top of page

Making Fresh Passionflower Tincture

  • Writer: Jillian Bar-av
    Jillian Bar-av
  • Sep 5, 2021
  • 3 min read

Updated: Oct 24, 2021

I had been waiting for my passionflower plants to get big enough this summer so that I could make a new batch of tincture. After returning from an end of summer vacation, I saw that it was time, and that I should not wait any longer to get it done.


It is best to harvest the plant when it is just starting to flower. I had plants in various stages, some very young and bright green with flower buds, some in full flower, and as I was harvesting, I even found a couple of passion fruits!


I harvested the younger leaves, vines, tendrils, and buds. Before getting started I took a moment to let the plant know my intentions in harvesting it - to make a tincture for myself and my family to help quiet our minds for restful sleep.


Before long, I had what felt like the right amount. I took the harvested plant inside, shook off any hiding bugs, and began cutting it up to weigh it. I started with a knife and cutting board, but switched to a pair of kitchen scissors which I found did the job much better.




When it was all chopped up, I weighed it and it came out to exactly 500 grams. What a nice even number. Since I wanted to make a 1:2 extract, I could use 1000 mls as the total amount of menstruum. Menstruum is the term used for the liquid that is used to make a plant extract. In this case, I wanted my menstruum to be 75% alcohol and 25% water. Since I had grain alcohol, which is 95% alcohol, that meant if I used 800 mls of it and 200mls of water, I would end up with a 76% alcohol menstruum. Not to get overly technical, but if I had used 75% of the grain alcohol, it would actually have turned out to be closer to 72% actual alcohol content due to the fact that the grain alcohol actually contains 5% water.


After getting the alcohol and water measured, I began the blending process in my Vitamix. If using this method of blending fresh plant product into twice as much liquid, I think the Vitamix is essential. When I was only half way through adding the passionflower to the alcohol/water solution, I felt sure it wasn't all going to blend in. If I had been using a typical kitchen blender or any kind, I am sure it would not have worked. But the Vitamix is quite extraordinary at blending when the task seems darn near impossible.

It took awhile, but I finally got it all blended up.

I transferred the tincture to 2 glass quart jars, labeled them, and put them in a closed cabinet. It is best to keep tinctures in a cool, dark place. I've been agitating (shaking) the jars daily to maximize the extraction, and am looking forward to trying it out soon!


About me:

My name is Jillian Bar-av and I am a registered herbalist and licensed nutritionist who works with busy women to help them have the energy to do what they love. I specialize in conditions that affect the reproductive system and urinary tract, such as PCOS and Interstitial Cystitis. I believe that it takes healthy people to create a healthy planet, and I want to make a difference for both.


For more information, to sign up for my newsletter, or to book an appointment, contact: www.greenspringherbs.com

 
 
 

1 則留言


Natalie Dixon
Natalie Dixon
6月04日

Hi. How long do you let the blended jars sit? And then do you extract or strain the mixture?

按讚
Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
bottom of page