Glycerites

Excerpt from The ABC Herbal

A basic glycerite is made like a decoction, only extraction times are longer. To make a basic glycerite, simmer the herb for two to three hours at a very low temperature. Strain and add an equal amount of glycerine.

This glycerite should keep for several months to several years if you keep it in a sealed container in a cool dark place. The only problem we’ve ever observed is that it grown mold if you don’t get enough glycerine in it for proper preservation.

Another way of making a glycerite is to combine equal parts of glycerine and water and then extract the herb in this mixture as described above. Strain and store as before. Since glycerine helps to extract the herbal constituents, this makes a much stronger (and stronger tasting) herbal preparation.

Sealed Simmer Glycerites

Here’s how you can make a “sealed simmer” glycerite. You will need to collect the following materials:

1. Canning jars (1/2 pint, pint or quart, depending on how much you want to make) with rings and lids.
2. A pot or pan big enough to hold the jars.
3. Purified water (distilled or run through a reverse osmosis water treatment appliance).
4. Glycerine.
5. The herbs you wish to extract. These may be fresh or dried.

Then, you will need to complete the following steps.

1. Wash the jars, rings and lids thoroughly in hot, soapy water and rise n hot water so they are clean and sterile, just as you would o if you were going to do canning.
2. Place the herbs in the jars. For fresh herbs, you pack the jar full of the herb. With dried herbs, you use about one ounce per pint.
3. Fill the jar leaving about 1/2 inch of headroom with a mixture of 60% glycerine and 40% water.
4. Place the jar into the pan and fill the pan about 1/2 up the sides of the jars with water. You can process as many jars as your pan will hold.
5. Simmer the jars in the water for two to three hours. Or, if you are in a hurry, bring the water to boiling and boil the jars for 20-40 minutes. Barks and roots require most processing time than leaves, flowers, and fruits.
6. Strain the herbs out of the solution using a clean, fine cotton cloth. The resulting liquid should be put into a bottle with a tight fitting lid and stored in a cool, dark place. It should remain good for about two to three years.

How-To Directions

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I was just thinking about sending a note to you this morning as I was filling a pitcher with some Berkey water. It arrived in good condition and we got it assembled and primed last week. We are enjoying the water from it.
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