Getting Started with Homemade Tinctures

Beginners guide to Tinctures

Tinctures are extracts of an herb or blend of herbs and are generally extracted with alcohol but you can sometimes find tincture referring to a glycerin or vinegar extract.  This article will focus on the alcohol extract.

Tinctures are a quick absorbing and very effective way to use herbal based medicines.  They are easy to give to your family since they only need a few drops under the tongue and they mix well with honey for a syrup or drop a dose into hot water to evaporate off the alcohol.  They are also generally more effective than other extractions or the whole herb and retain full effectiveness for many years.

Here are three recipes for tinctures that you can use to get started.

Overall Health & Wellness Tincture Recipe

This recipe uses several herbs that are in the adaptogen category, which means that they adapt to your bodies current needs.  They can boost your immune system, support your adrenals and basically support your overall health.

In a 28 ounce jar combine:

• ¼ cup dried elderberries
• 1/2 cup dried eleuthero root
• 1/2 cup dried burdock root
• 1/2 cup dried ashwagandha root

Fill the jar to the top with 80-100 proof vodka,

Place lid and shake the jar.

Keep it in a cupboard and shake the jar once a day for the first week and then just let it keep extracting for at least 6 weeks.  You can leave the herbs in for up to 1 year but after that they may break down considerably.  It doesn’t hurt the tincture, just makes it a bit mucky.

When you are ready to strain the herbs out you can use several layers of cheesecloth or any other fine strainer, like ones for tea or coffee.

The recommended dosage is about 6-12 drops using any of the three methods already mentioned. These measurements are by volume, not weight.

Stomach & Digestive Aid Tincture Recipe

This recipe uses herbs for calming and supporting your stomach and intestines.

In a 28 ounce jar combine:

• ¼ cup dried peppermint
• ¼ cup dried spearmint (or ½ cup of either mint)
• ¼ cup dried ginger root
• ¼ cup fennel seeds
• ¼ cup dried licorice root
• ½ cup dried chamomile

fill jar with 80-100 proof vodka

Close and shake the jar.

Shake jar once a day for one week and then let sit in a cupboard for 12 weeks before straining. These measurements are by volume, not weight.

The recommended dosage is about 3-6 drops.

Respiratory Congestion Aid Tincture

This recipe uses herbs that support lung health and help with respiratory congestion.

In a 28 ounce jar combine:

• ½ cup dried peppermint
• ½ cup dried mallow
• ¼ cup dried elecampane
• ¼ cup dried mullein
• 1 T dried oregano

Fill jar with 80-100 proof vodka.

Shake jar once a day for a week and then let sit for 6 weeks before straining. These measurements are by volume, not weight.

The recommended dosage is about 5-10 drops.

These remedies are not cures and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These are considered homeopathic remedies. Please consult a physician for any serious medical condition. If you are under the care of a physician, inform your doctor of any homeopathic remedies you may be taking to avoid complications.