Make Your Own Liquid Herbal Extract While paying for the convenience of a manufactured herbal  extract can be nice, we have found that the best medicines  are those we make ourselves. Not only that, but for those of  us that incorporate extracts into our daily diet the costs  really begins to add up. Making your own extracts will  save you hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars. This recipe is the simplest way to make your own liquid  herbal extracts in your own home. Start with a clean  jar that has a tight fitting lid and the herbs of  your choice. If you can use fresh herbs, then fabulous!  Fresh material is always preferred but availability is  determined by your local bio-region, climate, etc and  many quality herbs may not be available. If you  cannot locate fresh materials, be sure to get good  quality, organic herbs from a reputable supplier.  Note: Try not to use powdered herbs; they will be  difficult to filter out in the end and the debris will  settle in your final product. If using fresh material, chop the herbs finely. Then  put in the glass jar. Next, pour a good, strong grain  alcohol or Vodka over the herbs, completely  covering the herbal material. If you are using dried  herbs you will need to add more alcohol over the  next day or two as the dried herbs absorb and expand.  A good ratio for dried material is about 1 part herb to  5 parts alcohol and with fresh material 1 part  herb to 3 parts alcohol. After you have done this, cover with tight fitting lid  and be sure to place a plastic bag sandwiched  between the lid and the jar. This will prevent rust  contamination from spoiling your extract. Shake well and place the jar in a dark place &  allow the herbs to soak or macerate for 4 to 6 weeks.  Shake every few days. The alcohol will siphon and  extract the active constituents from the herbs.  After 4 to 6 weeks strain the herbs. Use a large  sieve, strainer, press or potato ricer lined with  fine mesh cloth or cheesecloth. Then pour  into another large bowl or container. After you  have done this grab the soggy herbal material  and place in muslin, cheese or another fine  cloth and tightly squeeze the material to extract  every last drop from the cloth. The herbal material left  over that is saturated, is the strongest in terms of active  medicinal constituents. Now funnel  the material from your larger container into smaller  bottles, preferably amber bottles and store your  tinctures in a cool dark place. Voila! You have now  made your own remarkable medicinal herbal extract  for a fraction of the price you would have paid at the  store. By now you have probably noticed that your pantry  is stored with some 16-20 ounces of liquid herbal extract… …this will last you for some time. (It will keep for 3-5 years)  Enjoy!