Chamomile is one of my favorite herbs because of its delicate scent and great taste in teas. It is my absolute favorite herb for kids and I keep a tincture of chamomile on hand for any childhood aches and ailments.
Switching to a real food diet has eliminated our bouts with ear infections and stuffy noses (though chamomile helps with those too!) but some things, like teething pain, can’t be fixed with healthy food!
Chamomile Tincture
The type of chamomile I use in herbal tinctures is German chamomile, also known as Matricaria chamomilla, chamomilla recutita, or Matricaria recutita. Roman chamomile is also available, but it’s not used as often and has a different taste. The different chamomiles also have slightly different properties so I’m just going to focus on German chamomile here.
How to Use Chamomile
Chamomile is a naturally calming herbal remedy that relaxes nerves and reduces pain. Its been known to settle the stomach and reduce gas and colic in infants. I use it to soothe fussy babies, calm down upset toddlers, and on bruises.
Adults can use Chamomile as a sleep aid, to ease menstrual cramps, relieve headaches, for digestive health and soothe frayed nerves. It’s also great for the skin, especially eczema, and can even naturally lighten hair. Chamomile helps support the nervous system and may boost the immune system.
A small trial found that chamomile can help soothe the pain and stiffness from osteoarthritis. Much like turmeric, chamomile can help with inflammation. The liquid extract contains antioxidant flavanoids, like apigenin that help fight inflammation and improve sleep.
Chamomile tea is one of the most popular herbal teas, but sometimes it’s just faster to grab a tincture. A homemade chamomile tincture is incredibly easy to make and is my favorite baby gift for new parents. I take it to the hospital when I have a baby (mainly for me during labor!).
Homemade Chamomile Tincture
Ingredients
- 1 cup chamomile flowers
- 3-4 cups vodka or rum at least 80 proof
Instructions
- Pack the chamomile flowers into a clean quart-size glass jar. If preferred, you can run the entire mixture (alcohol and chamomile) through the blender first. This increases the surface area of the herb for better extraction.
- Fill the rest of the jar with vodka or rum (do not use rubbing alcohol or non-consumable alcohol!) and tightly cover with an airtight lid. If using fresh chamomile instead of dried, then use 190 proof alcohol.
- Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily for 2-4 weeks. This will make a strong tincture! Add more alcohol if necessary to make sure the chamomile stays covered during this process.
- After 2-4 weeks, remove from the cabinet, and pour through a cheesecloth or strainer. Store in a jar or in dropper bottles for easy use.
Notes
Alcohol-free Chamomile Extract
Not everyone wants a chamomile herbal extract made with alcohol. Herbal glycerites use vegetable glycerin instead and are another option. While I feel safe giving chamomile tinctures even to my babies and little ones, here’s how to make a glycerite if you want that option.
Chamomile Tincture Dosing
- Infants: only a few drops are needed. Often it can be rubbed on the gums or stomach for teething or colic pain.
- Toddlers and older children: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon can be taken 1-3 times a day while needed. It’s especially useful for babies and young children who are having difficulty sleeping. A dose right before bedtime can help relax and soothe them for a more peaceful sleep.
- Adults: up to 1 teaspoon, 1-3 times a day as needed.
Any herb can be preserved with this method, and often this is the most cost-effective way to use herbs. I grow a lot of my own herbs, but I’ll get organic chamomile or other herbs from here if it’s not in my garden.
Chamomile Tincture Variations
Sometimes I’ll tincture a single herb, but having some blends on hand is also nice. Chamomile also blends well with catnip, lemon balm, peppermint, or fennel. Catnip and lemon balm are both calming nervines. Peppermint and fennel help soothe digestive upsets.
Another tincture I keep on hand is my homemade Herbal Digestive Remedy Tincture. This one uses both peppermint and fennel, but you could add some chamomile too. The nice thing about homemade herbal supplements is I can customize them to my exact needs!
This article was medically reviewed by Jessica Meyers, MPAP, PA-C, RH(AHG), who specializes in herbal protocols and functional medicine. You can also find Jessica on Instagram. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
What homemade tinctures do you make? Share below!
For baby’s with colic, you just rub some on the tummy’s, and to help baby’s with teething.. you just rub it on there gums?
Yep…. You can give a few drops diluted in the mouth too
I’m a new mama with all of this. My baby already has two bottom teeth at 11 weeks and appears to be getting more. Can I order an already made tincture online? Is there a website you recommend? I found an organic tincture on etsy. Also – Can you dilute it in breast milk?
