I got my big girl researcher panties this week.
I love my job. These past few weeks, I've been taking pictures or video of my work from seeds to medicinal compounds, and I am kind of happy with the story it all tells.
How to pick and make your own botanical brews
1. Find a pretty plant that won't make you crazy after years of staring at it
Monarda punctata: a likely suspect. Note the pretty. If this were scratch and sniff, it would also be pretty.
2. Gather seeds
there's a bazillion there- pulled out of flowers with tweezers (uphill, in the snow, both ways, and we were grateful!).
3. Grow your plants
Wait for it. They're not ready yet.
Ok, now they're ready.
4. Pick about a pound of plant material from your precious plants that you've protected from mice and bugs and stupid undergraduates.
5. Dry it out
6. Blend it in a badassed blender!
7. Sift the hell out of it
...I use a 2-tiered sifter with a lid and shake, shake, shake my booty.
8. Keep the powder and throw out the chaff. You might want to wear a mask. This shit gets airborne and gives you chlorophyllic phlegm.
9. Mix it with your ethanol (PGA?) overnight with a stirrer going on low
10. Filter off the solid plant material and use only the liquid
11. Break out the still to get that mess concentrated.
12. Test against germs!
My thrilling saga of plant research will continue in another installment.
...this, of course, has all been an excuse to show you my still.
How to pick and make your own botanical brews
1. Find a pretty plant that won't make you crazy after years of staring at it
Monarda punctata: a likely suspect. Note the pretty. If this were scratch and sniff, it would also be pretty.
2. Gather seeds
there's a bazillion there- pulled out of flowers with tweezers (uphill, in the snow, both ways, and we were grateful!).
3. Grow your plants
Wait for it. They're not ready yet.
Ok, now they're ready.
4. Pick about a pound of plant material from your precious plants that you've protected from mice and bugs and stupid undergraduates.
5. Dry it out
6. Blend it in a badassed blender!
7. Sift the hell out of it
Click to view...I use a 2-tiered sifter with a lid and shake, shake, shake my booty.
8. Keep the powder and throw out the chaff. You might want to wear a mask. This shit gets airborne and gives you chlorophyllic phlegm.
9. Mix it with your ethanol (PGA?) overnight with a stirrer going on low
10. Filter off the solid plant material and use only the liquid
11. Break out the still to get that mess concentrated.
12. Test against germs!
My thrilling saga of plant research will continue in another installment.
...this, of course, has all been an excuse to show you my still.