What is herb glycerite?
At a glance, people might confuse between glycerite and glycerin. Glycerite is made of glycerin. The glycerin used to be made from animals and fossils, but now it mostly comes from vegetable oils.
Then, glycerite is a fluid extracted from glycerin combined with medicinal and herbal substances.
On the other hand, a similar fluid to glycerite is tincture. However, tincture uses alcohol to be extracted, but glycerite uses glycerin.
The simplest method to make herb glycerite is the sealed simmer method. It is so easy to be made at home and requires few tools. Further details are presented below.
Tools and ingredients in how to make herb glycerite
Tools:
- Canning jars
- A big pan or pot
- Scale
- Clean cloth
- A press or strainer
- Bottles and labels
Ingredients:
- Water
- Glycerin
- Herbs
The herbs could be dried or fresh. There will be a different glycerin ratio regarding the herbs used (fresh or dried).
Herbs that are commonly used are fennel, chamomile, thyme, peppermint, spearmint, anise, turmeric, ginger, oat seed, burdock, bee balm, lemon balm, eucalyptus, cleavers, Echinacea, hawthorn, elecampane, juniper, mugwort, licorice, OSHA, Plantago major, valerian, mullein, uva ursi, yarrow, rose, lavender, violet, dandelion, skullcap, catnip, pine, and more.
Those ingredients can be extracted individually or combined. Each herb and even its combination bring certain health benefits.
Herb glycerite benefits
People make glycerite because of its numerous health benefits, as it has more potency to bring direct pharmacological effects.
Moreover, as it is an alcohol-free liquid, it is applicable for those who are allergic to alcohol and tinctures or just avoid alcohol.
In addition, this liquid has fewer side effects and a lower risk of liver function. Knowing the proper ways to make herb glycerite could produce a useful and sweet-tasting liquid. Generally, these are the benefits of herb glycerite:
- Relieving cough
- Soothing effects and preventing insomnia
- Lightening the skin
- Reducing nausea or bloating
- Curing motion sickness
- Reducing inflammation and healing wounds
Formulas in making herb glycerite
Combinations with a certain ratio bring some health benefits. Some proven formulas to cure symptoms are:
- Related to respiratory problems (cough, wheezing, and more):
One part eucalyptus leaf, one part licorice root, one part elecampane root, two parts mullein leaf, and two parts violet flower.
- Related to sleep and soothing effect:
One part lavender flower, one part lemon balm, two parts chamomile, two parts skullcap for a more hypnotic effect, two parts valerian
- Related to stomach problems (nausea, bloating, pain, and more):
One part ginger root, one part fennel seed, one part spearmint leaf, two parts chamomile flowers, and two parts catnip leaf.
- Related to flu and cold:
One part rose, one part thyme leaf, one part elderflower, two parts elderberry, and two parts Echinacea root.
The dosages for the formulas above are the same.
2-5 years old: 15 drops.
6-10 years old: 30 drops
11-16 years old: 60 drops
Adults: 90 drops
Steps of how to make herb glycerite
- Sterilize the jar, lid, ring, and other equipment.
- Prepare the herbs. Cut the fresh herbs into smaller pieces and grind them a bit.
- Measure them using a scale. For the fresh herb, the ratio is one herb:2 menstruum.
- Place the measured herb into the jar and leave one inch at the top for fresh herbs and 1/2 inch for dried herbs.
- Fill the jar with the mixture. The mixture ratio is 70% glycerin and 30% water. The mixture is 60% glycerin and 40% water for dried herbs.
- Put them in a pot. Fill the pot with water until it reaches half of the jar, or put canning rings under it.
- Bring to boil and simmer for 20-40 minutes.
- Remove the jar and let it cool. Strain the herb using a herb press or cloth and a filter.
How to use herb glycerite
After knowing how to make herb glycerite, knowing how to store and use it is essential; since tincture is safe for more than two years, glycerite mostly lasts 12-24 months.
During this time, glycerite could be applied in many ways, including orally or topically. For oral, people could take several drops following the suggested dosage straight into the mouth or add it to teas, cocktails, fruit sauces, yogurt, and other desserts.
For topical use, the liquid is great to be used in body lotions, creams, skin exfoliants, toners, and cleansers. The recommended amount for skin care is 5%-10% of the formula.
For direct topical use, just rub the liquid on the skin where the pain or other symptoms appear. Skin problems like irritation, psoriasis, and bug bites could be relieved using glycerite.
People could get a warm effect from the glycerite with ginger or other herbs during the cold season.