You can order pre-made and diluting is a great idea…
Is there anywhere you know of where you can buy pre made tincture?
Could I use vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol to make the tincture for use for teething? I’m not comfortable giving alcohol to my baby.
I would like to use this for my son, but I don’t feel comfortable with using alcohol.. is there anything else I can use?
Oh and he is a 4 mo old
You can make a glycerine tincture, there are a lot of recipes online just google. You can also just let the alcohol completely evaporate before using…
How do you let the alcohol evaporate? How would you know it’s completely gone?
I have a teething 9 month old – how would I go about using this on him without the affects of alcohol?
Just out a dropperful of the tincture in an ounce or so of water in a wide mouth cup and let evaporate for 15 minutes before using
I love your site! I noticed your sleep tincture is recommended only for children 2 and older, while this one is safe for infants. Is there a reason for that? I’m looking for a calming tincture for my 2 month old.
For little ones, chamomile alone is plenty to relax them 🙂
Thanks! I just ordered the chamomile from Mountain Rose Herbs.
hi wellness mama. i have tinctured licorice root with dandelion flowers from my yard using roots and stalks– its great for too-much-coffee anxiety and irritability. Im going to tincture 2 cups of German Chamomile now cos the tea i drink doesnt travel as well. Thx i will follow your instructions! IS it Ok if there is air and space at top of the jar?
blessings to you,
If I may, I’d like to add something here. I’ve recently begun to study Alchemy and this is what I’ve learned.
The alcohol is an essential part of the tincture because it is an ingredient to give life back to the dead plant and transform it into something more than it was. And it’s funny that I use the word ‘essential’ because that’s exactly as it is, an essence. The alcohol should be the purest possible, unflavored vodka or Everclear in highest proof you can acquire. Pure grape alcohol is rare to find, but is the absolute best quality.
As for removing the alcohol, well, again, the alcohol is an essence in the tincture, if you remove it, it’s not the same. As has been mentioned, it can easily be diluted. Still, keep in mind, you’re only using drops at a time.
Remember that Tinctures come from a time in history when alcohol was seen the spirit of a plant, not a party beverage. Every alcohol we have today, consumable or not, was found by fermenting plant materials with was seen as a way to release the volatile spirits within the plant and these spirits were used in healing and rituals. It just turns out that over time some people learned of the extreme effects these spirits had over the human body after consuming large quantities.
I appreciate this wonderful information that you give. I never had thought about the alcohol being the spirit of the plant it was made from. It made me wonder if tinctures could also be made using Apple Cider Vinegar (or other vinegar) since it is made similarly to alcohol.
So, just because my husband is going to ask, do you give this to kids with the alcohol still in it (don’t many OTC drugs have alcohol in them too?)?
You can as it is a very small amount, or you can put it in an ounce of water and wait 15 minutes… the alcohol will evaporate.
Thanks!
I’m sorry but the alcohol does NOT evaporate
Alcohol DOES in fact evaporate in warm water. The amount of alcohol is so small, it doesn’t take long to evaporate. It’s perfectly safe to give to children, cause its such a small amount. Alcohol, such as vodka, is just a fermented grain.
And to answer someone else’s question, yes, store bought or pharmacy given medicines do have alcohol in them, such as cough syrup.
Many Blessings to everyone~
Yes, of course alcohol will evaporate! Especially in hot water. 15 minutes might not allow all the alcohol to evaporate completely, but a portion will. When I was teething my mother rubbed rum on my gums. I know dozens of mothers who still do this to help their teething kids. A very small amount of alcohol won’t hurt unless there are allergies or other medications being taken. The amount would be so small in this case that it wouldn’t even be measurable. You would get more alcohol from fruit that has turned and fermented.
I absolutely love the recipes here from WellnessMama, I used much of what I learned here & elsewhere to make many of my tinctures, infusions, & other great products. I do have to disagree with using any alcohol based tincture for any children as the effect of the alcohol is the main ingredient giving the child the sedative effect & not the herb. I am not going to say if its right or wrong b/c the parent ultimately makes that decision but I will say that is technically illegal & a parent can be charged with endangerment of a minor. I do not think its wrong but I wouldn’t introduce these toxins to my child & it is very detrimental to even adult gums.
hey how much do you give infant for gas pain or agitation?
a couple of drops usually helps a lot, and I don’t ever give more than about 1/4 tsp. Rubbing it externally on the stomach and feet helps a lot too if you’d prefer not to give internally.
a couple of drops usually helps a lot, and I don’t ever give more than about 1/4 tsp. Rubbing it externally on the stomach and feet helps a lot too if you’d prefer not to give internally.
