At the Apothecary, we love a Tincture. They are gentle but effective and so easy to take. The ones we make for you are complex and designed for whole body and mind support so the Heartease Tincture and the Menopause Tincture and the Digestive Tincture - they include plants, flower essences and remedies, but you can actualy make a really simple tincture at home.
Yesterday I was battling through the greenhouse which has suddenly become an untamed wild place with Roses huge and rampant, Rosemary which is escaping the bed and leaning into the path with intent, Rose Geranium which has reached triffid like proportions and Nasturtiums which have spilled out of their high beds by both climbing up any available plant and spilling over the side. Coupled with that, our hens have taken to lurking in the back of the long beds because it's so warm and jungle like in there, suddenly flapping around if disturbed.
So it was time to, not exactly create order, but at least rediscover the path. Jo picked lots of the Nasturtiums, both flower and leaf. I picked lots of the seeds that dangle rather beautifully on wiry stems - these are now being made into alternative capers.
Nasturtium Tincture is really easy to make and also really good to keep in the medicine chest. It is one of the best for UTIs because of its antiseptic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties and very good also for cold, damp and phlegmatic conditions of the respiratory system - so where there's lots of mucus, wet coughs, painful sinusitis.
It works brilliantly alongside our Breathe & Clear Balm which is this month's free gift on all orders over £65. 5mls of the tincture morning and night, either off the spoon or in an egg cup of water, plus a good application of the Balm and you'll be in tip top condition in no time.
So to make it is really simple - wash a kilner jar in hot soapy water, better than a jam jar because it doesn't have a metal lid. Take off the rubber seal and pop it in the oven on a low heat for 15 minutes to sterilise. Take it out, cover it and let it cool, reattach the rubber seal.
Fill the jar loosely with Nasturtium flowers and leaves. It's good to rip them up because the more surface area of plant matter that.s exposed to the alcohol, the better the extraction. Some people blend it but I like to see the plant matter. Pour over the highest proof vodka you can find, make sure all the plant matter is completely covered by alcohol or it will go mouldy on top and you'll have to throw it away.
Shake it enthusiastically and then put it on a shelf where you'll see it so you're reminded to give it a daily shake for the first few days. Then, checking that everything is fully submerged, move it to a cool dark spot and leave it for about 5 weeks giving it the odd shake every now and then. After the first few hours you'll see that the alcohol has turned a gorgeous golden orange. Colour change is one of the best parts of tincture making. Roses go an incredible purple en route to the rich brown at the end.
After the 5 weeks is up, strain it well and really squeeze the plant matter - you want every last drop. Store it in a dark coloured glass bottle to protect it from the light or if you only have clear, keep it in the dark.
Alternative Capers Recipe - I like this one from Rachel Lambert
300 g nasturtium seeds
80 ml vinegar (I use white wine vinegar but Cider vinegar is good too)
80 ml water
Large pinch of sea salt (I use Blackthorn, it's delicious)
Large pinch sugar
2 tsp chopped herbs (of your choice) – optional (I add Dill, Bay leaves and a little bit of Thyme to enhance the respiratory support )
Wash the seeds and place in a pickling jar. In a small saucepan heat up the vinegar, water, salt and sugar to boiling. Pour over the seeds. Add the herbs if using and stir in to submerge. Screw on the lid and leave for 2 weeks before using.