Re: Making various Tinctures

[Guest guest]

On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 8:11 AM, puenteperfumes wrote:

>

> Also, I was thinking about trying to make a tincture of Orris Root. Is it

> possible to make a tincture with Orris Powder? Any ideas or suggestions?

>

>

Hiya

I made a tincture with orris powder, and it's one of my favourites of the

small number of tinctures I've made. I had it macerating for a couple of

months, and after I strained off the alcohol, the remaining powder still

smelled strong after it had dried out. I 'm going to try it again for longer

next time.

Nonetheless the tincture seems quite acceptably strong and lasting to me!

I'd be interested to know how others have done it.

Best,

Johanna

[Guest guest]

> Hiya

>

> I made a tincture with orris powder, and it's one of my favourites of the

> small number of tinctures I've made. I had it macerating for a couple of

> months, and after I strained off the alcohol, the remaining powder still

> smelled strong after it had dried out. I 'm going to try it again for longer

> next time.

>

> Nonetheless the tincture seems quite acceptably strong and lasting to me!

>

> I'd be interested to know how others have done it.

>

> Best,

> Johanna

>

Thank you Johanna,

I will be trying it soon. On an old perfume book I have I think they mention

using a very large amount of Orris root but I don't think it was powder... not

sure. Do you know about what percentage you tinctured it at? The reason I'm

thinking about doing it is because sometimes just a tiny bit of orris makes a

blend smell so much more elegant but Orris Butter is very expensive. Have you

tried blending the tincture with other aromatics?

Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 9:01 AM, puenteperfumes wrote:

I will be trying it soon. On an old perfume book I have I think they mention

> using a very large amount of Orris root but I don't think it was powder...

> not sure. Do you know about what percentage you tinctured it at?

>

I'm still a bit of a hopeless record keeper (slap on the hand, I know) - but

I used a lot of powder. Once the powder had settled, it's top was about 1/2

as far up the jar as the alcohol was. (It looked like more when it was dry.)

I shook it regularly. Sorry I can't be more precise!

Have you tried blending the tincture with other aromatics?

>

Yes - just a little. Have to dash out but will detail when I get back!

J

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm glad you asked that....I was thinking of trying to tincture those same two

items.  I found a place that sells both orris pieces and power and was

wondering

which would be the best.  Powder would probably be the easiest but I am

guessing

that powder might be less aromatic. 

Jane

[Guest guest]

Johanna,

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Jane

[Guest guest]

Also, I was thinking about trying to make a tincture of Orris Root. Is it

possible to make a tincture with Orris Powder? Any ideas or suggestions?

This is very exciting as I will also be playing around with Ambergris as well

but I already have instructions on how to tincture that.

-------------------------------------------------------

 

While I haven't made a tincture from the powdered Orris Root, I did tincture the

cut & sifted root with great success.

 

I tinctured at a 1:5 ratio, 2 oz Orris Root to 10 oz Everclear.  I let it

mascerate 2 weeks, then strained and recharged with another 2 oz Orris Root. 

Repeated this once more, then strained the final tincture into an amber jar for

storage.  Total Yeild was 8 oz.  It turned out wonderful, a nice powdery violet

scent that works well in the few blends I have played with it in.  I would say

the scent is pretty close to the orris butter I have sampled, though less

concentrated obviously.

 

I would think the powder would work just as well, maybe even better with more

surface area of the herb exposed.  I think the biggest drawback would be the

extra filtering depending on how fine a powder.  You may also get less yeild as

the powders tend to absorb more liquid, from my experiences with herbal

tinctures.

 

I would love to hear what your instructions for tincturing ambergris say.  I

have seen the instructions from Poucher, but always love seeing different ways

of doing things.

 

Thanks!

 

[Guest guest]

 

> I would love to hear what your instructions for tincturing ambergris say.  I

have seen the instructions from Poucher, but always love seeing different ways

of doing things.

>  

Hi ,

Thank you for the info on how you've tinctured Orris Root. I'm planning on

getting my Orris Rot Powder from www.scents-of-earth.com but they don't sell the

chucks like you used. Is it possible to direct me on where I can find high

quality chucks or orris root? I'd like to try a tincture of both. As for the

Ambergris, I was simply told to grind the Ambergris in a Mortar and Pestle and

add to alcohol (from 1% to 3% ambergris), then shake every day for about 3

months. I haven't tried it yet since I haven't purchased my ambergris yet but I

will soon.

Eliam

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the info on how you've tinctured Orris Root. I'm planning on

getting my Orris Rot Powder from www.scents-of-earth.com but they don't sell the

chucks like you used. Is it possible to direct me on where I can find high

quality chucks or orris root? I'd like to try a tincture of both. As for the

Ambergris, I was simply told to grind the Ambergris in a Mortar and Pestle and

add to alcohol (from 1% to 3% ambergris), then shake every day for about 3

months. I haven't tried it yet since I haven't purchased my ambergris yet but I

will soon.

