So, I added pics of making tincture with Dandelion leaves in May.
The first photo is of the freshly picked cleavers twisted round in a bowl. Cleavers are long and sticky, and it’s sometimes hard to just break off the top half of the shoots and leave the yellow bottom leaves and roots in the ground. I usually take a pair of heavy-duty kitchen scissors with me and just cut off at a certain place down the stem.
You don’t try and remove the twirls of leaves, you chop it all up stems and all.
After you have chopped it up roughly then you need to blend it so it cuts down
finer, or you will not be able to get enough menstruum around it.
The herb doesn’t need to go too long in the blender, and don’t put in too much at once.
When you have comminuted the herb then press into jar and fill with vodka. Though I use a 96% ethanol mixed with water to make a 25-30% strength menstruum.
Always label the jar with the herb type, date and strength of alcohol, together with ratio of herb to menstruum and ideally place gathered and state [fresh or dried].
