Are the holidays already stressing you out? Don't panic! Just go to your herbal medicine cabinet and reach for your tinctures. What?!? You don't have any? Never fear ... we're here to help! Herbal tinctures are a staple in our herbal medicine cabinet, and an easy DIY project you can do at home. If you're unfamiliar with tinctures, you can think of them as the concentrated liquid form of herbs - lots of bang for your buck! (And if you want to make martinis with your lavender "tincture," we won't judge...)
By Dorene Petersen, Erika Yigzaw, and Lauren Shapiro
Before you get started, here's a little background on herbal tinctures to keep in mind:
You can tincture any part of the herb, including the roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds.
Tinctures extract an herb’s chemical constituents using alcohol, vinegar, or vegetable glycerin.
Alcohol is most effective and most commonly used, but vinegar can be used as a replacement, especially when making tinctures for kids.
The type of alcohol used will depend on the intended use of the herbal preparation. Any herbal preparation that will be used orally must use ethyl alcohol, the type found in vodka. Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) or methyl alcohol (wood alcohol) may be used for topical preparations only as these forms of alcohol are toxic if taken internally.
Vegetable glycerin can also be used but remember that it does not extract as many constituents as alcohol.
Tinctures can be stored for extended periods of time. Alcohol-based tinctures will last indefinitely, while tinctures made with apple cider vinegar can last for about six months.
Different botanicals require different alcohol concentrations to extract their active constituents. For example, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) only requires 60% alcohol for a tincture. If you have 90% alcohol, you can certainly use this, but to save money, you can dilute it 30% with distilled water and still be sure you are extracting the active constituents.
Alcohol that is above 75% alcohol content extracts the constituents more quickly.
Vodka, which is usually 40%, works just as well for herbs that require a lower concentration of alcohol. You can use it for herbs that require 50% alcohol, but you may want to leave it a little longer than two weeks.
In some states, you cannot purchase pure grain alcohol. If that applies to you, use vodka or similar. Some herbalists have prepared tinctures with white rum, brandy, or even sake!
Mix your herb with your alcohol or apple cider vinegar in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, such as a canning or preserving jar. Keep the tincture in a tightly-closed jar in a warm spot (but not in the sun), for approximately two weeks. Shake the tincture 2-3 times every day. After two weeks*, strain the tincture through pharmaceutical filter paper, a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or muslin. You may need to strain your tincture 2 or even 3 times to remove all of the herb solids. Leaving solids in your tincture may lead to mold and spoilage. Store your tincture in a dark bottle or cupboard.
Half a pint of tincture should equal the medicinal potency of 1 ounce of the fresh herb, so approximately 1 teaspoon will equal the medicinal strength of 1 cup of infusion. A typical recommended dose is small, approximately 20-40 drops three times a day, although this varies with each herb. Dilute the 20-40 drops in approximately ¼ cup of water to take.
See ... tinctures are easy to make and quick to use, which makes them an herbal medicine cabinet must have! Plus, for non-tea lovers, tinctures are a great alternative to get the medicinal benefit of herbs! AND, tinctures can be used topically in water for bathing wounds, soaking feet, in the bath, or as a household disinfectant!
Just one more thing to keep in mind ...
If you use fresh herbs to prepare a tincture, double the quantity of dried herbs so you are using 2 ounces for every 1 ounces of dried herb called for in your recipe. An alternative formula is to add one part herb to five parts of alcohol.
Want to learn more, but looking for less of a commitment? Watch this ACHStv YouTube video on infusions featuring ACHS President Dorene Petersen. An infusion is steeped like an herbal tea, but is stronger, and unlike a tincture, an infusion should be used immediately.
Questions? Further tips? Recipe suggestions? Feel free to post a comment. We'd love to hear from you!
*The consensus is that the minimum time to extract herbs into a tincture is two weeks, and the maximum time is three months. Extraction time also depends on the plant material and the percentage of alcohol needed. Most above ground plant parts only need about 40% alcohol and will extract very quickly. Tougher roots and rhizomes typically need a higher percentage of alcohol and longer time to extract.
Note, tinctures are fantastic, but they can't stop criminals in their tracks. And, this information has not been reviewed by the FDA. This information has been presented for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.
