Class Notes from Lesson 9-1 Constitutional

 Lesson 9-1: Fluid Extracts

Fluid Extracts are 1:1

The sheet that tells which herbs are appropriate for fluid extract is the download labeled "Supplement Material for lesson 9, part 1", and is a .pdf entitled "Quiz 9 part 1".

Fluid Extract concentrates herbs that are weak, so you can make them a stronger form so taking a lot of regular tincture won't be necessary. Long discussion on why higher proof alcohol is necessary for Percolation and Fluid Extract.

PERCOLATION WORKSHEET - F.E. (Class example)

Botanical Name Arctium

Common Name Burdock

Part Used Date Root

Weight of dried herb ounces [ grams] 8 ounces

Recommended strength 1:1 (weight to volume), therefore: Finished volume is (oz/ml) 8 oz fluid

1. Menstruum #1 proportions: __80__% alcohol, ___20_% water, __0__% glycerin 1a (Generally add 15-20% more alcohol for 1st menstruum than recommended tincture %)

2. Volume taken up by ground, compressed herb is approx.: _18___oz.[ ml ] 2a First percolation should be 75% of finished volume

3. Intended final volume of first percolate is to be: __6____oz. [ ml ]

4. First menstruum needed is calculated by adding #2 _18___oz.[ ml ] AND #3 __6__oz.[ ml ], resulting in __24__oz.[ ml ] This is the total volume of starting menstruum you need to mix together for first percolation.

5. __24__oz (ml) (total menstruum) X _80__% alc. = ___19.2__ oz (ml) alcohol __24__oz (ml) (total menstruum) X __20_% H20 = __4.8___ oz (ml) water __0__oz (ml) (total menstruum) X _0__% glyc.= ___0__ oz (ml) glycerin IT SHOULD ALL TOTAL 100% of NEEDED FIRST MENSTRUUM

••TO MOISTEN HERB, start with 2/3 of #2, or ___12___oz (ml) of menstruum.

••Set aside in closed container for at least twelve hours (24 is better)

••Pack in cone, with filter paper below, filter paper above

••Pour menstruum on packed herb, make sure menstruum descends herb column evenly, drip out the bottom (controlling speed with the screw cap if necessary) at a rate of one or two drips a second. (Two drips a second is “Star’s and Stripes Forever” march tempo)

••Catch first drip in first of two empty measuring beakers. Remove first beaker when #3 volume (6oz) is reached. If the layer of menstruum is in danger of sinking below the top of the herb column, add some water (if the botanical is woody or leafy) or a pint or two of 50% /water if the botanical is a dense, starchy root or high in resins)

••Catch the rest of the second percolation in the second beaker, setting the first drip aside and covered

••If you didn’t add additional menstruum, do so now. Menstruum #2 is variable, both in volume AND alcohol percentage. Generally, add at least as much second menstruum as 3X the finished volume. For MOST herbs, 33% alcohol is enough. For simple woody bitters, such as Mahonia, water alone is enough; for starchy roots or resinous botanicals you may need 50% alcohol.

••Finish dripping second percolate (pressing the marc is fine).

••Evaporate 2nd Percolation in a double boiler until 25% of finished volume, or oz/ml

••Add the 1st percolate (75% of final volume) to 2nd percolate (25% of final volume).

••Final volume is a 1:1 fluidextract.

Here is the link to the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine Course

https://www.swsbm.com/school/