First, tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of herbs. Most tinctures are made using alcohol; however, you can also use glycerin or apple cider as the menstruum (solvent that extracts the medicinal qualities from the herb). You can buy tinctures at most health food stores or online. If you would like to make a tincture yourself, it is very easy and it can save you quite a bit of money, especially if you wild harvest the herb instead of buying it.
I prefer to make tinctures from fresh herbs but dry herbs work too. I have many books on medicine making, but found “Making Plant Medicine” by Richo Cech to be my go-to-book.
Here’s how to make a fresh plant tincture:
- Harvest leaves and flowers during the early flowering stage and remove stem. It is important to remember when harvesting any plant it is essential to harness the herb’s most productive energy during the harvest process. Roots are best harvested while all the vital energy is most concentrated within them. This is before the plant’s stems and flowers are developed, so harvest early spring or late fall. I like to collect the aerial parts while the vital energy is rising; so they are actively growing but before they go to seed.
- Chop up plant/root to break down the cell wall; this will help expose more of the plant to the menstruum, allowing it to extract more medicinal qualities.
- Place herbs in a clean, dry glass jar. Fill ¾ of the jar loosely, but do not pack herbs too tightly.
- Fill jar with 100 proof vodka; make sure all herbs are completely submersed.
- Cover with tight fitting lid.
- Shake; the more the better.
- Label the jar with the name of the plant, menstruum, harvest location, and date.
- Mark your calendar, noting that the tincture will be ready in 6 weeks.
- Put in a dry place that gets full sun. I put all my tinctures on a windowsill that gets southern exposure on the 2nd floor of my house.
- Shake every day with ♥love and intention.
- After 6 weeks, strain out herbs through stainless steel strainer lined with cheesecloth or muslin.
- Rebottle and label.
- Your tincture is now ready!
- It should last for about 7 years if stored out of sunlight and in a cool location. Amber bottles work well to protect the quality of the tincture from sunlight.
There are many ways to make tinctures. This is just one way. I have tried many methods, learned from many herbalists, and read a great deal and this method resonates with me and gives wonderful results. Some herbalists let their tinctures sit in the dark, or control the heat, sit for 2 weeks, a lunar phase…there are so many options. This is just one way, my way; and it just simply makes sense to me. Feel free to experiment.
When you collect any herbs, please keep in mind:
- Be sure you have made a definite identification, so use a field guide.
- Harvest it in a respectful way: leave some. Please do not over harvest. Make sure there will be a healthy crop for the future.
- Harvest away from traffic and areas where chemicals have not been sprayed or animals relieve themselves.
- If you are unsure, it is best to move on and not harvest in that area.
All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
