69 lines
2.7 KiB
Plaintext
69 lines
2.7 KiB
Plaintext
This Article is taken from The Herbalist, newsletter of the
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Botanic Medicine Society. COPYRIGHT Dec 1988.
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Membership in the Society is $25.00 Canadian per year. You
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receive four copies of the Journal each year and help to promote
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herbalism and botanic medicine throughout Canada.
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THE SOCIETY HAS NO PAID OFFICIALS and is run entirely by
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volunteers from among the membership.
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If you would like more info please write:
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Botanic Medicine Society.
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P.O. Box 82. Stn. A.
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Willowdale, Ont. CANADA.
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M2N 5S7.
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Fluid Extracts
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Fluid extracts are used both to concentrate and preserve the
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active ingredients of an herb, enabling it to be used whenever
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necessary, i.e. when the herb is out of season.
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Fluid extracts are considered by many herbalists to be the
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preferred way to preserve water soluble active ingredients.
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If possible always use fresh ingredients.
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When properly made one fluid ounce of fluid extract equals one
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ounce of fresh herb.
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Always use accurate measurements to ensure consistency and the
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effect of a given dose.
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Equipment needed - Large non metal or stainless steel pan with
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lid, water - not city water, heat source, measuring jug,
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vegetable glycerine.
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Directions to produce 4 oz of Dandelion root fluid extract -
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4 oz washed fresh Dandelion roots
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3 quarts water (total amount)
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2 fluid oz vegetable glycerine
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Chop Dandelion roots into approx 1\4 inch pieces. Put into pan
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with 2 quarts water. Bring to a boil and then cover pan and allow
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to simmer until water is reduced to one quart. Take off heat and
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strain through a cloth squeezing out all excess liquid.
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Place remains of herb back into pan and add one quart water. Save
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fluid that was strained and put to one side. Reheat pan to boil
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and simmer herbs again with the pan covered until liquid is
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reduced by half to 1 pint. Strain through a cloth discarding the
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solid remains.
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Now combine the two strained liquids, return to the large pan and
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bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer until liquid is reduced
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to 2 fluid ounces. These will take several hours...
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You have now extracted all the water soluble ingredients from 4
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oz of Dandelion roots and concentrated them into 2 oz of fluid.
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Remove this liquid from heat and allow to cool. Add 2 oz of
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vegetable glycerine and mix well. Pour into a dark glass bottle,
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stopper tightly and store in a cool place. Treated with care this
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fluid extract will last at least one year.
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N.B. - Glycerine is an essential fatty acid and is generally a by
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product of soap manufacturing. It is used as a preservative and
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stabilising agent. Never add glycerine to hot liquids as it is
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temperature sensitive and will coagulate. Always mix with cold or
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warm liquids.
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