[TCM] herbal tinctures

[ZSandell]

thanks- i'll check out those books
i've always used vodka too (for making tinctures with western herbs)- i will
try the 'simplers method' for making them with chinese herbs and see how
they turn out
- i guess there is no standard for chinese herbs like the british
pharmacopia
Zoe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Stone" <alstone at beyondwellbeing.com>
To: <tcm-students at gancao.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 26, 2004 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: [TCM] herbal tinctures



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