Eliam

---------------

 

I actually just purchased mine from a local herb store in Colorado Springs, Sage

Woman Herbs.  I wanted to be able to smell it before buying, and their store was

just around the corner from me.  It smelled wonderful in the jar, so I bought

several ounces and went home to tincture  :-)  They do have a website to order

from, but you may be able to get it locally and save on the shipping charges if

you have a nice store in your area.

 

And thank you for sharing the ambergris info!

 

[Guest guest]

> On Wed, Nov 3, 2010 at 8:11 AM, puenteperfumeswrote:

>>

>> Also, I was thinking about trying to make a tincture of Orris Root. Is it

>> possible to make a tincture with Orris Powder? Any ideas or suggestions?

> I made a tincture with orris powder, and it's one of my favourites of the

> small number of tinctures I've made. I had it macerating for a couple of

> months, and after I strained off the alcohol, the remaining powder still

> smelled strong after it had dried out. I 'm going to try it again for longer

> next time.

>

Hi Folks....

Years ago, in my first tincturing foray, I used the orris root,

powdered...I confess to not taking notes then...It was part of a shotgun

approach to tincturing for first time...

I achieved a low-strength, but nicely smelling tincture...Time was a

couple weeks or so...It has also improved with age......

The spices I used first on were from the local Natural Co-op...Ultimate

source: San Francisco Herb....

BTW, SFH makes the best Pizza Spice Mix on the Planet, but I did not

tincture that...<G>....!

I will do Orris....again, but next time get enough Orris Powder for

several recharges, and take notes...

With the present batch, plan to use it as perfume diluent, whenever,

when just a *touch* of orris root essence in the blend...

Care....

--

W. Bourbonais

L'Hermite Aromatique

A.J.P. (GIA)

http://www.facebook.com/Le.Hermite

[Guest guest]

hello,

> Also, I was thinking about trying to make a tincture of Orris Root. Is

> it possible to make a tincture with Orris Powder? Any ideas or suggestions?

sure it is. and the results are pretty good, although it does not smell

like orris butter. here is the recipe, i've got it from arctander's book,

25% orris root in 95% ethyl alcohol. to be macerated for one month.

btw. orris root in this case means dried (for some time) and pulverised.

best,

guido.

[Guest guest]

here is the recipe, i've got it from arctander's book,

>

> 25% orris root in 95% ethyl alcohol. to be macerated for one month.

>

> btw. orris root in this case means dried (for some time) and pulverised.

Thanks Guido,

I found an Apothecary Store that is very close to my new apartment and I believe

they sell Orris Root in chunks and powder. I will try both.

I would love to get a copy of Arctander's book but I can't seem to find it for

less than $300 which I can't afford. Hopefully someone has a download or

something?

[Guest guest]

hello eliam,

> I found an Apothecary Store that is very close to my new apartment and I

> believe they sell Orris Root in chunks and powder. I will try both.

make sure it is dried long enough. i am not sure, if i remember well, it

has to be dried for at least two years. maybe other list members can

confirm or correct this.

best,

guido.

[Guest guest]

it

> has to be dried for at least two years. maybe other list members can

> confirm or correct this.

Hi Guido,

Thanks again. Yes, I believe you are correct. Last I check it should be aged

or dried for about 2 to 3 years. I will check with them before I buy.

[Guest guest]

The Orris powder works great with the dregs sinking to the bottom and

the tincture easy to pour off. i usually add fresh powder about 3

times for a strong tincture.

Katlyn Breene

Mermade Magickal Arts (since 1984)

katmermade@...

http://www.mermadearts.com/

[Guest guest]

hello katlyn,

> The Orris powder works great with the dregs sinking to the bottom and

> the tincture easy to pour off. i usually add fresh powder about 3

> times for a strong tincture.

i use a piece of lab-grade filterpaper for all the tinctures, and things

like mimosa absolute. it works like a charm. you cut out a round piece,

fold it in half, again fold that in half so you get a \/ shape, and put

that point down in a (preferably glass) funnel. open it up, and start

pouring.

when done, you can put the filterpaper to use for scenting drawers,

wallets, bags, etc, if you like.

[Guest guest]

when done, you can put the filterpaper to use for scenting drawers,

> wallets, bags, etc, if you like.

THAT'S GENIUS! I remember when I was younger my mother would always put a small

piece of European soap in our drawers to scent it and of course I've also

scented a handkerchief or gloves with a few items to use in a drawer but I never

though of just using the filter paper.

[Guest guest]

>

> The Orris powder works great with the dregs sinking to the bottom and

> the tincture easy to pour off. i usually add fresh powder about 3

> times for a strong tincture.

>

> Katlyn Breene

> Mermade Magickal Arts (since 1984)

> katmermade@...

> http://www.mermadearts.com/

>

>

Seeing as how orris powder absorbs about 1 1/2 times its own volume of the

alcohol, could you tell me how much alcohol you start out with (to get a strong

tincture?)

Thanks,

Felicia