I started a fresh echinacea purpurea tincture last month with the flower cones from my garden, using instructions from Sharol Tilgner’s book. I will make a separate one in the fall with the roots and mix them. She recommends a 1:1 strength and I think I remember David saying 1:2. I’m wondering what your opinion is.

Rich said: Thanks Becky - I am actually curious how someone would accomplish a 1:1 tincture at home using a maceration method. I don't know how it could be done! Maybe you can elaborate and follow up.

I calculated 80% water in the fresh plant. I’m using 192 proof Polish vodka. 350 g plant with 350 ml menstruum. Figured 280 ml water in herb. 350 ml menstruum + 280 ml = 630 ml total liquid. She recommended 48% alcohol but David said 60%, so I used that. 630 ml x .6 = 378 ml alcohol. 630 ml x .4 = 252 ml water. Difference between 252 ml water and 280 ml water in the herb = -28ml. 252-28=224 ml water + 406 ml alcohol. This comes out slightly higher alcohol at 64%. I blended that measurement of alcohol and water with the echinacea cones/flowers. It’s a thick sludgy mixture but the herb is not above the surface. She recommends tincturing for 2 months.

One more question: Should the roots be dug up after the tops have died after frost, or before?

Rich said: No - this contains a mistake early on. If you wanted to truly have a 1:1 tincture then, yes, 350 g herb = 350 ml menstruum. If you calculated that the herb already contains 280 ml of water, you do not ADD that to the menstruum, you SUBTRACT it from the menstruum that you put into the tincture, so that the FINAL TOTAL menstruum equals 350 ml. Otherwise it is not 1:1. If someone claims that it is, it's not an accurate statement. In other words if you add them, and end up with 630 ml, then that is 350 g herb to 630 ml menstruum, meaning it is a 1:1.8 tincture, or basically close to a 1:2 tincture. I'll repeat I have no idea how you do a true 1:1 with maceration - give it a try and you'll see what I mean. In terms of harvesting - yes, you have it right. Harvest flowers when they are ready (I usually get them just before they are fully opened), and then you dig up roots after the plant has gone dormant in the fall.