Production Information
Artemis Tinctures
Artemis herbal tinctures are produced in a rather different way to the usual tincture. Not only are Artemis herbs made from mostly organic herbs and natural spring water, they are also produced in a way which ensures a more complete range of herbal constituents are extracted.It is only in recent times that herbs have been prepared by cold maceration in alcohol and water; traditionally, infusions and decoctions, in which the herb is steeped or boiled in hot water, were the most common methods used. Artemis combines ancient practice with modern methods by using both hot and cold extraction in the same product.
So, what does this mean in practice? Well, a standard tincture is made by soaking the herb in cold tap water and alcohol for 2 weeks. It is then pressed out and bottled.
Artemis tincture production is much more involved than that. Tinctures made from roots, bark and seeds have part of the herb boiled in spring water to extract the more water-soluble aspects of the plant. The remaining herb is then cold-macerated in alcohol, spring water and the cooled decoction. Good examples of this are hawthorn-berry tincture, dandelion root tincture and liquorice root tincture.
Infused tinctures undergo a similar process, apart from the fact that the herb is steeped in hot water rather than boiled. This is used for the leaves, flowers and tops of plants. Good examples of this are dandelion leaf and red clover flower tinctures.
Finally, a distilled tincture is one in which part of the herb is distilled in spring water to produce an aromatic water which is rich in the volatile oils of the plant. This process ensures that a gentle and adequate amount of the volatile components of the plant are present in the tincture alongside the water and alcohol-soluble components. This is absolutely essential for some herbs whose active constituents are either not adequately extracted by cold maceration in alcohol and water, or are lost in the steam when making an infusion. Good examples are the divine rose and lemon balm tinctures.
Some tinctures combine the distillation process with decoction or infusion alongside cold-maceration - three processes which are much more time and labour intensive compared to the standard cold maceration. Good examples of this include the distilled and infused chamomile tincture, and the distilled and decocted cardamom seeds.
Many people have expressed how alive and vital the tinctures are, and how wonderful they smell and taste. The producer of Artemis tinctures supplies to many qualified herbalists in the UK and abroad.
This makes Artemis herbs not only unique, but also excellent value for money.
Artemis Aromatic Waters
Artemis aromatic waters are made using mainly organic herbs, spring water, a traditional still, and a slow and gentle water distillation process. Many other waters on the market such as hydrolats or floral waters are by-products of the essential oil industry, in which a harsh and fast steam distillation process is used. Artemis aromatic waters are the primary product of a much longer distillation process, which may take up to 12 hours.They come packaged in an attractive sprayer bottle for easy use, and they make excellent gifts. Artemis waters may be a little more expensive than other waters you have seen, but you will soon realise why when you try them out and experience their quality.
They are used by professional herbalists and aromatherapists in the UK and abroad.
Artemis Creams
Artemis creams have been formulated by a professional herbalist and are hand-mixed in small batches. They contain a high level of aromatic waters, mixed with marigold, St. John's wort or comfrey oil and some decocted or infused herbs. They do not contain any mineral oils.Artemis Macerated Oils
Macerated oils of marigold and St. John's wort are made by placing the fresh herb in a vegetable oil and standing in full sunlight for a few weeks. These particular oils are made in the South of France from organic sunflower oil. They are double macerated, meaning that after soaking for the first few weeks, the herbs are pressed out and more herb is then soaked in the pressed oil. This produces macerated oils of exceptional strength. You will see this immediately by the wonderful gold colour of the marigold and the deep ruby red of the St. John's wort oil.We also produce comfrey oil which is made by placing the dried herb in a baine-marie and infusing in the oil for 3 or more hours.
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