Tinctures made with 80 proof vodka don't need any preservative. I'm not sure about vinegar, but it doesn't seem to need any preservative by itself so I don't think that it should need any for the tincture, especially if there is alcohol in it as well. The point is to make the tincture very strong (with much more herb than most herbalists generally use) so that you don't have to take so much of the carrier (ie alcohol or vinegar) in order to get a good dose of the herb. I don't think you need to add CS. Dan ________________________________
From: Ed Kasper [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Fri 9/1/2006 9:50 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: CS>Travel Kit Emergency When doing these home tinctures, alcohol most of the times refer to vodka. Most alcohol content is listed in "proof" as in 80 proof. which means that 80 proof equals 40% alcohol by volume. 40 proof is 20% alcohol. Proof equals 1/2 alcohol . As a preservative different herbs may call for different percentages alcohol. I am not sure what percentage cayenne calls for, but I'm pretty sure only needs 10-20% by volume alcohol. Also as Tabasco and others only use vinegar (acetic acid) is more economical but not as "hot" as alcohol. By question is what would the combination of Colloidal Silver and vinegar or alcohol be? Maybe CS as a preservative would not need anything else (but it does not seem to work that particular way. Ed Kasper LAc. Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist Santa Cruz, CA.
<<winmail.dat>>
