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How to Make Herbal Tinctures

February 26, 2013 by Katie Wells
How to Make Herbal Tinctures
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Tincture Making Supplies
  • How to Make a Tincture
  • How to Use Herbal Tinctures

I have several tincture recipes posted (including my two favorites: Chamomile Tincture and Digestion Tincture) but I realized that a post with general instructions on how to make a tincture from any herbs would be helpful.

A tincture is a concentrated liquid form of an herb that is easy to make and easy to take. Tinctures preserve and concentrate the properties of the herb, making them more effective and longer lasting.

Alcohol based tinctures have a shelf life of several years and are easy to use when needed! I keep several tinctures on hand for my kids, as they can be used externally even on small children for relief from common problems.

If you’ve ever bought tinctures from the store, I’d encourage you to try making your own, as they are very inexpensive and can be made in minutes.

Tincture Making Supplies

I make most tinctures in an alcohol base as this makes them the most long lasting, but tinctures can also be made with glycerine, vinegar or even with honey to make a syrup!

To make a tincture, you will need the following supplies:

  • A clean glass jar (at least pint size) with lid
  • Consumable alcohol like vodka or rum- at least 80 proof (or apple cider vinegar or food grade vegetable glycerine)
  • Herbs of choice (I typically grow my own)

How to Make a Tincture

Also called an extract (in fact, the same process is used to make real vanilla extract), alcohol tinctures are the most common type and the easiest to make.

First, pick which herbs you plan to use. These are some of my favorite tinctures:

  • Chamomile Tincture (great for kids, promotes restful sleep and good for skin)
  • Digestion Tincture (helps with nausea, heartburn, etc)
  • Sweet Dreams Tincture (I use to help little ones who are having trouble sleeping)
  • Echinacea Tincture (great immune support when fighting a cold)

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 alcohol and stir with a clean spoon.

Put the lid on the jar. Store the jar in a cool/dry place, shaking daily, for at least three weeks and up to six months. (I usually leave herbs for six weeks)

Strain through cheesecloth and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in colored dropper bottles or clean glass jars.

NOTE: The alcohol can be evaporated before use (see below) or a tincture can be made in the same way using apple cider vinegar, though it will need to be stored in the fridge and will only last 3-6 months.

 

How to Use Herbal Tinctures

The standard adult dose we take is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day as needed. Kids usually get 1/4 to 1/3 of the adult dose.

For children, pregnant women, or those not wanting to consume alcohol, it can be poured into a hot liquid like tea to evaporate the alcohol before consuming.

Ever made your own herbal tinctures? What is your favorite? Share below!

Herbal tinctures made from dried herbs are a great way to preserve and concentrate the benefits of the herbs. They are inexpensive to make and last for years!

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Category: Natural Remedies

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (148 Comments)

  1. Courtney

    October 23, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    you use several different recipes for making tinctures, is there one better than other or does it depend on the herbs using? Does it matter if you use water or not?

    Reply
    • Lisa

      August 9, 2019 at 12:17 PM

      I read you should not add water as it can create mold.

      Reply
  2. Mary

    June 16, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    Wow, very impressive post. For the most part, I think tinctures are far more effective than teas or straight herbs.

    As well, I think your suggested tinctures would make great
    curations for various herbal martinis. Thank you so much for the fabulous info and
    research.

    Reply
  3. Charmaine Taylor

    May 11, 2013 at 1:48 PM

    I made this with glycerin last year and used it frequently on my daughter’s sore gums. She would have used it from 9 months until about 18 months when she apparently had some decay in her incisors. Granted her diet was not as clean as it is now. But I love to hear some of your research about glycerin since its a questionable additive to products for most people. At the time of making it I was concerned about alcohol, even with evaporating it off since many culinary people say you can’t evaporate all of it off. So that’s why I bought the glycerin. Anyway, Thaks for reading and everything you do!

