[Time at home] Let's make "Dokudami (chameleon plant) Tincture" that can be used for various things!

"Dokudami (chameleon plant / fish mint)" grows all over the city and in the garden of the house. Depending on the person, the persistently growing dokudami may be a nuisance to some people, but for me, it is like a treasure. It grows everywhere in Japan, so many people must have seen it before. Dokudami tea, which has a unique aroma, is well known.

In fact, this dokudami is also called “ten medicines” because it has ten effects. It is commonly used as food in Southeast Asia. I ate Dokudami for the first time when I traveled to Thailand, but it was unexpectedly delicious.

ドクダミにはカラダに良い効能がいっぱい！

ドクダミは触ると、かなりどくどくなキツイ匂いがするのですが、その匂いには強力な抗菌・殺菌・解毒作用があるんです。そのためニキビ・吹き出物・肌荒れ・アトピー・シミなどの防止に効果があると言われています。

Anti-inflammatory properties

ドクダミには抗炎症作用があり、皮膚の炎症や腫れを和らげるために利用されます。特に、ドクダミの葉をすり潰して湿布として使用することで効果が期待できます。

Antibacterial properties

ドクダミは抗菌作用も持ち、特定の細菌やウイルスに対して効果を発揮します。伝統的には、風邪や喉の痛みを和らげるためにドクダミ茶が飲まれてきました。

Diuretic effect

ドクダミは利尿作用があるため、体内の余分な水分を排出し、むくみの解消に役立ちます。また、デトックス効果も期待できます。

デトックス効果: ドクダミは体内の毒素を排出する効果があり、デトックス目的で利用されることが多いです。特に、ドクダミ茶は体内の老廃物を排出するのに役立ちます。

Skin beautifying effect

ドクダミには抗酸化作用があり、肌の老化を防ぐ効果があります。また、肌荒れやニキビの改善にも役立つとされています。

Improved digestion

ドクダミは消化を促進する効果があり、消化不良や胃腸のトラブルを改善するのに役立ちます。

Immunity booster

ドクダミは免疫力を高める効果もあり、風邪やインフルエンザなどの感染症から身を守るのに役立ちます。

たくさんの効能があるドクダミですが、今の時期だけつくることのできるとっておきのアイテムがあります！それが今回ご紹介する「ドクダミチンキ」です。

What is Dokudami Tincture?

Dokudami tincture is made by soaking dokudami in an alcoholic solution and extracting the active ingredients. This tincture can only be made from the end of May to June, before the onset of the rainy season. This is the exact time when the white flowers of dokudami bloom. The reason for this timing is that the medicinal effects are strongest when collected during the flowering period. And once made, it can be stored for a long time (one to two years at room temperature).

The tinctures are used in a wide variety of ways, including skin care, body care, oral medicine, and anti-itch.

When the dokudami flowers bloom, I feel that the rainy season is coming soon.

*A tincture is a herb soaked in alcohol to extract the active ingredients.

Let's collect Dokudami first!

In order to make dokudami tincture, let's first collect dokudami. It's perfect if it's blooming in the garden, but it may be covered with dog urine, so if it's not blooming, it's recommended to collect it in the cleanest possible place.

You can make two types of Dokudami tincture, a leaf tincture and a flower tincture, but this time I would like to make a flower tincture.

Like this, I will pick only the flower part. The amount varies, but about 80% of the prepared bottle is a guideline.

Start making Dokudami tincture!

After harvesting, wash well and dry. Once dried, put the picked flowers in the prepared storage jar. At this point, sterilize the storage jar with boiling water.

After adding the flowers, add vodka until the flowers are submerged for about 9 minutes. I used this vodka this time.

<Things to prepare>
・Dokudami flower
・Vodka or white liquor for fruit wine (more than 35 degrees of alcohol because it also serves as a preservative)

Put the lid on and lightly shake it up and down 3-4 times. Dokudami Tincture is ready! So easy, right?

Shake the bottle every day for the first three days to ensure that the liquor is well absorbed. After that, store it in a cool and dark place (room temperature) for 1 to 3 months, remove the flowers, and it's done.

How to use

<Anti-itch & insect repellent spray>

If you apply the undiluted solution of Dokudami tincture to a mosquito bite, it will sterilize the affected area and reduce inflammation. You can also put it in a spray bottle and use it as an insect repellent!

<Mouthwash>
If you have a sore throat, drop a few drops of Dokudami tincture to sterilize your throat, or drop it in water and use it as a gargle.

<Remove swollen feet>
It has the effect of improving blood circulation, so if you fill a bucket with hot water and add about 10mm of undiluted solution, it will quickly turn into a footbath.

<Bath salt>
It has the effect of warming the body and removing inflammation, so it can be used as a bath salt when you are tired. Put the desired amount in the bathtub and use.

<Toner>
Dilute the tincture with purified water, add glycerin to your liking, and the lotion is complete! It also has a whitening effect, so it is highly recommended.

Don't forget to do a patch test before applying it to your skin!