Originally Posted by Aunt Bean

Ask what you need to....happy someone is interested enough to grow favas and make tincture. I break them up..removing all but the tiniest leaves and removing the stem...using only the unopenned flower head that is still tightly formed and draws aphiods and ants, etc (must be pretty sweet stuff in comparison to the rest of the plant) I dehydrate the top for several hours/ then put them in a jar. Add just enought brandy to cover close tightly and shake well. Check in a few hours to see if you need to add more brandy..Sometimes the plant material absorbs alot. Each stem makes it's own TOP, some at only a couple of inches tall...I usually pick once a week after the first ones are harvested and new stems begin to grow. Shake this mixture daily (or up to 3 times a day) for at least 2 weeks