    Reply
  4. Vanya

    May 9, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    I’ve been looking into tinctures for a while, but was hesitant because of the alcohol. I never thought of evaporating it! So my question is, if I do evaporate it in hot tea, how long should I wait before it’s all evaporated? I suppose the hotter the tea, the less time it takes?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      May 10, 2013 at 1:53 PM

      I’ve heard that 10 minutes is plenty…

      Reply
  5. Peter Geekie

    May 5, 2013 at 12:30 PM

    Excellent article and very useful
    kind regards Peter

    Reply
    • Vanessa

      January 28, 2016 at 2:14 PM

      Does the boiling water need to be dispossed before adding the vodka? About how much water should be used? Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
  6. Nicole Bliss

    April 23, 2013 at 5:12 PM

    Do you have suggested herbal combinations?

    Reply
    • Kristin West

      July 21, 2015 at 5:09 PM

      I am currently making a tincture that will combat anxiety, stress, depression, and minor pain. Among many many other benefits, if you research each herb. I am including:

      Rhodiola rosea
      Ashwagandha
      Bacopa monnieri
      Blue lotus
      Phellodendron
      Passionflower

      Reply
      • Hélène

        July 22, 2015 at 7:55 PM

        st johns wort is rly great too at nite. effects last into the day to keep me calm and not anxious.
        magnolia with the phellodendron is what Relora is made out of…great stuff.
        i also take scullcap
        catnip and valerian in the formula i buy.
        i have extreme insomnia. i take GABA and l-theanine too and magnesium at nite.
        Rxs dont work or i would take them. so take dont take everything i do LOL
        just sum other suggestions for sleepytime 🙂

        Reply
      • Piotr

        August 13, 2015 at 7:23 PM

        Hello, thanks for the article. I was thinking recently about having a Bacopa tincture, but I’m not sure and couldn’t find an info about that if active substances in this herb dissolve in water, alcohol or fat (I really doubt the last one). Do you have any idea? If so, please, let me know (with the source please 🙂 If in water than what a sense does making a tincture make?

        Best regards 🙂

        Reply
      • Krystal

        September 22, 2015 at 9:59 AM

        Where do you order all of these herbs? Tia

        Reply
        • Wellness Mama

          September 22, 2015 at 12:07 PM

          I purchase them here: https://wellnessmama.com/go/mountain-rose-herbs/

          Reply
          • victoria

            May 24, 2016 at 8:53 AM

            I just ordered from there to make your multi vitamin tincture. Very reasonable so I ordered some Hibiscus also. I am also growing Stevia plants to make the tincture. I want to use alcohol because you say it is stronger, which means I will use less but I am worried about the evaporation process. I can’t have alcohol.

      • Jacqueline west

        October 21, 2019 at 1:55 AM

        Interesting how are you liking it

        Reply
  7. Lumiere

    April 5, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Thank you for great info. I am trying to make this. How long can I store Glycerine tinctures?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      April 6, 2013 at 11:01 AM

      At least a year from what I’ve read

      Reply
  8. Allana

    March 3, 2013 at 8:43 PM

    This is Awesome! Thank you so much for sharing… I didn’t know much about this before reading your article. I must say I am pleasantly surprised and excited to exchange my currently methods for these.

    Reply
  9. Mardi

    March 3, 2013 at 9:32 AM

    I want to make a tincture from dried hawthorn berries. Do you think I can tincture the berries whole or do I need to crush them first? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      March 3, 2013 at 5:12 PM

      I haven’t tried, but I’d probably crush them if I was going to make it…

      Reply
    • Michelle K

      February 10, 2016 at 9:51 AM

      I always grind mine in a coffee grinder.

      Reply
  10. Andea

    February 28, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    Great info! Thank you for such clear & simple instructions.
    🙂 Andrea

    Reply
    • Colette

      September 19, 2015 at 12:23 AM

      I’m drying my CA poppies for the veg glycerin tincture. Parts used? Leaves n flowers? Roots? All the aerial parts, inç stems?
      When storing, does the jar need to b sealed or just closed right?

      Reply
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