Making an herbal tincture is as simple as following a recipe to bake cookies...YOU CAN DO THIS!
The idea of making your own herbal medicine makes most people fearful. What if I do it wrong? Will it make us sick? These questions are common, but let me reassure you that making an herbal tincture is easy to do and there is little that can go wrong.
Why should I bother to make my own tincture, when I can just purchase it? There is something therapeutic in making your own tincture. Having your mind and hands involved seems to begin the healing process...perhaps it is taking an active positive role to get well. When you make your own, you know exactly what is in it. You decide how strong to make your tincture, and you know the quality of the herbs you put into it.
How do I make an herbal tincture?
1. Fill a quart size canning jar 1/4 full of dried herbs. The standard for commercial tinctures is 1/4, but if you want to make a stronger tincture use 1/2 or 3/4 herbs in your jar. We use dried herbs because of the water content in fresh herbs. Too much water will weaken your tincture and its preservation. It is always a good idea to sterilize your canning jar before you begin.
2. Fill the jar with vodka or apple cider vinegar, leaving about 1 inch headroom at the top of the jar for shaking. Place a square of plastic wrap on top of the jar before placing the metal lid, as both vodka and vinegar will eat away the metal...you don't want metal in your medicine!
What is the difference between vodka and vinegar?
Vodka tincture will last 20+ years, vinegar tincture lasts for 6 months. They both act as a preservative for your tincture, refrigeration is not necessary. Vodka and vinegar also act to pull out the medicinal qualities of the herb into the liquid. In general, vodka will pull out the chemical constituents of hard roots and barks. Some herbs, like lobelia, prefer to be in vinegar, as it pulls out the medicinal qualities you desire. Some people avoid alcohol for physical or religious reasons, so vinegar is a good option. You can eliminate the alcohol before ingesting by dropping your dose of drops into 1/4 cup of HOT water. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving only the medicinal qualities for you to drink. This is a good option for children. Always use a high proof vodka, 90-98% and use apple cider vinegar with the "mother" as this has healing qualities in itself.
3. Allow the tincture to set for 10-14 days, shaking it 3 times every day.
4. Strain out and discard the herb, saving the liquid. You may use a cloth in a strainer or a coffee filter for this purpose. Bottle the liquid in colored glass and store in a cool dark place. Always label the bottle with a list of contents and the date it was made!
How much tincture do I take and how often?
This question makes some people a little nervous, because there is no definitive answer. I recommend that you research in a good herbal book what the general dosage is for that herb. This will give you a starting place. Know what the dangers or signs would be of taking too much. Think about the quality of your tincture...did you make it stronger? Start out with a small or average dose and see how it works for you. Then increase it as needed. Anytime you want to give it to a child, I recommend that you take it yourself first, to give you a better idea of its strength. Every batch of tincture that you make at home will have a different level of strength...it is not "standardized"...so even the time of day that the herb was picked will affect its quality. Using homemade herb tinctures is more intuitive than precise. Use common sense, be balanced, not fearful - but not wildly overboard either.
Enjoy using your herbal tinctures!
Lisa Purdy is not a physician and all recommendations are not to be considered diagnosis or prescription. Any information given is for educational purposes only. You are responsible for your own health choices.
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