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Date Posted: 19:22:41 01/25/02 Fri
Author: Monika
Author Host/IP: 12.83.22.147
Subject: Solvents or: Alcohol vs. Vinegar ;-)
In reply to: Diane 's message, "Couple of things......" on 16:17:05 01/25/02 Fri

I use both…it just really depends on what I’m making. Each one has a plus side as well as a down side. So here’s my take on the differences:

Alcohol extracts the herbs oils, resins, fats and most alkaloids; it’s also a very good preservative maintaining the herbs integrity for years. The body absorbs it quickly. Vinegar isn’t as potent, doesn’t break down the plants components as effectively but does help regulate the acid / alkaline balance in your body and it’s great for the digestive tract. I use it mostly for tonics, things that I’m going to be taking on a daily bases. Again vinegar tinctures are not as concentrated as alcohol tinctures. It also is acidic so it’s not an effective solvent for extracting plant acids. Then there’s the shelve life of what your making…tinctures made using alcohol will last for years while vinegar based ones will last about 8 months or so before they start to deteriorate. You also need to be careful that the herbs you use are not too wet, (in other words, fresh herbs) too moist and your tincture will start to ferment. As far as heating the vinegar, I do that in order to "help" the vinegar release the herbs componenents.

I know many muscle ache salves have cayenne as an ingredient, this liniment is primarily used on open wounds to clean them not as a soothing ointment. Just my own preference really. That's the nice thing about working with herbs, there are so many different ways to get the same result. ;-)

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