“Tinctures are regarded as the cornerstone of traditional western herbal medicine due to their effectiveness, efficiency, cost and ease-of-use.”
What are tinctures?
Tinctures are made by soaking fresh or dried herbs (the macerate) in an aqueous-ethanolic solvent (the menstruum), to create a liquid herbal extract which is used as a herbal remedy.
They range from simple macerated tinctures, to more complex percolated and decocted tinctures, sometimes with vinegar and/or glycerine added. Tinctures are made at different ratios of herbs to solvent (e.g. 1:2. 1:5 etc) and with different alcohol strengths.
Benefits of herbal tinctures
- Simple to make
- Easy to take
- Efficient solvent
- Quickly absorbed
- Cost efficient
- Good preservative
- Can make strong extracts
There are many ways of taking herbs including teas, syrups, powders and decoctions. Tinctures however can give us access to a range of active compounds that other forms of herbal extraction cannot. Phytonutrient compounds are extracted at different polarities which can be altered by the alcohol strength; 25% alcohol is useful for more polar and water-soluble compounds, medium strength alcohol 50-60% for essential oils, 75% for alkaloids and terpenes, 90% for resins and gums. Substances of similar polarity attract each other and the process of maceration breaks down the cell wall of the plant, releasing the active and therapeutic components of the plant. We have listed below some examples.
Examples of herbs to use for tinctures
Some common herbs used in tinctures include:
- Ashwagandha can help you adapt to stress and pressures and the fatigue and depletion that can often follow.
- Calendula has a dominant role as a ‘lymphatic’ remedy, applied to conditions of swollen lymph glands, especially in the throat.
- Chamomile for calming the nerves, promoting restful sleep, headache remedy.
- Echinacea root is ideal for nourishing the immune system, great for winter cold and flu prevention.
- Feverfew is used where there is inflammation or heat notably for headaches and migraines.
- Ginger root is considered as an antidote to the effects of cold, especially as it affects the digestive and respiratory systems.
- Holy basil is an excellent herb for lifting heaviness and congestion in the mind and body.
- Lemon balm for boosting the immune system, relieving anxiety and tension, promoting restful sleep, and nourishing the nervous system.
- Nettle is used to build strength after illness and to cleanse.
- Panax ginseng can improve mental performance and well-being, and particularly to improve stress responses.
- Raspberry leaf benefits the menstrual cycle.
- Rhodiola supports our resistance to the damaging effects of stress.
- St John’s wort is a calming tonic that has accumulated important new evidence as a remedy for mild to moderate depression.
- Valerian root supports healthy sleep, tension & anxiety.
Making your own herbal tincture
- Level of difficulty: Medium
- Time to make: Hands on 30 mins / in total 2-4 weeks
Ingredients and equipment
- Herbs of choice
- 25-50% alcohol (e.g. vodka)
- Mason jar
- Mesh strainer or cheesecloth (muslin)
- Amber glass bottle
- Labels and permanent marker
Dry herb method
- Decide on which herb(s) you are going to use to make your tincture.
- Grind them into small particles 2-4mm and put the dried herbs in the mason jar.
- The Folk Tincture method is to just cover the herbs with alcohol ensuring 1cm liquid above the herb so they are fully submerged to prevent oxidation and spoilage.
- For a more scientific approach, measure out 100g of finely cut herbs and 500ml alcohol at the desired strength (at least 25%).
- Cover the herbs with the alcohol, give it a shake and close the jar tightly.
- Label the jar with the date and ingredients.
- Leave to macerate in a cool and dark spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking daily for the first week at least.
- Strain your tincture using the mesh strainer and place the liquid into your glass bottle.
- Label your new bottle with the date and ingredients – and it is ready to use. Example: Burdock root tincture, dry (Arctium lappa), 16th October 2022, 1:5@25% ABV
- The advantage of measuring the ratio of herb:solvent is that you can measure how much you take. In this example 5ml of tincture extract is equivalent to 1g of herb.
Fresh herb method
- Chop the herbs up finely 100g.
- Add to mason jar and cover with 250ml of 50% alcohol.
- The water in the herbs will dilute the alcohol by around half and so it’s important for preservation that the alcohol stays over 20% at least.
- Label the jar with the date and ingredients.
- Leave to macerate in a cool and dark spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking daily for the first week.
- Strain your tincture using the mesh strainer and place the liquid into your glass bottle.
- Label your new bottle with the date and ingredients – and it is ready to use. Example: Burdock root tincture, fresh (Arctium lappa), 16th October 2022, 1:2.5@25% ABV
How to use your tincture
Dosage depends on the herb(s) you have used, but a good general amount to start with is 1/4 teaspoon 2-3 times daily – you can work your way up from there. You can dilute your tincture in warm water. You can read more about dosing here, and on every herbal monograph we have shared suggested doses.
Tincture safety
Always know the recommended way to use the herbs. See the profiles in our herb monographs here (link). Always consult a herbalist to get the most informed view to treat any health condition. You can find a herbalist on our on “where to find a herbalist” page.
Tips for making herbal tinctures
- If you would prefer not to use alcohol you can replace the alcohol by apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerine. However, its important to note that extraction efficiency and preservation properties are much lower.
- There are alternative ways of using your herbs: in syrups (link), decoctions (link), infusions (link) and honeys (link).
What is the difference between a tincture and a herbal tea?
The main differences are:
- Tinctures use alcohol as its main base, tea uses boiling water.
- Tinctures are significantly more concentrated than herbal teas.
- All parts of the plants can be tinctured whereas not all plant parts make an efficacious tea.
What is a percolated tincture?
A percolated tincture filters the solvent menstruum through finely ground herbs contained within a narrow percolating column. Percolated tinctures are best for making stronger extracts (1:1 or 1:2). They cannot be made with fresh herbs, or plants high in resins or mucilage or that swell too much.
What is a decocted tincture?
A decocted tincture combines two distinct methods; firstly making a tincture and, secondly, making a water decoction from the remaining marc from the initial tincturing stage. Then adding the two liquids together for your final decocted tincture.
Bibliography
- Chown V, Walker K. The Handmade Apothecary: Healing Herbal Remedies. New York: Sterling Ethos; 2018.
- Green J, Green A. The Herbal Medicine-Makers’ Handbook: A Home Manual. Berkeley: Crossing Press; 2002.
- Heron B. How To Make Articles. Earthsong Seeds. https://earthsongseeds.co.uk/blog/. Accessed April 4, 2023.