Check out this awesome book if you are interested in herbs and kiddos.
It is an awesome book. So useful.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570672148/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=abdbde429b43abc12b50ab19e830343a&language=en_US
How are the properties of a tincture or extract different than those of an essential oil? I use a lot of essential oils in my homemade beauty/cleaning/healing products, but I’ve always wondered about extracts and tinctures.
Essential Oils are much more concentrated and for health and beauty
products are great. Chamomile in particular though, is incredibly
expensive as an essential oil, and many of the health benefits can be
gotten from a tincture. A tincture is stronger than a tea or
decoction, but not as strong as the essential oil. For internal use,
teas and tinctures are almost always better though, because unless
there is a serious problem that warrants very high doses of a certain
oil, they are often too potent for much internal use. For cleaning
though, things like lemon or lavender essential oil are more
concentrated and are even naturally disinfectant.
how does the vodka/rum change over time? i refrain from alcohol, but if it makes it non-alcoholic, then this sounds amazing… thoughts?
It is the alcohol that actually preserves the herbs, but if you don’t
want to drink the alcohol, just put the amount of tincture you are
taking in a glass of water and let it sit on the counter for about 15
minutes before drinking it. This will let the alcohol evaporate so
you don’t actually consume even a small amount.
if i wanted to give just a couple drops directly on the gums of teething infant is there a way to evaporate the alcohol before doing so?
Where are you getting the idea that just letting alcohol sit out for a few minutes will cause it to evaporate? According to the FDA (not an organization I’d normally trust, but I’m with them on this one) not even stewing it for hours will cause the alcohol to evaporate completely.
Thank you for clarifying this. It’s crazy to imagine that alcohol would evaporate in 15 minutes. Otherwise, all those margaritas would have to be consumed in 15 minutes or you’d waste your money on a mixed drink.
It apparently does evaporate. I was told by a herbal company that sells herbs & makes tinctures that you can put the tincture you need into a bit of hot water, then let it sit a few minutes to cool so the alcohol evaporates off, making it just fine for even my dog & they use a stronger alcohol than vodka.
You can also use glycerin as a preservative. Mountain Rose Herbs sells glycerin for herbal medicines. Glycerites are particularly nice to use with kids, since it makes the medicine taste sweet. But glycerites don’t last as long (two years as opposed to five or so).
Hi Katie,
I made your herbal kids tincture for kids last year in April 2014 and have had it in the jar since then. I am ready…finally… to strain the herbs and put in a dropper bottle but am not sure if it’s still effective or good since I stopped shaking it daily a while ago. It has been stored in a dark dry place though so please tell me if your recipe is still good to use for my 3 year old and family.
Ingredients: chamomile flowers, yarrow flowers, peppermint leaf, catnip herb, and vodka.
Thanks and LOVE your recipes and website.
Kristin
I like to use Vegetable Glycerin and Water in place of alcohol when making Tinctures. You can do this by mixing your tincture same as above but instead of alcohol you use vegetable Glycerin. I then put in mason jar (lid sealed tight) and put in Slow cooker for at least 4 hours up to 8 hours. Strain and store back in clean jar. This method makes the mixture more enjoyable to take since it has a sweet flavor. Nice for children and adults!
Probably a silly question, but do you put the sealed jar in water in your crockpot?
Do you still have to store it for 4 to 6 weeks
Hello, I realize that this is an old post, but if others end up needing an answer to this question in the future, I hope this helps.
If you want to create a non-alcoholic tincture, then you can simply replace the alcohol with Apple Cider Vinegar. I have learned this from Rosemary Gladstar’s book, “Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide” https://www.amazon.com/Rosemary-Gladstars-Medicinal-Herbs-Beginners/dp/1612120059/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=wellnessmama-20&linkId=87bb1331cc56cfe334dabd5ae71cef28&language=en_US.
All you do is pour the ACV over the herbs and “cover them by 2-3 inches, and then seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid.” Then, “Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot, and let the herbs soak (macerate) for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking daily.”
This vinegar-based tincture will keep for at least 1 year.
Do you add water to it like you would with the alcohol tincture?