Celebrate “culture” in agriculture & share skills like growing, cooking, canning

Fresh Basil Tincture

Originally posted at Back to the Basics:

So far I have shared Chamomile tincture and Cayenne tincture recipes. You can read about Basil here.

"One of the primary medicinal uses for basil is for its anti-inflammatory properties. This effect stems from eugenol, a volatile oil in basil that blocks enzymes in the body that cause swelling, making basil an ideal treatment for people with arthritis.

Basil, especially as an extract or oil, is known to have exceptionally powerful antioxidant properties that can protect the body from premature aging, common skin issues, age-related problems and even some types of cancer. The herb also contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin, which are plant pigments that shield your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage.

Basil oil can be used to treat constipation, stomach cramps and indigestion as well as the cold, flu, asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis and sinus infections. It is also a great source of magnesium, an essential mineral that helps the body’s blood vessels relax, which can improve blood flow."

If you were to purchase a tincture in the store, it would cost approx $45 for 4 ounces. Making your own is the best way to go. Now for the recipe!!!

Fresh Basil Tincture

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh Basil, chopped

2 cups Everclear

Directions

Place the herbs in your jar and cover with Everclear. Shake every other day (or every day) **Label your jar**

Tincture is ready in 4-6 weeks, strain out herbs and place in a darker jar or leave in a dark place (cabinet).

Dosage for Adults: 1 - 2 ml, two times daily

*Because I used alcohol as the solvent and I'll keep the finished tincture in an amber bottle, this herbal remedy should last indefinitely. I could pass it on to the next generation but we'll use it up before then!

Tags: herbal, homemade, remedy, tincture

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Comment by Marianne Smith on January 30, 2013 at 2:53pm: Hey Bruce! A tincture uses alcohol (or glycerin) to extract from the herb (plant/berry/root). I have read that an extract is a more concentrated herbal tincture. My tincture recipes sit for 4-6 weeks before I use them and the extract is 2-3 months. I made my own vanilla extract using whole vanilla beans and alcohol and I leave the beans in for good. I hope this helps!

You might also like "What is a Tincture?" Explained

Comment by Bruce Grieve on January 30, 2013 at 2:05pm: I am very interested in tinctures, and extracts and possibly oils. Can you explain the difference between Tinctures and Extracts?