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This is the time of year when I make a variety of different tinctures to preserve herbs for long-term use. I typically make traditional alcohol based tinctures, because they concentrate and preserve the herbs for years, but glycerin tincture are an alcohol-free option for children or those who can’t tolerate alcohol.
What is a Glycerite?
In general, a tincture is a concentrated liquid preservation of an herb or medicinal substance that preserves the herb for a long period of time and makes it easier to consume. Tinctures are one of the simplest natural remedies to make and are an in-expensive way to preserve herbs.
A glycerite or glycerin based tincture is a liquid herbal preparation that uses vegetable glycerin as the main method of extraction. Whereas traditional tinctures use alcohol as the solvent, glycerites rely on glycerin as the main (or only solvent).
Glycerin is considered a weaker solvent than alcohol, or even water, so these are not the most potent tinctures available, but they do provide an alcohol-free alternative and may be more suitable for children.
It is important to note that glycerin tinctures are absorbed more slowly that alcohol based tinctures because alcohol has quick access to the liver and the properties of these tinctures are more rapidly absorbed. Glycerin tinctures are absorbed by the gluconogenic pathway in the liver, which is about 30% slower, but which does not affect blood sugar as much.
How to Make a Glycerite
Needed supplies:
- A pint size or larger glass jar
- Boiling water
- Food Grade Vegetable Glycerine
- Dried Herbs of Choice
What to do:
Fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs. Filling half full will make a stronger tincture. Do not pack down.
Pour boiling water to just dampen all of the herbs. (This step is optional but helps to draw out the beneficial properties of the herbs)
Fill the rest of the jar (or the entire jar if not using hot water too) with glycerine and stir with a clean spoon. NOTE: Glycerine should make up more than half of the mixture to adequately preserve the tincture.
Put the lid on the jar. Leave 6-8 weeks in the jar, shaking occasionally. Strain herbs out of tincture and store in a cool, dry, place.
Optional Heat Step:
Place a wash cloth or silicon baking mat (to keep jar from breaking) in the bottom of a crock pot with a “keep warm” or very low setting. Fill the crock pot up with water to cover 3/4 of the jar (don’t cover the lid!) and turn on the lowest setting.
Keep in slow-cooker/crock pot for at least 1 day on this setting, adding water as needed (I’ve done up to two days).
Let cool, strain and use as a regular tincture.
Note: Glycerine tinctures are sweeter than others.
Types of Glycerine Tinctures
Any type of tincture can be made as a Glycerite, though some work better than others. Since Glycerin is not as strong of an extraction method, it is not recommended for bark, roots and other hard parts of a plant and are more beneficial for flowers and leaves. These basic tinctures can be adapted to be glycerin tinctures:
Ever made a tincture? What kind did you make?
Glazed Pears Recipe
Is it possible to use alcohol with glycerin to create a tincture for skin care, not to ingest?
Hello,
I’m just curious as to why you recommended a vegetable glycerin that is not organic? Does it make much of a difference?
I made a glycerin tincture with comfrey leaves and after two months of macerating, ended up with a VERY THICK gooey mess that won’t strain. I mixed some of it with alcohol (about 1:1) to thin it out so I could strain it (which of course messes up why I used glycerin in the first place). And it is so SLIPPERY that, under pressure, the cheesecloth bag keeps slipping to one side under the pressing disk. The resulting tincture is still very thick and sticky (think honey or molassas). Can I mix the rest of the VERY THICK gooey mess with water instead of alcohol? Or will it not be properly preserved? I’m thinking I just need to stick with the alcohol. My alcohol comfrey tincture pressed beautifully.
i am learning about tinctures. what is not clear to me is if glycerine based tinctures made with the crock pot method still have to sit 6-8 weeks before use. It sounds like they can be used immediately after 2 days in crock pot and straining. Is that it?
Thanks
Earlynn
Hi! Thank you for this post. How do I make the tincture not so thick with glycerol? Is adding water a common option- after the tincture has been made? The thickness is hard to stomach.
Glycerin tinctures are supposed to have a percentage of water in them. Although she says to dampen them with water, the proper ratio is atleast 60% glycerin to 40% water. I do 70% glycerin and 30% water to make sure they preserve as long as I like.
With alcohol, I do 60-65% to 40-45% water. You don’t need to add water only if using fresh plants that naturally have water in them. You can still do the boiling water method, just make sure you’re adding atleast 25% water to the amount of glycerin you add.
I’ve also always had great success with glycerites personally… they work just as well for me as the alcohol tinctures. I’ve never found them to be too thick, although I know some do add alcohol to some glycerites.
Can one add powdered kaffer to the tincture like a week or two after starting it in a dark place? Will it hurt it? Is ksffir just for taste or does it heal to
Do you put the cover on the crock pot with the jar of glycerite inside? Thank you.
Yes.