Hi Sue!
I think this the correct thread for this question, so here I go!
A few weeks ago, I helped an elderly couple setup a tent grow in their home. They couldn't afford to keep buying Blue Dream Tincture from the dispensary, so I got them setup and they are now flowering 3 Blue Dream plants in 5 gallon Hempys under a Growant panel. So easy for Carol to maintain, just water and feed really, very easy for her. Her husband Bill is afflicted with Alzheimers.
Have you any knowledge or experience making tinctures with alcohol? I have done it a few times, and have had good results with the Magical Butter machine and Everclear, but wondered if you might be able inform, if you have any tincture specific knowledge that you'd be so kind to share?
Thanks
Peace
Keith
I make tinctures the Old Way.
1) Put fresh or dried leaves, trims and/or mini-buds in a mason jar. Give it some headroom so you can shake it a few times the first week.
2) Pour 80- proof vodka or Bicardi 141 over the cannabis (Use the highest proof you can find), until it just covers the material. I use a chopstick to push any floaters down into the solvent.
3) Close tightly and shake vigorously for about a minute. You can shake it once a day for about a week. If you forget, no biggie.
4) Put in a cool dark place, like a base cabinet for at least 1 month
5) After it has brewed, strain it through cheesecloth, squeezing out all the liquid you can.
The mash can be dried and ground into cooking herbs. Just add a few pinches or more to anything you cook. No decarb necessary, as the mixture cures naturally. I found out that 1/4 cup of ground herb per pound of ground meat (for chili or sloppy Joes) WILL produce an effect. Lesser doses reduce joint pain enough that your OTC pain relievers will knock the pain down enough for you to function.
I also dry and grind small fan leaves, trim and larfy buds directly into herb. These are quite potent. Don't underestimate the material, just because it isn't Good Housekeeping beautiful.
Tincture may be mixed into any alcoholic, fruity, or V8 drink. You can also evaporate off the alcohol for other extractions.
If you want to use the cycles of the Moon to enhance extraction, start your brew at the dark moon. As the moon waxes, it pulls more cannabinoids from the plant material.
Every brew is different, so you need to experiment with how much to use for the effects you are looking for.