Creating tinctures to extract the healing properties of plants and herbs can be a time consuming process, but the benefits are often worth it. Distilling tinctures can help to evaporate the alcohol used in the extraction process, making the tincture more palatable and easier to consume. This article will provide an overview of the distillation process and offer guidance on how to evaporate alcohol from tinctures safely and effectively.

What is the best method to evaporate alcohol from a CBD tincture?

The best method to evaporate alcohol from a CBD tincture is by vacuum distillation. This method involves heating the tincture in a vacuum chamber and then collecting the vaporized alcohol as it is released. Vacuum distillation is an effective and efficient way to remove alcohol from a tincture and can be done relatively quickly.

Are there any health risks associated with evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture?

Yes, there are health risks associated with evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture. The process of evaporating alcohol can reach high temperatures and can cause the cannabinoids in the tincture to break down, resulting in a less potent product. Additionally, the alcohol fumes can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and throat. Therefore, it is important to take safety precautions when evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture.

How long does it typically take to evaporate alcohol from a CBD tincture?

It typically takes about two days for the alcohol to fully evaporate from a CBD tincture. This depends on the air temperature and humidity levels, and can take up to four days in some cases.

What temperature is optimal for evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture?

The optimal temperature for evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture is between 140-180°F. It is important to not exceed this temperature range, as too much heat can affect the CBD potency.

Are there any special precautions that need to be taken when evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture?

Yes, special precautions should be taken when evaporating alcohol from a CBD tincture. The most important precaution is to use a fan or blower to ensure that the fumes are moved away from the working area. Additionally, it is important to use a heat source that is safe for the tincture and does not cause any damage to the CBD. Finally, it is important to ensure that the area is properly ventilated and that the temperature of the tincture is monitored to ensure that it does not exceed the boiling point of alcohol.

For example, clinical studies have shown that oregano is a good antimicrobial as an alcohol extract or as an essential oil but is very ineffective as a hot water extract. However, we do realise that some of our patients are sensitive to alcohol or chose not to use any alcohol. Where possible we will provide an alternative herbal capsules or herbal teas. On a bottle of tincture you will always find a note of the ratio. The first number always denotes how much herb has been used in comparison with the second part, which is the liquid. In this example, 1 part of herb was macerated in 3 parts of liquid before being filtered out. The liquid is a mixture of alcohol usually sugar beet ethanol and water. At a 5ml teaspoon dose this is under Adding hot water is fine as most herbal compounds are very resilient. Traditionally they would be simmered for 2 days! Flower tinctures are the most sensitive as they contain high amounts of volatile oils and root and bark tinctures with alkaloids and saponins tend to be the least sensitive. Most patients who want to reduce the alcohol content of their tinctures just put their dose into a cup and add a little boiling water. Evaporating the tinctures takes a little planning ahead. Some patients will put the doses for the next day into small saucers or eggcups and leave them out, uncovered, for 24 hours before taking them. It helps to put them in a warm place such as a sunny window-sill, by a radiator, or the heater cupboard. If you forgot to plan ahead and own an electric AromaStone usually used for essential oils then put you 5ml dose of tincture onto the AromaStone. Starting with a preheated AromaStone, after 25 minutes the 5ml dose reduces to 2ml. At 30 minutes to 1ml and starting to get sticky. The only tricky bit is pouring it off again without spilling it, as there is no spout – as on a jug. This requires an AromaStone and a little ml borosilicate lab jug that fits inside the dish. It makes the pouring off easier but takes longer to heat as the glass has to transfer the heat to the tincture. It takes about 1 hour to reduce 5ml to 1ml. You can then add a little warm water to jug and drink it straight from that. Evaporating the liquid off does make the herbs taste much stronger so some juice will help the taste. Pour your herbal tincture into a pyrex jug ensuring there is plenty of space at the top. For example, pour a ml bottle of tincture into a 1 litre jug. Check that you can see any printed graduations marked on the jug clearly. If not, insert a wooden lollipop stick or the handle of a clean wooden spoon into the tincture and mark with a pen just above the level that the tincture comes to. Remove the stick and measure halfway down. Now make a tiny notch with a knife or tie a white thread around it, so that you can clearly see where the halfway mark is. If you have an electric or induction hob Watch while the water simmers. Be very careful not to burn it. Simmer it until the tincture has reduced by half. For example, until ml has reached the ml mark. If you have a gas hob As soon as the water in the saucepan around the glass bowl containing your tincture starts to boil, turn the heat off. Do not be tempted to let it simmer for longer as evaporating alcohol fumes are flammable and can catch fire. Remove the saucepan containing the pyrex jug from the stove and put it down on a heatn protective mat by the side of the stove. Leave the lid off. Wait for 3 hours and check the level of evaporation against the markings or with your stick or spoon handle. It should have evaporated to the halfway mark. If it has not reached the mark and the water has gone cold, you may need to put the saucepan back onto the heat, bring to the boil, switch off the heat as soon as it boils, and repeat the process. For this you can use water, or warmed honey to make a syrup, depending on how you want it to taste. Decant it from the jug into the original bottle and keep it in the fridge. Use it at the original dose stated on the bottle. Mix well and rebottle. This will not need to be kept in the fridge, as glycerine is a good preservative at this strength. Account Search Cart. Essential Oils. How to reduce alcohol in tinctures. How much alcohol is there anyway? Newsletter Sign up for exclusive offers, original stories, events and more. Sign up. Powered by Shopify. ML of dose.
How to store tinctures and how to determine the proper dosage of herbal tinctures for adults and children. If you want to know how to make an herbal tincture watch this video. We make lots of tinctures and sell them all over the world. You can check us out at and learn more about us at Birth Song Botanicals. Herbal tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts made by soaking either fresh or dried, bark, berries, leaves, flowers, or roots from one or more plants in a liquid combination of alcohol and water. This liquid solvent is called the menstruum.