Susun Weeds Wise Woman Forum

About a month ago I posted a question in regards to the correct ratio for a fresh Andrographis tincture( see question below). Does anyone know what the ratio might be and if not do you know a forum/website that would be a good place to ask?


Question:
Hi everyone,
I'm trying to make a tincture with fresh Andrographis and organic grape alcohol. Does anyone have suggestions for the plant/menstrum ratio? Also what percentage of alcohol should I use? I can't find anything online for fresh Andrographis. I checked Michael Moore's materica medica and I didn't see Andrographis.

I have no experience with that particular herb, but for me, I tend to use a fairly "generic Tincture" recipe.
- Get bottle of 100-proof vodka. (or other alcohol).
Note that most alkaloids are soluble in alcohol and some things are more water soluble. I use 50% to extract both types of 'stuff'. I do know stronger alcohol will more readily extract some alkaloids easier. I compromise with this strength for "general use" for cost and convenience of getting the materials.
- Get quart (or pint) mason jar, depending on how much herb I have or how much tincture I want to make
- Fill jar with herb as much as I can, packing loosely.
- Pour in Vodka to the brim, & loosely put lid on.
- Wait a week, refill vodka if it is being soaked up by plant material (or the fae sip some overnight!)
- Wait another month.
- Strain, and use.

For different strength tinctures, I modify the dosage based on what it is I'm taking. Something like elderberry, I can just drink a shot-glass of it if I want for colds. soemthing like Poke-weed, I would only ever use a drop or so. Same "recipe" different tincture dosage. Experience is part of my "guide" as well on my home-made tinctures. I'll start with a small "dose" based on what my research indicates for "correct" and if it doesnt' seem to help, I'll add a few more drops until it seems effective. Of course this method isn't the best for telling others "Here's teh exact details of XYZ usage" since sometimes a batch of tincture is weak/stronger than average. Each year the plants can be a bit different. Your milage, will vary. Nature doesnt' always grow inside the box.

Ca you please tell me which herbs to take for an overactive immune system ?