Halal OHN and reasons for different alcohol content ranges

I know that because of religious reasons, alcohol can be forbidden, but there is no way to tincture without an alcohol greater than 35%. Some folks have suggested using highly concentrated vinegar, but this does not operate the same way to extract the compounds you seek, nor does evaporating the alcohol before use, because the alcohol actually is necessary to deliver the compounds through the cell wall.

With this said, there may be a way to obtain and use denatured alcohol that is not fit for human consumption? I do not know the specific rules and guidelines for what is tolerable, only that the 35% or greater alcohol is a necessity for this solution.

To address your question specifically: The first alcohol (rice wine) is just to rehydrate dehydrated herbs. This can be avoided by using fresh herbs, assuming those can be obtained (it can be difficult for me). If fresh (wet) herbs are used, then just follow the KNF Food recipe by adding 1/3 the weight by sugar and fermenting for a few days before beginning the tincturing process.

You can not use less than 35% alcohol to create a tincture because it will not have enough chemical reaction to pull the compounds you want into solution. Here, we typically use 40% because that is what is commercially available, though technically it could be diluted slightly, so same goes if you can get a higher percentage, dilute it to 35% before tincturing.

Zulaikha,

40%/80 proof is the most common and not as expensive as a higher percentage. 100%/200 proof would cost more, probably not worth the price for a better extraction. You need at least 35-40% to properly tincture.

It’s worth the time and effort, OHN will keep in the fridge for a year. I mix them 1p each with 2p angelica root as I need it, otherwise each ingredient is independent sitting in the fridge.

-Jay

KNJFarms