Hi,


i have both a macerated oil of calendula officinalis and spearmint tincture that I made in a course some months ago.

I waited, as I was told, for 8 weeks. I left the oil in direct sunlight and saked it once a day.The tincture was stored in a dark place.

I cant wait to start preparing something with them!!!!!

ANY TIPS?????

love

silvia

Hi Silvia

You don't need to leave a tincture for any more than three weeks in a dark cool place before you strain and use it. I've never made a spearmint tincture, to me the mints are tea herbs. Spearmint can be used to make a really nice soothing tea with lavender and either chamomile or lime flower. If dried and stored in an airtight container, this combination still tastes good several years after drying. (I wouldn't guarentee it had any medicinal value after 12 months maximum, but I used it for about 3 years to introduce audiences to herbal teas).

Spearmint has a digestive property so can be used after heavy, fatty meals. You could use the tincture as a mixer with a soft drink either as an aperitif or after a meal. You could also add sugar, leave it for a year and make a liquer. Christina Stapely has a nice recipe for a mint liqueur in her "Herbcraft Naturally".

Calendula is a wonderful herb - anti-viral, fantastic for skin conditions. I'm presuming you live in a hot climate if you've used the sun method to infuse it. Did you infuse dried or fresh calendula heads? If you have infused fresh flowerheads, you need to ensure that when you strain the oil, you don't have any water contaminating it or it will go off quite quickly. I would add some beeswax to some of your oil and make a salve. Don't use the salve as a lip balm if you've made it with fresh plants as the possible water content might contain botulism toxins. If you used dried calendula this will not be a problem.

Have fun!

Sarah

Hi Sarah, thank u so much for the information, Ill be busy this nice long weekend!!!

Im spanish but I live in London in cozy flat with plenty of light and ventilation. People who come love the place and somehow the plants feel the good energy, my basil and some others plants are growing so fast!!!!

I´d like to try the tea mixture you mention,somehow mint doesnt agree much with me and maybe mixing it with others make it easier to take. I´ve been suffering from migraines for years and that upset my stomach so much sometimes.

Can I plant camomile and lime flower indoors?? unfortunately i dont have a garden here although I may try putting some kind of device close to the window. ( ???)

I left the calendula close to the window in the kitchen,I was lucky because of the amazing weather we had in march!!!i used dry organic marygold petals( calendula officinales) that the tutor at the course gave us.

What proportion of beewax/ oil would you use to prepare the salve??

What is the procedure to make a lip balm?? any good and easy reference book??

I hope im not bothering you with all this questions, some might be a trivial, but im still a beginneer!!!!!
thanks again,
best wishes
sil