When can you create an Echinacea Tincture?

The answer - Summer, fall and spring! 

It is October and Fall is here. The Echinacea is nearly dormant.

This morning I had an out of state request for Echinacea Tincture. Not wishing to be unlawful and ship alcohol over state lines, I dug the roots, picked seed heads and a few leaves that were still filled with the plant's energy.

The roots were cleaned and spread out to dry. The seeds pulled out of the seed heads using needle-nosed pliers. The leaves were checked for dirt. Once the roots are dry the package will be put in the mail with the following instructions on making a tincture.

Instructions:

Chop the roots and the leaves into small pieces and place in a jar that has a tightly fitting top, for example, a preserving jar. Add the seeds. Pour 100 proof vodka (50% alcohol) to cover plus an additional two inches above the plant material. Label the jar with a list of the contents and the date. Put an end date as well. Place on the counter where you will see it daily. Give the jar a good shake every day for four to six weeks. When the time is up strain the liquid into a glass jar - dark blue or brown are best. Store in a dark, cool place.

For the rest of the year...

 

Early in the Spring, before the plants start growing you could harvest roots. Chop the roots into small pieces and place in a jar that has a tightly fitting top, for example, a preserving jar. Pour 100 proof vodka (50% alcohol) to cover plus an additional two inches above the plant material. Label the jar with a list of the contents and the date. Once the plants are growing collect leaves and buds and add to your jar, adjusting the level of the vodka and the date. In the Summer add blossoms and leaves repeat the same process. Place on the counter where you will see it daily. Give the jar a good shake every day for four to six weeks. When the time is up strain the liquid into a glass jar - dark blue or brown are best. Store in a dark, cool place.

Sign in to Learning Herbs (https://learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/strep-throat-remedy/) for how to use your tincture plus lots more free information for the whole family.

Rosemary Gladstar has posted a video on making your own tincture. It is a great way to start your herbal journey.

https://youtu.be/__AfuXwS36I

 

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Time give your immune system a boost?

Echinacea is known for raising the body's natural resistance to infection. 

Echinacea is native to Appalachia and the Midwest and is grown in many gardens here in the north east. You may be able to harvest your own this year!

This Rosemary Gladstar video will show you how easy it can be to make your own echinacea tincture from dried echinacea root. To get started now you may find the echinacea root at your local natural food market. In Gloucester we are fortunate to have Common Crow which has a wide selection of herbs and many other items. Mountain Rose Herbs also offers high quality herbs.

Another way to tincture echinacea is to use the whole plant collecting the leaves, buds, blossoms and roots during the growing season. A complete description for this method is found in Rosemary's book, Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use. Set up the harvesting schedule on your calendar starting this spring!

Many of the plants used in Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use can be found in your garden or your kitchen. Learn how to identify and harvest your own.

Trillium multiplying

A surprise tucked behind the echinacea!

In the last few years there have been one or two trillium in this part of the garden. This year a whole family!!! Both are on the At-Risk List at United Plant Savers. Ah, spring . . .

Poor man's fertilizer . . .

I remember snow being called poor man's fertilizer . . .

Well - we have several inches on the ground this morning. It looks beautiful! And is insulating the perennials as well.

Here are some echinacea seed pods bending under the weight of Mother Nature's fertilizer this morning. The snow is also dropping off the tree branches above the greenhouse. Sounds like corn popping in there!

The sun is shining brightly . . .

There is heat in the sun as it crosses my hands on the keyboard and it feels wonderful. The seed and plant catalogs continue to arrive. Spring will be here in a blink of an eye. Hope I am ready!

This year there will be a concentration on learning more about the plants here, what parts to use, best growing conditions and what purposes the plants can be put to.

Echinacea will be the first 'under the magnifier' for me. Last month when I felt a cold coming on I used a tincture I made two years age using the Herbal Medicine Making Kit from Learning Herbs. I felt better by morning. I have used the echinacea tincture twice more. I have not been sick yet. Was it the echinacea tincture? Or not. All I know is I have not been stricken so far. There are so many variables and as a gardener of a small plot of land there will be no high priced, scientific testing. Only ardent observations, testing and careful use of the preparations.

As I have been gathering information, I came across this thought provoking blog post by Kiva Rose on The Medicine Woman's Roots called The Core Nature of Plants.

Medicinal non-hybrid seeds

Information provided by Heirloom Seeds

Package includes one pack each of the following 15 herbs (all seeds are non hybrid) and the booklet, NATURAL AND HERBAL FAMILY REMEDIES by Cynthia Black

For centuries, herbs and other natural products have been used as health aids and remedies. This booklet explains how to make various creams, infusions, ointments and poultices to help relieve many common ailments. Sections on skin care, sore throats and colds, herbal teas, hair care, healing soups and soothing aches and pains.

Complete package - $20 - available at: Heirloom Seeds

ANGELICA - Dried leaves are used to make an infusion (tea) to improve energy, stimulate circulation and reduce flatulence. Has antibacterial and antifungal qualities.

SWEET BASIL - Steep leaves in water for a few minutes to make a tea to help indigestion. Make a cold-oil infusion to massage sore muscles.

CALENDULA - Flowers make a healing mouthwash for the gums. Mix a cream using calendula petals and plantain leaves for healing of cuts.

CATNIP - Make a tea to to relieve colds and fevers. Also used to treat headaches and upset stomachs. Has mild sedative qualities.

CHAMOMILE - Use in a tea as a mild sleep aid or to aid digestion. Make a cream to treat dry, rough skin.

COMMON YARROW - Infused tea fights colds and fevers. Make a cream with its flower petals to use on cuts and burns.

CORIANDER (cilantro) - Chew leaves or infuse as a tea to relieve upset stomachs. Also used as a mild sedative.

FEVERFEW - Eat three to five leaves daily to reduce migraine headaches. Infuse as a tea to relieve muscle spasms or reduce fever.

HOREHOUND - Make a tonic of chopped horehound leaves and honey to treat sore throats. A cold infusion will help relieve heartburn.

HYSSOP - Make a cream to treat bruises and burns. Infuse as tea to treat colds, flu, bronchitis and sore throats.

PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Echinacea Purpurea) - Drink a hot infusion to stimulate the immune system.

ST JOHN'S WORT - Infuse as tea to treat depression or as a mild sedative. Makes a cream to treat bruises and skin inflammation.

SUMMER SAVORY - Hot infusion is gargled to treat a sore throat. Also drink as a tea to treat diarrhea and indigestion.

THYME - Make a tea sweetened with honey to help relieve sore throats and coughs. Infusion used to relieve hangovers.

VALERIAN - Roots used to relieve nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Roots used in a cream to treat acne or skin rashes.

The information on this page is for reference and education. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advise of a physician. We do not advocate self diagnosis or self medication. Be aware that any plant substance used externally or internally may cause an allergic reaction in some people. We will not be responsible for any problems that arise from using herbs medicinally.