This Article is taken from The Herbalist, newsletter of the Botanic
Medicine Society. COPYRIGHT Dec 1988.

Membership in the Society is $25.00 Canadian per year. You receive
four copies of the Journal each year and help to promote herbalism and
botanic medicine throughout Canada.

THE SOCIETY HAS NO PAID OFFICIALS and is run entirely by volunteers
from among the membership.

If you would like more info please write:
Botanic Medicine Society.
P.O. Box 82. Stn. A.
Willowdale, Ont. CANADA.
M2N 5S7.

Fluid Extracts

Fluid extracts are used both to concentrate and preserve the active
ingredients of an herb, enabling it to be used whenever necessary,
i.e. when the herb is out of season.

Fluid extracts are considered by many herbalists to be the preferred
way to preserve water soluble active ingredients.  If possible always
use fresh ingredients.

When properly made one fluid ounce of fluid extract equals one ounce
of fresh herb.

Always use accurate measurements to ensure consistency and the effect
of a given dose.

Equipment needed - Large non metal or stainless steel pan with lid,
water - not city water, heat source, measuring jug, vegetable
glycerine.

Directions to produce 4 oz of Dandelion root fluid extract -
   4 oz washed fresh Dandelion roots
   3 quarts water (total amount)
   2 fluid oz vegetable glycerine

Chop Dandelion roots into approx 1\4 inch pieces. Put into pan with 2
quarts water. Bring to a boil and then cover pan and allow to simmer
until water is reduced to one quart. Take off heat and strain through
a cloth squeezing out all excess liquid.

Place remains of herb back into pan and add one quart water. Save
fluid that was strained and put to one side. Reheat pan to boil and
simmer herbs again with the pan covered until liquid is reduced by
half to 1 pint. Strain through a cloth discarding the solid remains.

Now combine the two strained liquids, return to the large pan and
bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer until liquid is reduced to 2
fluid ounces. These will take several hours...

You have now extracted all the water soluble ingredients from 4 oz of
Dandelion roots and concentrated them into 2 oz of fluid.  Remove this
liquid from heat and allow to cool. Add 2 oz of vegetable glycerine
and mix well. Pour into a dark glass bottle, stopper tightly and store
in a cool place. Treated with care this fluid extract will last at
least one year.

N.B. - Glycerine is an essential fatty acid and is generally a by
product of soap manufacturing. It is used as a preservative and
stabilising agent. Never add glycerine to hot liquids as it is
temperature sensitive and will coagulate. Always mix with cold or warm
liquids.

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