[TCM] herbal tinctures

[Al Stone]

On Oct 24, 2004, at 5:50 PM, ZSandell wrote:

> hello,
>  
> i am wondering if any one knows where to find herb to alcohol ratios 
> for making chinese herbs into tinctures.
>  
> thanks,
> zoe sandell

Hi Zoe,

I have two books on the subject, and they don't really give any 
constant quantities.  In general, I've always made large jars of 
tincture and tend to have about one third of it full of herbs, while 
the rest is alcohol.

The most common alcohol used in China for tinctures is "Bai Jiu" which 
translates to "white wine" but it isn't really a white line like what 
we'll find coming out of California or France, but a much stronger 
drink.

I use vodka myself, for my tinctures.

Here are a couple of books that I've found on the subject:

1) Chinese Medicine Wines & Elixirs
Bob Flaws - Blue Poppy Press
ISBN: 0-936185-58-9

2) Preparations and uses of Chinese Medicated Spirits and Wine
Written by Lu Lei, Yu Yangbo, Lu Shunyun, and Liu Hongjin - Shandong 
Friendship Publishing House
ISBN: 7-80551-835-1

Hope this helps.

-al.

--
Al Stone, L.Ac.
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
-Adlai Stevenson