A Practical Guide to Herbology Lesson Four: Tinctures
As our journey through herbology continues, I’d like to introduce you all to something that I depend on quite frequently to cure my general aches, pains and insomnia day-to-day: tinctures!
Tinctures are a concentrated liquid form of an herb that can last for several years and be taken as needed. Some tinctures can be taken internally, but some are for external use only. In general, they can help alleviate pain and common symptoms, from anxiety to muscle soreness, but they are by no means a substitute for a proper doctor or medical care. However, they can help make our day-to-day lives more manageable in between visits and check-ups.
All tinctures use alcohol (usually something neutral, like vodka) as the solvent, although there are some cultural and folklore-based exceptions to the rule. In short, they can be taken directly with a dropper or diluted in tea. They can also be crafted using a variety of fresh or dried flowers, leaves, barks and berries.
There are several ways to go about making a tincture, but I’m going to focus on the one that I grew up with in my tribe: the folk method. Here’s what you’ll need:
Alcohol (something neutral, like vodka or everclear)
Tinted glass dropper bottles (cobalt or amber works well)
How much plant material do I need?
Finely chop or grind clean plants
Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely
Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely
Fresh roots, barks and berries
Finely chop or grind clean plants
Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely
Dried roots, barks and berries
Use finely cut plant material
Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar, covering the plant material completely
Which alcohol percentage do I use?
40% to 50% (80 to 90 proof vodka)
This is the standard percentage range for tinctures
Good for most dried and fresh plant material
Extracts water-soluble properties well
67.5% to 70% (half 80-proof vodka mixed with half 190 proof grain alcohol)
Extracts the most volatile aromatic properties
Good for fresh high-moisture herbs like lemon balm, berries, and aromatic roots
Will draw out more of the plant juices
85% to 95% (190 proof grain alcohol)
Good for dissolving gums and resins, but not necessary for most plant material
Extracts aromatics and essential oils
Can produce a tincture that is hard to take (high alcohol content) and can potentially dehydrate the plant material
How long do I soak it for?
Store your tincture in a cool, dark and dry cabinet. Shake it several times a week and check your alcohol levels - you may need to top it up if it has evaporated and exposed the plant material. Exposed plant material can breed mold and bacteria into your tincture so do be sure to take care of it. Allow the tincture to soak for 6 to 8 weeks.
It’s important to note here that your tinted glass bottles need to be sterilized, otherwise they may introduce bacteria and/or encourage mold to grow. One way of sterilizing glass is to wash it thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Then, after rinsing and draining the bottle, place it on an oven rack at 120 Celsius for 10 to 15 minutes to dry.
Once it has finished soaking, it’s time to strain your tincture. Drape a damp cheesecloth over a funnel and have it pour into a tinted glass bottle. Pour the mixture over the cheesecloth slowly, allowing the tincture to drip into the bottle. Afterwards, squeeze the remaining liquid out of the herbs (or blend them and squeeze that) into the bottle.
After you strain and bottle your tincture, you’ll want to label it. This is how I label my tinctures:
The standard adult dose for a tincture is ½ to 1 teaspoon up to 3 times daily, as needed. Children usually take ¼ to ⅓ of that dose. For children, pregnant women, or those not wanting to consume alcohol, you can pour the tincture into a hot tea or cook it into water on the stove to help it evaporate.
Good for: sore throats and tonsils, sinus infections, common colds, flu
Dosage: ¼ tsp 1-3 times daily, as needed for adults // 2 drops, 1-3 times daily, as needed, for children
Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried echinacea root, lemon balm, horehound and sage.
Store in a cool and dark place, shaking daily for 6-8 weeks.
Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.
Good for: anxiety, pain, insomnia, digestion, menstrual cramps and headaches
Dosage: 1 tsp daily as needed for adults // a few drops for infants
Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried catnip, chamomile flowers, lavender blossoms and licorice root.
Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily for 6-8 weeks.
Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.
Good for: nausea, motion sickness, stomach aches, heartburn and indigestion
Dosage: 1 tsp a day, as needed for adults
Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried peppermint, ginger root and fennel seeds.
Store in a cool dark place and shake daily for 6-8 weeks.
Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.
Good for: asthma, whooping cough, laryngitis, bronchitis and common colds
Dosage: ¼ tsp daily for adults // 2 drops per day for children
Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried thyme, elderberries and echinacea.
Store in a cool and dark place, shaking daily for 6-8 weeks.
Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.
Good for: migraines, headaches, stress/tension headaches
Dosage: ¼ tsp daily for adults // 2 drops per day for children
Fill a jar ½ to ¾ of the way up with equal parts fresh or dried lemon balm and feverfew.
Store in a cool and dark place, shaking daily for 6-8 weeks.
Strain into a tinted glass jar using a funnel and cheesecloth.
All notes are compiled from my grimoire.
Warnings: All plant material should be sourced appropriately and responsibly for your own safety and well-being. Be certain that you are purchasing food-grade ingredients from a reliable retailer or supplier. Along these lines, not all dried herbs are meant for consumption so please be on the lookout for “external use only” labels - you do not want those products for this.
Do not source plant material from the wild without the help of an expert in the appropriate field - you do not know what types of chemicals, pesticides or pollutants that wild plants may have been exposed to. Similarly, there are a plethora of wild plants that look identical to each other: one may be safe while another may be poisonous or fatal.
Do your own research regarding medicinal plants and usage, especially if you are sensitive or have allergies of any kind. If you are on medication(s), consult a doctor before use.
Finally, tinctures are a health supplement and not a substitution for professional medical and psychiatric aid. If you are experiencing any prolonged health and/or mental health issues, SEE A DOCTOR.
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