We all know tinctures, even though we are not aware of it. Remember the Lennon’s drops we were all doctored with as kids? That is a tincture!
Essentially, herbs are placed in (usually) alcohol, and the medicinal properties of the herb are infused into the alcohol over a period of time. The drops are then used diluted in water for medicinal purposes.
To make a tincture, you will need:
- A clean glass jar with lid
- Consumable alcohol like vodka or rum- at least 40% alcohol per volume (or apple cider vinegar or food grade vegetable glycerine)
- Herbs of choice – please ensure that the herbs are clean, and most importantly, edible! If you are not sure that the “herb” you have is actually a herb, DON’T use it. Better safe than sorry.
How to Make a Tincture
Also called an extract, alcohol tinctures are the most common type and the easiest to make.
First, pick which herbs you plan to use.
Fill the jar halfway with loosely packed dried herbs.
Pour boiling water to just moisten the herbs. (This step is not absolutely necessary, but helps to draw out the beneficial properties of the herbs)
Fill the jar with your alcohol and put the lid on. Store in a cool, dry place, shaking two or three times a day, for a minimum of three weeks. Strain the herbs out through a clean tea towel or something similar.
Store the tincture in a coloured (not clear!) bottle. The dropper bottles work well, as you only use a few drops at a time.
NOTE: You can use apple cider vinegar or glycerine to do this, but it won’t be as strong, and the shelf life is much shorter – around three months if stored in the fridge. Also, you have to be very careful with the glycerine based tincture, as it can go bad very easily.
How to Use Herbal Tinctures
Adults can take ½ to one teaspoon up to three times a day, kids can be given a quarter to a third of the adult dose.
For those who don’t want to, (or can’t) consume alcohol such as children, or pregnant women, the tincture can be poured into a hot liquid like tea to evaporate the alcohol before taking.