Tinctures

Well, my tinctures are done. All I have to do is strain them, which I will do either later today or tomorrow. I'm trying to figure out the best way to take photos of them.

Sadly though, my Echinacea one failed. It has a white sort of substance in it that settles to the bottom. I've been in touch with my facilitator and she is going to send me another batch of Echinacea so I can redo the tincture. That to me is AWESOME!

I truly don't know what happened. It was completely covered with the alcohol and water. I shook it everyday. It was in a dark place, well as dark a spot as I could have in my room, no direct light at all. The only thing I can assume is it may have been the temperature of my room, but I'm not sure since the other two weren't affected.

Anyway soon as I figure out basically lighting for some pictures, I'll put them up.

Tinctures almost done.

So, a couple more days and my tinctures should be done. I'm excited and nervous.
I'm not sure what all they are supposed to look like.

The Skullcap looks to have a deep mossy green color. The Echinachea has an orangy brown color, but looks a bit murky. The cramp bark looks brown, kind of reminds me of mud. I think the one I am most worried about is the Echinachea, I don't know why. Maybe it's the murky look to the liquid. I can strain them all on Friday.

Tincture process has begun

Finally, my tinctures have been started. I've been afraid to make them honestly. I kept thinking that what if I add too much alcohol or not enough. What about the water, what if I add too much of it or what kind should I use? I mean our tap water 99% of the time smells like bleach. Should I use it but boil it or should I used bottled or distilled? So I posed my water question to my facilitator and based on her response, I chose to get some bottled water. But....I was still very much afraid of messing it up.

Well, today I decided to just take the plunge and do it. It's not going to get done by itself and no one can or will do it for me. So I sat down today and began the process. I add the water and alcohol, closed the lids and shook the jars a little. I will have to shake them everyday for the next two weeks.

I am making 3 tinctures: Echinacea, Cramp bark, and Skullcap. The Skullcap reminded me a little of the smell of dried parsley. The echinacea reminded me of a very old drug store I used to go to as a kid. And the cramp bark smell well like wood and made me sneeze.

So in two weeks I'll have my tinctures. I hope :D