Echinacea: Echinacea angustifolia (DC)
Why echinacea? Long known as the “go-to” herb for supporting a healthy immune system, echinacea was listed as one of the top 13 herbal supplements consumed by Americans according to a recent poll by the National Marketing Institute.
Quality Assured: Our certified echinacea root is responsibly sourced from the U.S.A. This herb is Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth and grown without the use of genetic engineering, artificial fertilizers, or pesticides. Our experts here at the Apothecary Shoppe personally evaluate every herb through taste, touch, and smell to assure that you are receiving the best botanicals suitable for use.
This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Benefits: Echinacea is an ideal herb for promoting healthy immunity and supporting the body during winter seasons when the body's defenses need an extra boost.
This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Formula:
ECHINACEA TINCTURE
Echinacea Echinacea angustifolia: 1 ounce
Alcohol such as vodka or even apple cider vinegar: 1 pint
Mix herb with alcohol or cider vinegar in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, such as a canning or preserving jar.
Keep the tincture in a tightly closed jar in a warm spot (but not in the sun), for approximately two weeks.
Shake the tincture two to three times every day.
After two weeks*, strain the tincture through pharmaceutical filter paper, a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or muslin. You may need to strain your tincture two or even three times to remove all of the herb solids. Leaving solids in your tincture may lead to mold and spoilage.
Store your tincture in a dark bottle or cupboard.
Half a pint of tincture should equal the potency of one ounce of the fresh herb, so approximately one teaspoon will equal the strength of one cup of infusion.
The dose is small, approximately 20 to 40 drops three times a day, although this varies with each herb. Dilute in approximately one-quarter cup of water to take.
*Note that the consensus is that the minimum time to extract herbs into a tincture is two weeks, and the maximum time is three months. Extraction time also depends on the plant material and the percentage of alcohol needed. Most above ground plant parts only need about 40% alcohol and will extract very quickly. Tougher roots and rhizomes typically need a higher percentage of alcohol and longer time to extract.
