How to Make Chaga Tincture (Double Extraction Method)
In my last post How to Harvest and Process Chaga Mushroom I discussed how to get chaga to the point where you could make a tea or tincture with it. To see that post click here.
I am now selling Double Extracted Chaga Tincture! Visit my Etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StoneAxeHerbals?ref=l2-shopheader-name
We are also giving away a free 1 oz bottle of chaga tincture to one lucky winner!! Check it out here: http://stoneaxeherbals.blogspot.com/2016/02/chaga-tincture-giveaway.html
While chaga tea is a lovely and wonderful beverage in its own right, it is not as potent or convenient as using a tincture. Here is the recipe that I use:
You will need:
- Ground Chaga Mushroom
- 80-100 Proof Alcohol
- A Mason Jar
- A Filter
- A Crockpot or Stovetop
Chaga, and most medicinal mushrooms in general, have some medicinal constituents that are water soluble and some that are alcohol soluble. In order to obtain the highest and most varied amount of these constituents it is vital that your tincture contains both. Here is how to do that:
1. Fill a mason jar with crushed or ground chaga mushroom. Remember that the finer the chaga is, the easier it will be to extract its medicinal properties. Cover with the highest proof alcohol you can find. The minimum you should use is 80 proof, but 100 proof is much better. Having a higher alcohol content also allows you to draw out more of the medicine. Cover and let sit for a month, shaking daily.
You can stop here if you want, but it will not be as potent if you do not continue. If you do not do the next step, you will have to add water until the tincture is 25% alcohol.
2. After a month, or longer if you wish, strain out all of the ground chaga and set it aside. Measure the amount of tincture that you have (you will have lost some in the process most likely).
3. Take your ground chaga and put it in a crock pot or in a pot on the stove. Measure out twice the amount of water as you have tincture. Pour the water over the ground chaga. Stick a wooden chopstick in the water and chaga mixture and mark the water level on it with a knife. Also mark a spot halfway down from the first so you know when your water has evaporated by half. Bring to a boil. You're basically creating chaga tea. Boil the chaga until the liquid is at half the level it was when you added it (up to the second mark you made on the stick). Now you have as much chaga tea as you do chaga tincture. Let it cool. You can now go to step four or you can add all of the water that evaporated back and repeat it one or even two more times.
4. Strain out the chaga from the liquid again. Add your tea into the alcohol tincture until you reach an alcohol content of 25%. If you used 100 proof, or 50%, alcohol this should be easy. Simply dilute it by half by mixing equal parts tincture and tea. If you used 80 proof you're going to have to do some math.
Your chaga tincture is now complete and shelf stable. Transfer it into dark colored glass bottles and store in a cool dark place.
You can purchase brown glass tincture bottles at these two sites:
Consult your physician before using if you are pregnant or nursing or on blood thinners. Keep out of reach of children.
You can stop here if you want, but it will not be as potent if you do not continue. If you do not do the next step, you will have to add water until the tincture is 25% alcohol.
2. After a month, or longer if you wish, strain out all of the ground chaga and set it aside. Measure the amount of tincture that you have (you will have lost some in the process most likely).
3. Take your ground chaga and put it in a crock pot or in a pot on the stove. Measure out twice the amount of water as you have tincture. Pour the water over the ground chaga. Stick a wooden chopstick in the water and chaga mixture and mark the water level on it with a knife. Also mark a spot halfway down from the first so you know when your water has evaporated by half. Bring to a boil. You're basically creating chaga tea. Boil the chaga until the liquid is at half the level it was when you added it (up to the second mark you made on the stick). Now you have as much chaga tea as you do chaga tincture. Let it cool. You can now go to step four or you can add all of the water that evaporated back and repeat it one or even two more times.
4. Strain out the chaga from the liquid again. Add your tea into the alcohol tincture until you reach an alcohol content of 25%. If you used 100 proof, or 50%, alcohol this should be easy. Simply dilute it by half by mixing equal parts tincture and tea. If you used 80 proof you're going to have to do some math.
Your chaga tincture is now complete and shelf stable. Transfer it into dark colored glass bottles and store in a cool dark place.
You can purchase brown glass tincture bottles at these two sites:
Consult your physician before using if you are pregnant or nursing or on blood thinners. Keep out of reach of children.
Looking for some more resources about chaga? Check out these great books!
If you would like to purchase chaga or tincture bottles I recommend getting it from Moutain Rose Herbs at these links:
Click Here to Order Chaga Mushroom
Click Here to Order Tincture Bottles
This post was featured on the Murano Chicken Farm's Saturday Blog Hop! Check it out here:
http://www.muranochickenfarm.com/2016/02/simple-saturdays-blog-hop_27.html
Disclaimer: This blog is just my own opinion, nothing more. While I try my hardest, everything may not be completely accurate or complete. Sorry, I'm only human, so do not hold me accountable for anything you do to harm yourself or the world around you. I do make money from this blog (seriously not very much at all guys). If you click on any of the links in my blog I may make money from it. I'm not sponsored by any of these people I just honestly love these products and want to give you the resources to find them.
