Oils vs tincture

[biguns]

I'm getting into oils and herbs, one thing that I'm still confused about is mixing the ingredients, say I get a recipe from the web where it has say, bay leaves or mandrake roots, what I'm confused about is how would the essence of the leaves or roots will mix in the oil? Isn't it better to do an extraction with methanol or alcohol?

[biguns]

Of course making a tincture will be fine, but oils are less volatile. What I'm trying to ask is if the oil will also extract part of the plant, after noticing that olive oil will corrode some plastics I wonder such a thing, after all doesn't ethanol also corrodes certain types of plastics?

[akimbomoss]

Why are you worried about plastics? If you wait for better equipment it will make the spell more important anyway. Could you be more specific? Ιολη7 knows about this stuff...

[biguns]

Oh damn I'm not communicating properly then, I used the plastic as an example of how both corrodes it, my thinking being that perhaps some carrier oil could extract organic essence like ethanol does. I've been searching around the web but I can't find the proper syntax query.

[Clockwork Ghost]

I've always used a Mortar and Pestle when mixing herbs for oils and tinctures. I have no idea if its the right way to do it, nor do I really care because I seldom follow a linear path, but I've had plenty of good luck using this method.

[ΙΟΛΗ7]

I'm getting into oils and herbs, one thing that I'm still confused about is mixing the ingredients, say I get a recipe from the web where it has say, bay leaves or mandrake roots, what I'm confused about is how would the essence of the leaves or roots will mix in the oil? Isn't it better to do an extraction with methanol or alcohol?

You are doing good.Working with natural products is a blessing.Cause you take the vibrations of mother Earth.A good way (for starters) to become one with the universe.Now...let's say that you need to make a mix of both the ingredients you mentioned...all you need is to take the root and the bay leaves and ad them in pure oil.Use a small dark jar for this kind of work.Let the root and the leaves for at least a weak in the jar in a dark and cool place.When the mix is ready you can remove the remainings and use the oil to anoint your altar or your candles or you can dress a piece of papyrus with it or whatever you need the oil for.
If the recipe asks you to use a mortar,then do so.In time you'll find out,that whatever you create with your own two hands,gets a different kind of power cause it's filled with your possitive energy and the love that you spend during the construstion.

Of course making a tincture will be fine, but oils are less volatile. What I'm trying to ask is if the oil will also extract part of the plant, after noticing that olive oil will corrode some plastics I wonder such a thing, after all doesn't ethanol also corrodes certain types of plastics?

Personally i use ethanol,just in the filters mix.Of course i need to use pure essential oils in this case.