based tinctures every few days and glycerite every day. If alcohol levels decrease, top it off.
6. Once ready, decant it using a funnel with cheesecloth lined in it. Place the tip of the funnel in the neck of the dark amber bottle.
7. Pour the tincture and squeeze the cheesecloth for all the extract.
8. Label with its contents, the date it was bottled, the dosage and what it can be used for.
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