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Re: Lilac Tincture

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> Subject: Lilac tincture?

>

> The lilacs in my back yard are just about to bloom,

> and I was

> wondering, would they tincture well? If so, I'm

> wondering if I can

> freeze some of the blossoms in case I need them in a

> couple of weeks

> to strengthen the tincture...

I believe ZZ is also into

> the tincturing mode

> right now, perhaps she can add to the discussion.

>

>

>For the lilac tincture, I have two half gallon jars

processing right now. To tincture the lilac fill your

jar with the flowers only, do not put any of the green

stems in the jar. Cover the flowers with alcohol. High

proof grain or perfumers alcohol can be used. Place

your jar in a dark cool place.

I have several mature lilacs of different variety. For

the first part of this season I was changing the

flowers every four or five days.

Now I have strained the alcohol into a large jar, and

will add more flowers when my last large bush (a

different variety) blooms in a couple of weeks.

I will probably have to store the alcohol from this

year in the fridge , or my cold cellar, and add to it

again next season. Because I need a very strong

tincture.

>

I will be doing the same thing with my Rugosa Roses. I

have rose alcohol from last year ready to go.

I will be using these in Limited edition perfumes, so

I need a certain quality to start with.

If you are just looking for a nice Lilac essence, one

season will probably do fine.

Just don't leave the flowers in the mix too long, or

squeeze the flowers to get the extra alcohol from

them. You do not want to squeeze the actual flower

liquid into your alcohol. It will dilute the alcohol

and give it an off odor.

Because they are delicate to start with. Frozen Lilac

blossoms will probably be too liquidy and decomposed

to use in a tincture.. But you can try it. If they

are watery don't use them..

The main drawback to making perfumery tinctures using

fresh herbs and flowers is the water content of the

plant material. If too much of it leaches into your

alcohol, it will weaken your alcohol and you will

have to add more alcohol to get a perfumery grade

carrier.That's

ok if you are working with strongly scented plants,

but with the delicate scent of many flowers, you

either have to make a very strong tincture to start

with or be prepared to embellish the alcohol with

other oils to punch up the essence.

Peace, Zz............

>

__________________________________________________

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The main drawback to making perfumery tinctures using

fresh herbs and flowers is the water content of the

plant material. If too much of it leaches into your

alcohol, it will weaken your alcohol and you will

have to add more alcohol to get a perfumery grade

carrier.

That is why I stopped using *completely fresh* plant materials several years

ago - too much risk of watering it down and spoiling. I pick in the

morning, before the sun gets too intense but after *all* dew has dried off

completely. Then I spread out on paper in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.

The leaves or flowers will wilt and lost a lot of water, but still be quite

fragrant. That's when I start tincturing or infusing. I've been doing wild

dog roses this way since 1998, and I haven't had any more spoiled batches

since then, thank goodness. So heartbreaking when that happens!

--

Regards,

Teegarden, Owner

Althaea Soaps and Herbals

504 W. Oakland Avenue

City, TN

http://www.althaea.biz

423.943.6974

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>

> > Subject: Lilac tincture?

> >

> >For the lilac tincture, I have two half gallon jars

> processing right now. To tincture the lilac fill your

> jar with the flowers only, do not put any of the green

> stems in the jar. Cover the flowers with alcohol. High

> proof grain or perfumers alcohol can be used. Place

> your jar in a dark cool place.

Okay, I'm back online after finally upgrading my old beast of a

computer to something that'll handle everything I throw at it :)

I'm probably jumping the gun here a little but... I did a small jar of

lilacs this morning. I had used another forum member's suggestion of

leaving the blossoms to wilt for 24 hours, then put them into the jar,

covered with Everclear, then shook the jar up. Within an hour or so

the blossoms had turned brown and didn't smell anything like lilacs

anymore...

> >

> Because they are delicate to start with. Frozen Lilac

> blossoms will probably be too liquidy and decomposed

> to use in a tincture.. But you can try it. If they

> are watery don't use them..

I put a small baggie-ful into the deep freezer, and within a short

period of time had perfect looking frozen lilacs. I could do the same

thing and leave them to dry out for 24 hours after I thaw them.

>

Thanks for your help with this!

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On May 13, 2007, at 7:29 AM, Anya wrote:

> At 11:06 PM 5/12/2007, you wrote:

>

> >Did any one elses lilac tincture turn dark brown? This is the first

> >time I have done this so

> >don't really know what to expect. i am still in the middle of the

> >season, and plan to finish it

> >out, just wondering if I am on the right path. This happened almost

> >immediately, and

> >continues to get darker, so I don't think it is a question of

> >rancidity. I am using the perfumers

> >alcohol from snowdrift farms......

> >kindly,

> >MJ

>

> MJ, it sounds like maybe your lilacs were past their prime and

> turning indolic. When I harvest my jasmines, I make sure they are

> taken shortly after blooming to avoid this. It's not rancidity, it's

> indoles, IMO. Don't know anything about the perfumers alcohol from

> there, but I would only use undenatured alcohol. There may be

> something in the perfumers alcohol which would negate my indole

> comment. Need coffee! HTH and wasn't too wishy-washy, but there are

> several factors here, indoles and unknown denaturants, I believe.

>

Anya, I am harvesting just after they bloom. I have about 10 bushes,

so Lots to grab as they bloom. Maybe I will try a batch with a

different alcohol. Thanks.

MJ

>

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