[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.

Dokudami gives off a very strong smell when you touch it, but that smell has strong antibacterial, sterilizing, and detoxifying effects. Therefore, it is said that it is effective in preventing acne, pimples, rough skin, atopic dermatitis, spots, etc. Also, if you have a really stuffy nose, rub it in with salt, roll it up, and stuff it into your nose.

If you have sinusitis, please try this.

Dokudami is such a plant, but there is a very special item that can be made only during this season! That is the "dokudami tincture" introduced here.

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!