Herbal tinctures consist of a liquid made from various herbs. These herbs sit in one of two solutions — vinegar or alcohol. Some people use vodka or brandy to create herbal tinctures that are naturally beneficial in various ways. If you’d like to make herbal tinctures at home, you are in the right spot.
Continue reading to learn more about what you’ll need and what steps you should take to create these fantastic concentrated liquid herbs.
What is an Herbal Tincture?
An herbal tincture is simply a concentrated extract of herbs. Tincture preparation helps to draw out important compounds in the herbs, And because they are made in alcohol the nutrients are preserved for an extended time.
Additionally, tincture preparation makes for easy absorption by the body; going straight into the bloodstream.
What You’ll Need to Make a Herbal Tincture
It all starts with having the right equipment to begin preparing your various herbal tinctures. You’re going to need the following items:
- Fresh or Dried Herbs
- Glass Jars with Lids
Canning jars are wonderful for preparation of the tinctures but you’ll want to store them in small amber bottles once completed. - Parchment Paper
- Alcohol like vodka or brandy; 60 proof for dry herbs and 80 proof for fresh is best.
(You can also use vinegar if you don’t have any alcohol available)
DO NOT USE RUBBING ALCHOHOL
If you have these four items, you’ll have everything you need to make the ideal herbal tincture. All you have to do is follow the steps to put it together and have some patience while your herbs continue to soak in the alcohol for several weeks.
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How to Prepare the Herbal Tinctures
Preparing a herbal tincture is easy, but you’ll need to have some patience when you’d like to start using the concentrated liquid for different purposes.
Add Herbs
The first thing you’ll need to do is grab your glass jar and add your herbs to it. You should add enough of the herbs to reach the halfway point inside the glass jar.
Add Alcohol to the Jar
The next thing you’ll do is pour your alcohol into the jar (amber bottles are best). You can use vodka or brandy. Pour it in and make sure it submerges the herbs. It would be best if you had a bit of liquid over your herbs.
A mini funnel can be very helpful!
Add some parchment paper to the top of the glass and then place the lid on top, sealing it shut and keeping your liquid protected.
Give it a Shake
Yes, it’s that easy to make a herbal tincture. However, it’s not just about adding the herbs and alcohol to the glass jar and sealing it shut. You’ll need to grab the jar each day and give it a good shake to ensure that your herbs are soaking properly.
Remember to keep your tincture in a cool dark cupboard. Keep tinctures out of the light!
Keep track of when you make the tincture. After four weeks, use a cheesecloth to extract the liquid and add it to a smaller jar. Many people use small glass jars with dropper lids attached to them for this exact purpose.
The Best Reasons to Make Herbal Tinctures
You may be surprised to learn of some of the reasons people use herbal tinctures. These tinctures contain herbs that are naturally good for the body and can benefit your overall health. You may want to make and use herbal tinctures for some or all of the following reasons:
- Calm your anxiety. If you’re struggling with anxiety and looking for a natural alternative to medication, using a herbal tincture consisting of specific herbs, such as chamomile and lavender, could leave you feeling calmer and more at ease.
Or try my Calming Tea Blend. - Treat chronic pain. Living with chronic pain is difficult. It’s hard to get around and do the things you love when you’re constantly feeling uncomfortable. Herbal tinctures consisting of rosemary, lavender, and even eucalyptus are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They can help you get natural relief from pain.
- Give your immune system a boost. If you’d like to strengthen your immune system, herbal tinctures can help. Elderberry, garlic, and eucalyptus are three of several great herbs worth using when creating your tinctures for the purpose of making your immune system much stronger.
Try my Immune Boosting Tea. - Treat acne blemishes with a natural approach. When struggling with acne, herbal tinctures consisting of rosemary, chamomile, or lavender can help. You want to take good care of your skin while fighting inflammation. If blemishes have got you feeling down, you can benefit from preparing these herbs with alcohol or vinegar to create the perfect herbal tinctures for your skin.
While these are a few of the common reasons to make and use herbal tinctures, there are dozens of other reasons to do so. The tinctures come in handy for allergies, various skin conditions, hair growth, high blood pressure, and so much more. Make your tinctures with herbs that will benefit you the most based on what you’d like to do, such as treating acne or getting natural relief from pain.
What Are the Best Herbs to Use in Tinctures?
As you probably know by now, lavender, chamomile, and rosemary are three of the top herbs to use in tinctures, but they’re not the only beneficial herbs to use. Some of the other herbs that have multiple benefits to offer include milk thistle, thyme, and oregano. If you’re unsure which herbs to use, research what these different types of herbs can help with.
For example, if you’re struggling with digestion, using oregano in your herbal tincture is a great idea. Once you know which herbs are best for different conditions and issues that you’re experiencing, you can make assorted herbal tinctures and label them to constantly have them available.
Where to Get the Supplies for the Herbal Tinctures
When buying your mason jars and tiny glass bottles with dropper lids, you can find them at most home goods stores. If you’d rather buy online, Amazon does have these supplies available. You can buy the alcohol for your tinctures at any wine and spirits store. It’s also possible to buy your herbs in bulk online to save money on the essentials.
If you are not growing your own herbs, you’ll find that many places offer the herbs you’re looking for, including Etsy.com, Thrive Market, and Bulk Apothecary. Compare the prices of these herbs to get the best deals on valuable ingredients that can make a significant difference in your life.
Making Herbal Tinctures at Home
Making a herbal tincture isn’t a complicated process. It simply involves combining your herbs with alcohol or vinegar and allowing them to blend well with one another for about a month. If you’d like to start reaping the benefits associated with herbal tinctures, it’s the perfect time to buy your equipment and herbs and get started. You can make a wide variety of tinctures without spending a ton of money.
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