Written By: Lauren Torchia
Lauren Torchia is a writer, editor, and obsessive iPhotographer. She holds an MS in Writing from Portland State University and has more than 10 years’ experience writing and editing for commercial and creative enterprises. She currently serves as ACHS Dean of English and Communications Manager and is 200-hr yoga teacher certified from YoYoYogi in Portland, OR. Recent work has appeared in YOGANONYMOUS and Elephant Journal.
Place 250g of dry herbs or 500g of fresh herbs in the glass jar. Pour the grain alcohol into the glass jar, covering the plants well. Stir the mixture thoroughly and ensure that all the herbs are well submerged. Close the glass jar and let it rest for 7 to 10 days in a cool, airy place, protected from light.
Place 250g of dry herbs or 500g of fresh herbs in the glass jar. Pour the grain alcohol into the glass jar, covering the plants well. Stir the mixture thoroughly and ensure that all the herbs are well submerged. Close the glass jar and let it rest for 7 to 10 days in a cool, airy place, protected from light.
For dry herbs, use a 1:5 ratio (1 part herbs to 5 parts alcohol). For fresh herbs, the ratio is 1:2 because you need to take into consideration the amount of water in the plant matter. The instructions below are based on using dried plant matter and therefore the 1:5 ratio.
Don't leave your tincture too long as it may affect the final look. Longer steeping can make the final product bitter or produce precipitate (floaty sheen/bits). These are not harmful, but makes the tincture less satisfying.
If you are want to be extra careful and shake your tincture every day, but you are afraid that you will forget about it, place it in an area that you go every day. Be sure to top off with more alcohol if you see exposed plant matter. Let your tincture sit for a minimum of 2-6 weeks.
My teacher, the herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, recommends using unpasteurized apple cider vinegar for making tinctures, especially for tonic herbs, which are slow-acting regulating herbs that should be taken daily to improve the health of a system or to revitalize the entire body.
Alcohol is used most frequently as the liquid in a tincture, since it both extracts most of the desired constituents of the herbs, and works as a highly effective preservative for the finished tincture. The active ingredients in the herb, such as alkaloids, are better suited to being extracted from the herb in alcohol.
A: The best alcohol for tinctures is a high-proof alcohol that is of the highest quality. Popular alcohols for tinctures include gin, vodka, and brandy. For a high-proof, organic cane alcohol that's perfect for making tinctures, we recommend trying Diamond Clear.
How to Use a Tincture. There are many reasons to try tinctures, but one of the best benefits is how easy they are to use. Sublingual consumption is one of the best ways to use a tincture if you want stronger, faster effects. Put the dose under your tongue and hold it there for 1 minute before swallowing.
Keep tincture in a dark cabinet and shake daily for a minimum of 4 weeks. If you forget to shake it a day or two, do not worry. Frequent shaking = potent extracts.
Alcohol-based tinctures have an unlimited shelf life and do not require refrigeration if stored in a cool, dark location. Tinctures that are vegetable glycerine-based do not need to be refrigerated and can last from 3-5 years.
Coconut, MCT, or olive oil are the best oils for tinctures. Avoid alcohol-based tinctures (isopropyl alcohol, grain alcohol, etc.). Infusing cannabis into olive oil is great for adding to recipes. Infusing cannabis into coconut oil is great for applying to the skin.
This is a great time to put good energy into your herbal creation and visualize all the ways it's going to help you once it's finally ready. After 4-6 weeks have passed, you can then press out your tincture. Don't worry too much about the time, some folks wait as little as three weeks and some wait much longer.
For example, gin and vodka are both high-proof, and gin also contains juniper berries, which have their own herbal properties. If you're looking for a high-proof alcohol for your tinctures, we recommend trying Diamond Clear. It's a high-proof, organic, sugar cane alcohol that's perfect for making tinctures.
Potency. Depending on how much you want to ingest, tinctures and edibles have a hard time beating each other in terms of potency. In contrast to tinctures, which can include up to 1,000 milligrams of THC, edibles often have fewer total cannabinoids.
For your first week, a good rule of thumb is to start with the most basic dose of 0.25ml. Days 1-4: Take 0.25ml of your chosen tincture once in the morning and once at night. Days 5-7: Take 0.25ml in the morning. Take 0.50ml in the evening.
Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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