Brief description

The fundamental techniques for processing medicinal plants into stable, usable forms. Raw plants often rot or are difficult to dose; processing them into extracts, tinctures, and ointments concentrates their properties and preserves them for long-term use.

Use / Function

• Preservation: Keeping medicinal properties active for months or years.
• Concentration: Increasing the potency of the medicine.
• Application: Making it easier to apply to skin (ointments) or ingest (tinctures).
• Scale: Domestic to Village Apothecary.

Operating principle

• Extraction: Using a solvent (water, alcohol, oil, fat) to pull the active chemical compounds out of the plant fiber.
• Stabilization: The solvent usually acts as a preservative (alcohol inhibits bacteria, fat protects from air).

How to create it

1. Water Infusion (Tea)

The simplest form. Steeping fresh or dried herbs in hot water.

• Pros: Fast, easy.
• Cons: Spoils within 24 hours.

2. Tincture (Alcohol Extract)

Soaking dried plant material in strong alcohol (40%+) for 2-6 weeks, then straining.

• Process:
  1. Fill a jar 1/2 full with dried herbs.
  2. Cover completely with Alcohol (vodka or moonshine).
  3. Seal and shake daily for a month.
  4. Strain through cloth.
• Shelf life: Years.

3. Oil Infusion

Heating herbs in vegetable oil to extract fat-soluble compounds.

• Process:
  1. Mix dried herbs with Vegetable Oil.
  2. Heat gently (do not fry!) for several hours.
  3. Strain.
• Shelf life: 6-12 months (until oil goes rancid).

4. Ointment / Salve

Solidifying an oil infusion with wax or fat for topical application.

• Process:
  1. Take warm Oil Infusion.
  2. Melt in Beeswax (approx. 1 part wax to 4 parts oil).
  3. Pour into small containers to harden.

Materials needed

• Essential: Medicinal Plants.
• Solvents: Water, Alcohol, Vegetable Oil, or Animal Fat.
• Thickener: Beeswax (for salves).
• Tools: Mortar, Containers, cloth for filtering.

Variants and improvements

• Poultice: Mashed fresh herbs applied directly to skin (immediate use).
• Syrup: Tincture or strong tea mixed with sugar/honey (good for coughs).
• Essential Oils: Steam distillation (requires Alembic) to get highly concentrated volatile oils.

Limits and risks

• Dosage: Homemade medicines have variable strength. Start with small doses.
• Identification: Using the wrong plant can be fatal.
• Solvent Safety: Do not use denatured (poisonous) alcohol for internal medicines. Use only food-grade ethanol.