Menstruum or Solvent

Probably the most popular method for processing herbs and the one that has the longest shelf life of 20 years next to Jojoba oil and Honey which are indefinitely, if stored properly in dark glass away from heat and light. 80-100 proof Vodka is most commonly used. You can use culinary alcohol and dilute it down to needed proof. I never have used mostly because you have to file for a permit (not expensive some are $5) but you have to keep track of federal tax on it and pay directly to the government…..I’m not interested. Homemade wine is popular to use especially among homesteaders and people who don’t want to use an alcohol still. I will add it to ways to process in future. The key with using alcohol since there is essentially no value for our bodies in it, is to find a very clean processed alcohol, organic ideally. I definitely avoid bottom shelf, it is made from bottom of the barrel quality ingredients. I use Kirkland or Titos most of the time. You can use other alcohol just remember ones like whisky are already infused with something, you will get fewer constituents out of your herbs because of liquids' maximum saturation point.

Specifically organic cold-pressed process Extra Virgin Olive Oil, EVOO never refined. This is what I most use whether it is used internally or externally. The health benefits are amazing! Olive oil has a longer shelf life of oils to infuse with. If stored properly in dark glass away from light and heat it can last 2-3 years, use your nose if it’s not rancid it's still good. If you are making oil to cook with do not use EVOO over 320 degrees, it will destroy benefits and becomes a carcinogenic. Better choices are organic Olive oil or Avocado oil. 

Constituents of EVOO include but not limited to oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, vitamins, and minerals.

Its potential health benefits include but not limited to lower blood pressure vasodilator, total cholesterol lower LDL increased HDL, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, digestion, and anti-aging.

Avocado oil is processed similar to Olive oil. It is made from the flesh of the fruit not the seed. It can be used in any form for infusions internally, externally and cooking. It has a smoke point of 520 degrees but remember cooking your infused oils will destroy most of your benefits, many use it at the very end to dress their meal. Like Olive oil, you want an organic cold-pressed process, never refined. Cold- pressed Avocado oil has a shelf life of 2-3 years if stored properly, dark glass away from light and heat. Use your nose if it’s not rancid, it’s good. 

Constituents of Avocado oil include but not limited to oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, tocopherols, phytosterols, carotenoids, chlorophylls, vitamins, and minerals.

Its potential health benefits include but not limited to anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidants, oleic acid promotes collagen, and UV protection.

Jojoba oil is fantastic, it is actually a liquid wax. Is highly prized in face care due to its molecular structure that is most similar to our skin's natural oil. Like the other oils you want to use an organic cold-pressed process, never refined. Made by cold-pressing the nuts of the Jojoba plant it is colorless, odorless and waxy. Stored properly in dark glass, away from heat and light, it has an indefinite shelf life. I don’t infuse but a few herbs like rose hips, horsetail, calendula if using in face care due ONLY to cost of Jojoba.

Constituents of Jojoba oil include but not limited to gadoleic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, vitamin E, sterols, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, cyanogenic compounds, vitamins and minerals

Its potential health benefits include but not limited to humectant, anti-inflammatory, burn relief, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-aging, and scalp health.

Love Castor oil! There will be another write up about Castor oil in the future with gobs of more uses, sticking to just the basic menstruum information here. Like the rest of the oils, you want an organic cold-pressed process, never refined. Your shelf life, 2-3 years, is always best when stored in dark glass and away from light and heat. Use your nose oils go rancid when bad. Castor oil is known for how deep it can penetrate your body…4 INCHES!! You can infuse with it but many, myself included add 10-20%, to my already infused oils to boost distribution in body because of how thick it is.

Constituents of Castor oil include but not limited to ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, vitamins, and minerals.

Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, analgesic, and increased collagen production.

The benefits and use of honey is LONG! I will create another section about honey in the future. Raw honey is an amazing menstruum and preservative, it has an indefinite shelf life. If ingredients are dried properly your honey will be shelf stable, fresh herbs need to be refrigerated due to water content. Garlic in fresh raw form is the only herb I know of yet that you can add to honey and not have to refrigerate, I’m sure there are many things that are perfectly safe I just have yet to try. Honey has been used for it's benefits since God created us.

Constituents of raw honey include but are not limited to mono and di saccharides, gluconic acid, malic and succinic acids, lysine, phenylalanine, proline, arginine, hydrogen peroxide, esters, ketones, aldehydes, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals.

Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to phytonutrient, digestive support, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, prebiotic, restorative sleep, may help improve blood sugars against type 2 diabetes and of metabolic syndrome, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant.

The uses for Apple Cider Vinegar is huge, I will create another section more in-depth in the future. Again always organic, you also want a raw unfiltered ACV, Apple Cider Vinegar, with the mother is fantastic but absolutely not necessary. Vinegar is one you can easily make yourself with fruit scraps or even herbs, a great video by Heidi at Rain Country https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ2O-pt1EVs  If stored properly in dark glass away from light and heat it will have a shelf life of 5-10 years, it then may start losing potency, but will not “go bad.” 

Constituents of raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar include but are not limited to acetic acid, polyphenolic compounds, probiotics, pectin, succinic, ascorbic, formic, citric, oxalic acids, vitamins, and minerals. 

Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to microbiome, antioxidant, gastrointestinal distress, weight loss, reduced bloating, and help lower blood sugars.

Is a clear liquid normally made from soybean, palm or coconut oils. It is a lab-created product; it does not naturally occur. It has no odor and a sweet mild taste with the consistency of syrup. You want organic food-grade vegetable glycerin, plant-based. If stored in dark glass and away from heat and light you can expect 2 years shelf life. Always use your nose and eyes to determine. Higher quality products and proper storage will give you a longer shelf life. 

  Vegetable Glycerin does not have many potential health benefits, it is a humectant, antimicrobial and has a low glycemic index.  

Sweet Almond oil is another fantastic oil for your skin particularly for blemishes, scars and stretch marks. Like the rest of the oils you want an organic cold-pressed process, never refined. If stored in dark glass and away from heat and light you can expect 1-2 years shelf life but always use your nose, if it's not rancid it's not bad. It is used internally and externally often. With a smoke point of 225 degrees you do not want to cook with but use in dressings with its nutty natural flavor is popular. 

Constituents of Sweet Almond oil include but are not limited to loeic acid, sterols, tocopherols, beta-sitoserol, squalene, vitamins, and minerals.

Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, increased collagen production, assist in blood sugar levels, and memory.