Herbal Tonic Vinegars

More on vinegar (a whole lot - I hope this is worth reading through!)

I thought it might be a good idea to go in to depth a bit more about the difference between using a herbal infused vinegar as a nutritional supplement (tonic) - these aren't the same as the culinary vinegars most of us are used to (though they can be used in culinary ways - salad dressings and the like). Tonic vinegars are herbal concentrates made from wild foods and nutrient dense herbs (think Dandelion, Nettles, Mugwort and Fireweed Leaves). Herbal vinegars can be used as a great way to supplement nutrition. Vinegars aren't really used with medicinally-active herbs for extracting their properties. This is because with medicinal plants vinegar can't necessarily extract the chemicals from the plant the way that alcohol can. Herbal vinegars are better thought of as a tonic because they extract nutrients and minerals - so choose herbs and roots to use that are nutrient dense.

Herbal Vinegars have been used since ancient times as a curative. Hippocrates (the father of medicine) prescribed drinking vinegar (and honey) to his patients. Vinegar's natural properties (anti-fungal/antibacterial) help boost the immune system, balance any overly acidic tendencies in the body, reduce cholesterol, act as a diuretic, removes extra sodium from the body as well as many other healthful side effects. I can remember my grandmother using apple cider vinegar (2 tablespoons in the am) as a natural weight reducer.

To make a herbal tonic vinegar the best base in my opinion vinegar wise is to choose a raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar. The process of pasteurizing and distilling kills the enzymes that lend vinegar some of its magical healing properties. Highly processed vinegar can actually rob your body of minerals if taken internally (think the big bottles of white stuff you can get an any grocery store). Living RAW vinegar will probably have a mother (see my post on making Apple Cider Vinegar for more about - "the mother"). If you use raw vinegar and even if you remove the mother before you make your herbal tonic - it may grow another one. Mothers are harmless and actually prove your vinegar is working and alive. However when you are making live vinegars be careful to watch them so they don't over process and the mother doesn't start eating up the all the goodness in the tonic (best to leave them a months strain them off and rebottle - so they don't go watery).

Herbal Tonic Vinegars are an infusion or a tincture just like the ones you would make by using alcohol or oil. As I mentioned yesterday you do this by simply steeping your herbs in vinegar for a few weeks or longer. When you add herbs or wild foods to vinegar the vinegar essentially extracts the nutrients in to itself from the plant/root/flower or berry. If you have ever made an infusion or an extract using traditional methods you know that water, alcohol, oil and vinegar are the basic bases used by herbalists to extract the essence of whatever herb you are using. Each base has different strengths and weaknesses. For instance alcohol is considered to be the most powerful base to extract medicinal compounds from many plants but, it can also dissolve many substances in the plant as it accomplishes this that vinegar will not. What vinegar does better than alcohol is extract nutrients - in particular minerals and trace minerals from plants.

Tips

• Some believe you should chop your herbs/roots and others stuff them in their jars whole. I think using fresh plants (dry not wet) modestly chopped works best - well that is my opinion feel free to disagree! Metal lids on mason jars will rust if you use them with vinegars - you can buy plastic lids for mason jars to use instead (no rust!) - also great if you are in to juicing. 
• Be sure to label what you are doing with a date and what is in your jar - I've had a few "experiments" go to waste because I've forgotten them too long in my storage room and can't remember what is in the jar. 
• After about 2 months it is a good idea if you are using raw vinegar to strain off the vinegar and rebottle it.
• Many people believe that if you use honey with your "tonic" that it helps your body to absorb it better (*honey doesn't melt into vinegar so if you want to try this use a little hot water to melt your honey in wait for it to cool a bit and add your vinegar - you don't want it too hot or it will kill the good stuff in your vinegar!) - 1 to 2 tablespoons a day is a great way to use your tonic as a supplement.

Herbs for Tonic Vinegars - a few ideas...

• Dandelion (flowers, leaves and or roots! it's all good!)
• Fireweed (same - try to harvest the roots in the fall if you can and make two batches that you blend together - a fireweed blend made from the roots and leaves of the plant is thought to be particularly good for men's prostate gland - this also works well as an alcohol based tincture)
• Nettle (tummy troubles)
• Sage (throat)
• Lambsquarter
• Raspberry Leaves and or roots (great for women - headaches/pms and the like)
• Chickweed
• Garlic
• Mustard
• Horsetail