Heather is one of the 38 flower essences developed by Dr. Edward Bach.
According to the principles of homeopathic medicine, flower essences hold the energies of the plants used to make them. A mother tincture is the preparation used to capture these energies and impart them to other remedies. With some care and preparation, you can easily make mother tinctures yourself. There are two methods: the sun method and the boiling method. Use the sun method for flowers. Use the boiling method for woody plants or plants gathered when there is little sun.
Instructions
The Sun Method
1. Sterilize your equipment. Herbalist James Green recommends that you begin by placing it in cold water. Heat it slowly and allow it to boil for 20 minutes. Dry everything carefully and wrap it in a clean cloth.
2. Fill the dropper bottle 1/3 to 1/2 full with brandy. Fill one of the jars with water. It is best to use spring water, well water, or rain water. Otherwise use tap water that has been allowed uncovered overnight. Do not use distilled water.
3. Go to the location where you intend to harvest the flowers. According to herbalists, it is best to gather the flowers on a cloudless morning. Many homeopathic practitioners feel it is essential to focus on your intention and offer gratitude to the plants at this point.
4. Set the bowl on the ground in full sunlight and fill it to the top with water. Pour out any excess water from the jar. Do not drink from the jar; keep it as sterile as possible.
5. Gather the flowers. Touch them as little as possible. One method, used by James Green, is to gather some leaves and cup them in your hand. Use the leaves as a dish and let the flowers fall into it. Another method, used by Catherine Browne, is to cut the flowers with a knife or scissors and allow them to fall into a basket lined with waxed paper. Try to gather the fullest and most perfect-looking blossoms.
6. Float the flowers in the bowl so that they are touching the water and each other. Do not submerge them, and do not touch the water with your fingers. Avoid casting any shadow on the bowl. Continue adding flowers until the entire surface of the water is full. Make sure each flower is in contact with the water.
7. Leave the bowl in full sunlight for two to four hours. Many homeopaths recommend three hours.
8. Separate the flowers from the water. Do not touch the water with your hands. One way to do this is to lift out the flowers by using a leaf or plant stalk. Another way is to strain them through cheesecloth into a second clear glass bowl.
9. Pour the water into the empty jar and use it to fill the remainder of the dropper bottle. Screw the cap on tightly. Be sure to label the bottle. Include the date and make a note that this is the mother tincture.
The Boiling Method
10. Follow Steps One though Three for the sun method as described above. Keep the pot covered when you transport it to the site. Throughout the process, it should remain as sterile as possible.
11. Fill the pot about 3/4 full of flowering twigs, buds, and leaves. Gather a few extra twigs of the same plant to use later as tools; do not put them into the pot. Put the lid on the pot and immediately take it to where you will prepare the herbs.
12. Cover the plants with about 1 quart of cold water. If possible, use spring water, well water, or rainwater. Otherwise use tap water that has been allowed to sit uncovered overnight. Do not use distilled water.
13. Bring the plants to a boil slowly, without covering the pot. If any plant material sticks up from the surface of the water, push it down with the extra twigs. Do not touch the water or the plant material with your hands.
14. Boil the mixture at low heat for half an hour, then set the pot outdoors and allow it to cool completely.
15. Remove all of the plant material from the water. You can use the extra twigs to do this, or strain the water through cheesecloth into a clear glass bowl. Do not touch the water.
16. Allow the water to stand until any residue settles to the bottom.
17.Line the funnel or strainer with the coffee filter and place it on top of one of the jars. Fill the second jar with the water you boiled and slowly pour it into the filter jar. You may need to filter the water more than once.
18. Fill the remainder of the dropper bottle with the filtered water. Screw the cap on tightly. Be sure to label the jar. Include the date and note that this is the mother tincture.
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