Echinacea, known for its immune system-enhancing capabilities, is especially beneficial during cold and flu season. Echinacea root and flowers are widely available for purchase at health food stores, online at herbalist's and alternative medicine sites and also naturopath practitioners. Growing wild in many locations in the world on roadside verges and fertile wastelands, echinacea stimulates the white blood cells that kill viruses and bacteria, therefore keeping us healthier and free from sickness. Antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial, echinacea is one of the most helpful medicinal herbs to have on hand in your home. Echinacea tincture keeps well in a cool dark place for up to two years.
Instructions
1. Dig echinacea roots up with a garden hand-fork making certain not to break the root. Store-bought Echinacea root can be washed, chopped and sorted until you have measured two cups of echinacea root.
2. Measure two cups of 100 proof (50% by volume) good-quality vodka to the two cups of washed and chopped echinacea root and mix together in a large glass screw-top jar.
3. Place jar in a cool dark place away from sunlight and shake daily for six weeks.
4. Strain the liquid from the roots after six weeks of extraction. Pour through two layers of cheesecloth into a sterilized glass jar. Discard the used roots.
5. Use the pipette to transfer fresh echinacea tincture into individual amber-colored dropper bottles. Cap tightly. Place a shrink band on the neck of each amber bottle and use the hairdryer to seal each one in a couple of seconds. This ensures that over time, the tincture is not tampered with in any way. Store bottled tincture in a cool dark cupboard.
Tags: cool dark, cool dark place, dark place, echinacea root, Echinacea root, washed chopped