# Campaign 111: Prepare the Medicine

## The Complete Tincture, Salve, Poultice, and Herbal Preparation Guide

### A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community

## Preamble

Knowing which plants heal is only half the knowledge. The other half is knowing how to PREPARE them for maximum potency, shelf life, and bioavailability. A fresh herb wilts in days. A properly made tincture lasts 5-10 years. A well-crafted salve delivers medicine through the skin exactly where needed. This campaign covers every major herbal preparation method: tinctures, salves, poultices, infusions, decoctions, syrups, oxymels, and more.

## Part I: Herbal Preparation Methods

### Chapter 1: Preparation Comparison

| Preparation | Solvent | Shelf Life | Best For | Potency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tincture | Alcohol (40-95%) | 5-10 years | Internal use, fast absorption | Very high |
| Glycerite | Vegetable glycerin | 1-2 years | Children, alcohol-sensitive | Moderate |
| Infusion (tea) | Hot water | Hours (fresh) | Leaves, flowers, gentle herbs | Low-moderate |
| Decoction | Boiling water | Hours (fresh) | Roots, bark, seeds, tough material | Moderate |
| Cold infusion | Cold water | Hours (fresh) | Mucilaginous herbs (marshmallow, slippery elm) | Low-moderate |
| Salve/balm | Oil + beeswax | 1-2 years | Skin conditions, wounds, muscles | Moderate (topical) |
| Poultice | Fresh herb + water | Immediate use | Acute injuries, bites, stings | High (local) |
| Syrup | Sugar/honey + water | 6-12 months | Coughs, sore throats, children | Moderate |
| Oxymel | Honey + vinegar | 1-2 years | Respiratory, immune support | Moderate |
| Infused oil | Carrier oil | 6-12 months | Base for salves, massage, skin | Moderate |
| Compress | Cloth soaked in tea/decoction | Immediate use | Inflammation, pain, swelling | Moderate (local) |
| Capsule | Dried powdered herb | 1-2 years | Bitter herbs, precise dosing | Variable |

### Chapter 2: Tincture Making (Folk Method)

| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Harvest | Collect plant material at peak potency | Leaves: before flowering. Flowers: just opened. Roots: fall/spring. |
| 2. Chop | Cut herb finely to increase surface area | Fresh herb: chop. Dried herb: crumble or powder. |
| 3. Fill jar | Pack herb into clean glass jar | Fresh: fill jar loosely. Dried: fill jar 1/2 to 2/3. |
| 4. Add alcohol | Pour alcohol over herb to cover completely | 80-proof vodka (40%) for most herbs. 190-proof (95%) for resins/gums. |
| 5. Seal and label | Cap tightly, label with herb name and date | Include: herb, alcohol %, date started |
| 6. Macerate | Store in dark place, shake daily for 4-6 weeks | Shaking redistributes solvent for even extraction |
| 7. Strain | Pour through cheesecloth, squeeze out all liquid | Compost spent herb material |
| 8. Bottle | Transfer to dark glass dropper bottles | Amber or cobalt glass protects from light |
| 9. Label | Final label: herb, alcohol %, date, dosage | Store in cool, dark place |

### Chapter 3: Salve Making

| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Make infused oil | Steep dried herb in olive oil (1:5 ratio) for 4-6 weeks | OR warm infusion: low heat (100-110°F) for 4-8 hours |
| 2. Strain oil | Filter through cheesecloth into clean container | Press herb to extract all oil |
| 3. Measure oil | Note volume of infused oil | Ratio: 1 oz beeswax per 8 oz oil (standard firmness) |
| 4. Melt beeswax | Gently melt beeswax in double boiler | Never direct heat — beeswax is flammable |
| 5. Combine | Add infused oil to melted beeswax, stir | Add essential oils now if desired (10-20 drops per 8 oz) |
| 6. Test firmness | Drop small amount on cold plate | Adjust: more wax = firmer. More oil = softer. |
| 7. Pour | Pour into tins or jars while still liquid | Work quickly — sets fast |
| 8. Cool and label | Let set completely (1-2 hours), then label | Store in cool place. Shelf life: 1-2 years. |

### Chapter 4: Common Preparations Quick Reference

| Herb | Best Preparation | Primary Use | Dosage (Tincture) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echinacea | Tincture (root) | Immune support, infection | 30-60 drops, 3x daily |
| Calendula | Salve (flowers) | Wound healing, skin repair | Apply topically as needed |
| Elderberry | Syrup (berries) | Cold/flu prevention | 1 tbsp daily (prevention), 1 tbsp 4x daily (acute) |
| Chamomile | Infusion (flowers) | Anxiety, digestion, sleep | 1-2 cups tea as needed |
| Valerian | Tincture (root) | Sleep, anxiety, muscle tension | 30-60 drops before bed |
| Plantain | Poultice (leaves) | Insect bites, stings, splinters | Apply fresh crushed leaf directly |
| Ginger | Decoction (root) | Nausea, circulation, digestion | Simmer sliced root 15 min, drink |
| Yarrow | Poultice/tincture (leaves/flowers) | Stop bleeding, fever, cold/flu | Poultice on wound. Tincture: 30 drops. |
| Mullein | Infused oil (flowers) | Ear infections, ear pain | 2-3 warm drops in affected ear |
| Comfrey | Salve (root/leaf) | Bone/tissue repair (external only) | Apply salve to sprains, fractures |

### Chapter 5: The Practitioner Herbalism Reference Card

**ALCOHOL EXTRACTS WHAT WATER CANNOT:** Many medicinal compounds (alkaloids, resins, essential oils) dissolve in alcohol but not water. Tinctures capture the full spectrum of plant medicine.

**FRESH vs. DRIED:** Fresh herbs have higher water content (use higher-proof alcohol). Dried herbs are more concentrated (use lower-proof alcohol). Both work — adjust your solvent.

**SALVE = OIL + WAX:** Any infused oil can become a salve by adding beeswax. Standard ratio: 1 oz beeswax per 8 oz oil. More wax = harder. Less wax = softer.

**LABEL EVERYTHING:** Date, herb name, solvent, ratio, dosage. Unlabeled preparations are useless and potentially dangerous. Professional labeling is non-negotiable.

**REMEMBER:** The difference between a weed and a medicine is preparation. A Practitioner who can make tinctures, salves, syrups, and poultices has a complete pharmacy from the plants that grow freely around them — shelf-stable for years, potent, and proven by millennia of use.

## Council Approval

**All 12 voices unanimously approve.** Complete herbal preparation sovereignty.

**Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 111 is complete.**