I generally find the amount of alchohol in an herbal tincture not something I worry about, even when administering to the dogs for a short-term, first-aid use.
But in some cases choosing alcohol free isn’t always an option when are looking for quality product and for long-term use.
Here’s a short overview of how to remove (or flash off) alcohol from herbal tinctures
Flashing off alcohol from herbal tinctures involves gently heating the tincture to evaporate the alcohol while preserving the herbal properties. Here’s how to do it:
Materials Needed:
- A small pot or saucepan
- Your herbal tincture
- A heat-safe container
- A stove or hot plate
Steps:
- Prepare the Setup:
- Pour the tincture into the small pot. Choose a size that minimizes surface area to avoid unnecessary exposure of the tincture to air.
- Apply Gentle Heat:
- Place the pot on the stove over low heat. Do not let the tincture boil, as high heat can destroy the herbal properties.
- Stir gently to ensure even heating.
- Monitor the Alcohol Evaporation:
- Alcohol evaporates at around 173°F (78°C), so keep the temperature below 200°F (93°C).
- Allow the tincture to heat for a few minutes until you no longer smell alcohol vapors.
- Cool and Store:
- Once the alcohol has been flashed off, remove the pot from heat.
- Let the tincture cool to room temperature.
- Transfer it back into a sterilized, dark glass bottle for storage.
Notes:
- For sensitive herbs: Use a double boiler to reduce the risk of overheating.
- Alternative Method: If you don’t want to use direct heat, leave the tincture in a shallow dish in a warm, well-ventilated area for a few days. Cover it with cheesecloth to protect it from dust.
This process retains most of the tincture’s potency while removing alcohol for individuals or pets sensitive to it.
Did you catch the part about keeping the surface area small? This can be hard with small quantities of tincture even in the smallest sauce pan.
Here are a few more options:
For small quantities of herbal tinctures, keeping surface area minimal while effectively flashing off alcohol can be challenging, but there are creative and practical ways to achieve this safely. Here are some options:
1. Use a Grill Lighting Torch and a Small Metal Cup
- What You Need:
- A small metal measuring cup (stainless steel works best)
- A grill lighting torch (or culinary torch)
- How to Do It:
- Place the tincture in the small metal measuring cup.
- Hold the torch about 4-6 inches away from the liquid and gently heat it. Move the flame in a circular motion to evenly distribute heat.
- Watch carefully to avoid overheating. Stop as soon as the alcohol smell dissipates.
- Pros: Precise, fast, and works well for small amounts.
- Cons: Requires careful handling to avoid overburning.
2. Use a Water Bath with a Small Container
- What You Need:
- A small metal or heat-resistant glass container (e.g., shot glass or ramekin)
- A small saucepan or double boiler
- Water
- How to Do It:
- Fill the saucepan with about an inch of water and heat it to a simmer.
- Place the tincture in the small container and set it in the water bath.
- Gently stir or swirl the tincture as it heats. The indirect heat will evaporate the alcohol without overheating.
- Pros: Gentle, low risk of damaging herbal properties.
- Cons: Takes slightly longer than direct heat.
3. Small Crock or Electric Candle Warmer
- What You Need:
- A mini slow cooker or an electric candle warmer
- A small heat-safe container
- How to Do It:
- Place the tincture in the small container and set it on the warmer.
- Let it sit, stirring occasionally, until the alcohol has evaporated.
- Pros: Hands-off and safe for delicate herbs.
- Cons: Slower than other methods.
4. Warm Oven Method
- What You Need:
- A small oven-safe dish or ramekin
- An oven
- How to Do It:
- Preheat the oven to its lowest setting (around 175°F or “warm”).
- Place the tincture in the small dish and set it in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Check frequently to ensure the tincture does not overheat.
- Pros: Low and even heat.
- Cons: Can be harder to monitor closely.
Safety Tips:
- Always work in a well-ventilated area to avoid buildup of alcohol vapors.
- Avoid open flames near large quantities of alcohol.
- Use small batches to maintain control and prevent waste.
- Monitor temperature closely to avoid overheating delicate herbal compounds.
For very small amounts, the torch method or water bath method is often the most practical!