Herbs on holiday: if you're planning a road trip, be sure to pack an herbal travel kit - includes related article on tinctures and creams - The Herbalist

Vegetarian Times, April, 1995 by Drew DeSilver

3. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place.

4. Shake the jar every day or so to promote the alcohol's absorption of the herb's medicinal constituents.

5. If the liquid level has fallen slightly, top it off with fresh alcohol.

6. After at least two weeks and no more than six, pour the liquid into an opaque bottle, straining out the plant parts with a fine cloth or filter. Label the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place until you're ready to pack.

Once you have your tinctures, you can use them to make healing creams. The following recipe is adapted from one in The Natural Pharmacy (Dorling Kindersley, 1992), by Miriam Polunin and Christopher Robbins.

HERBAL CREAM

Melt 1 cup almond oil and 4 ounces beeswax together in top of a double boiler. Heat 1 cup tincture (or 2 cups fresh infusion) to same temperature; add to melted mixture. Heat until mixture is just simmering and liquid has boiled off; remove from heat. Let cool; pour into clean, screw-top glass jars. Store in a cool, dark place.