Tinctures are concentrates of herbal extracts, made using alcohol and chopped herbs. The tincture is particularly effective in extracting essential oils from plants, especially from very fibrous or woody ones and from roots and resins. Since this method ensures that herbs and their nutrients are preserved for a long time, it is often mentioned in herbal and remedy books as the best way to use herbs.
In addition, many herbalists love tinctures for positive reasons, such as being easy to carry, their usefulness in long-term treatments and their ability to be absorbed quickly, and then allow for easy dosage changes. Plus, should the tincture turn out to be bitter, the easiest thing is to add it to a juice to counterfeit its taste. Another benefit of tinctures is that they keep nutrients in stable and soluble form and preserve volatile ingredients and volatile seeds that would otherwise be lost in heat treatments and dry herb extraction processing.
Steps
Step 1. Buy quality alcohol
The preferred type of alcohol for making tinctures is vodka. This is due to the fact that it is colorless, odorless and virtually tasteless. If you can't find vodka, you can replace it with brandy, rum, or whiskey. Whichever alcohol you choose, make sure it is at least 40 degrees to prevent the herbs from rotting inside the bottle.
You can also make a tincture from quality apple cider vinegar or glycerin. The alternatives are particularly suitable for patients who cannot take alcohol
Step 2. Use a suitable container
The dye container should be glass or ceramic. Avoid using metal or plastic containers as they can react with the dye and release dangerous chemicals over time. Jam jars or glass bottles with corks are ideal for steeping herbs. Also, you need to get some small tinted glass bottles to put the tincture in once you have made it, these bottles should have a tight screw cap or a clip to prevent air from entering during storage but still guarantee a easy to use. Make sure all containers are washed and sterilized before use.
Step 3. Prepare the tincture
You can prepare a tincture by dosing or by eye; it depends on whether you feel comfortable just adding herbs and judging by eye, or if you feel more comfortable adding them after dosing. You should also know if you want to add dried, fresh, or powdered herbs to the tincture. Some tips for adding herbs in this order: fresh, powdered or dried:
- Add enough dried and chopped herbs to fill the glass container. Cover with alcohol.
- Add 115g of powdered herbs and 475ml of alcohol (or vinegar / glycerin).
- Add 200g of dried herbs to 1 liter of alcohol (or vinegar / glycerin).
Step 4. Using a butter knife, move the surface of the glass jar to make sure you break the air bubbles
Step 5. Close the container
Put it in a cool, dark place; a sideboard shelf is best. The container must be stored for a period of 8 days to one month.
- Shake the container periodically. Humbart Santillo recommends doing this twice a day for 14 days, while James Wong recommends shaking it every now and then.
- Be sure to put a label on the steeping tincture to remind you of what it is and what date it was made. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Step 6. Filter the dye
Once the steeping time ends (you will know this from the tincture instructions or from experience but, if not, two weeks is a good steeping time), filter the tincture as explained below:
- Put some muslin cloth in a colander. Place a large bowl underneath to collect the filtered liquid.
- Carefully pour the filtered liquid through the muslin fabric and strainer. Muslin locks in herbs as liquid passes through the fabric into the bowl below.
- Mash the herbs with a wooden or bamboo spoon to release the remaining liquid and, lastly, squeeze the muslin to extract the liquid absorbed by the herbs.
Step 7. Let the liquid settle into a tincture bottle you have prepared
Use a small funnel for this step if you don't have a steady hand. Tighten the cap and label the tincture with the date.
If you plan to store the tincture for a long time before using it, consider sealing the bottle with wax
Step 8. Store and use
A tincture can stay on a shelf for up to 5 years due to the preserved qualities of alcohol. However, you need to know the properties of the particular herbs you used, and follow the directions in the recipe you are following for making the tincture so that you know how long the tincture can be stored.
Follow the important instructions for using your tincture; consult with a professional and competent herbalist or doctor if you need more information and always keep in mind that herbal treatments can be dangerous if you do not know the properties of herbs and their consequences
Advice
- Avoid using containers made of steel, iron or other metals. Some herbs react to metal.
- Tinctures last longer than dried herbs, usually up to 2-5 years.
- It is cheaper to make your own tinctures than to buy them from a herbalist's shop.
- A coffee filter can be used instead of muslin fabric.
- You can combine herbs if you have instructions to follow from a reliable source.
- You can "consume" the alcohol by placing the dose in a cup of boiling water and drinking it as in tea.
- You can control the quality of the herbs in the tincture by making adjustments; follow the dye instructions.
Warnings
- Some herbal tinctures that are good for everyone, for someone could be harmful, such as for babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women or for people with low immune systems or who suffer from allergies. Learn about the properties of herbs and the possible complications of patients!
- High concentrations (around 40 +%) are flammable so be careful if you are working near heat, especially if it is an open flame.
- For dosing information consult the "Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines" or a reputable herbalist book. If you don't know something, consult a doctor or professional before using the tincture.
- Keep out of the reach of children and animals.
- Always consult your doctor or professional before using a herbal treatment. If you are unsure of what you are doing then it is best not to do it, ask an expert for advice.
