How To Make Herbal Tincture

Have you been thinking of making herbal tincture at home for quite some time? Before going through the process of, let us have a very brief idea about what actually is a herbal tincture. Herbal tinctures are generally liquid herbs. They are used for medicinal as well as rejuvenation purposes, depending on the herb you choose. In fact, the best way to use herbal medicines is in the form of tinctures, which are sometimes referred as ‘extracts’ also. Of late, Tea Tree Oil is one tincture that has gained immense popularity. Making herbal tincture does not involve any elaborate process, so you can undertake it at home easily.

In order to make herbal tincture, all you need is alcohol, distilled water or apple cider vinegar, along with dried or fresh herbs. While making the herbal preparation, make sure not to use rubbing alcohol or wood alcohol. An example of an excellent alcohol that can be used to create herbal tinctures is 190-proof Everclear. In case you are planning to use the tincture for babies and children, it is better to use apple cider vinegar, instead of alcohol. This is because the tincture made of alcohol is usually stronger, as alcohol extracts more of the herb properties than vinegar. Let us know how to make herbal tincture.

Recipe For Making Herbal Tinctures

Ingredients

Alcohol/ Distilled Water/ Apple Cider Vinegar
200 gm Dried Herbs or 300 gm Fresh Herbs (of your choice)
Cheesecloth or Unused Cloth Diapers
2 Mason Jars
Brown Paper

Instructions

Start the procedure of making herbal tincture by placing the herbs in a mason jar.
Pour the tincture liquid (alcohol/distilled water/apple cider vinegar) over the herns. Make sure that the jar is filled enough that the liquid is at least an inch above the herbs.
Seal the Mason jar tightly, in order to protect the liquid from leaking and evaporating.
Cover the Mason jar with a dark colored towel and place it in a dark area. Let it remain there for two weeks. In the meantime, shake the jar twice a day.
Remove the Mason jar, containing tincture, from the storage after two weeks.
Cut a cheesecloth or diaper, enough to cover the mouth of the Mason jar and pour the liquid in another jar.
After the entire liquid has been poured in the new jar, take off the cloth from the first jar (used for straining).
Place the herbs over another large cloth and squeeze the remaining liquid into the tincture.
Everything said and done, seal and wrap the jar with a brown paper, to protect it from light.
Do not forget to label your tincture, once the entire process is over, to know what exactly you have.

Tip

For making the tincture, you can either use a single herb or the custom mixture of various herbs, based on your needs.
A tincture is generally good for two years. Hence, dating the label of the tincture is good for you, to have an idea about its expiry time.

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