How to Make Your Own Herbal Medicine Tincture (VIDEO)



For centuries, herbal tinctures have been prescribed as remedies and strengthening tonics. A tincture -- or extract -- forms as alcohol draws out the medicinal constituents of the herb. As needed, drops of tincture are added to a beverage. Tinctures can be prepared from a wide range of herbs, from echinacea to valerian, and even ragweed.

Today, herbal medicine is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Many individuals wish to prepare their own remedies with fresh herbs from their gardens. The steps to preparing an herbal tincture are not complicated, and can be carried out at your kitchen table. To ensure effectiveness, however, it is necessary to learn the proper method for preparing an herbal tincture.

Instructions

  • Step 1 - Harvest the fresh herb or select a dried herb; discard any discolored pieces.
  • Step 2 - Coarsely chop fresh plant material (leaves, berries, roots - whatever part of the plant is used in a tincture).
  • Step 3 - Fill jar with chopped fresh herb or half fill with dried herb.
  • Step 4 - Fill jar to top with 100-proof vodka; to prevent spoilage, completely cover plant material. Poke mixture with a wooden spoon handle to remove air bubbles.
  • Step 5 - Cap jar and attach label; with permanent marker, note date, herb, and harb part used.
  • Step 6 - Place jar in cool, dark area for 6 weeks; eventually, you may need to add more vodka as the herb absorbs the liquid.
  • Step 7 - After 6 weeks, strain the tincture through cheesecloth into a bowl. Pour tincture back into glass jar. Use the funnel to pour tincture into dropper bottle. Label as noted in step 5.
  • Step 8 - Store tincture in cool dark place. Use as recommended.




The video above is an herbal tincture recipe using Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian tincture is a calming herb and a good herbal insomnia remedy. Valerian root tincture is also a good home herbal remedy for anxiety. Making a tincture is a great way of preserving these medicinal constituents since tinctures will last on your shelf for several years. Tinctures are also a very convenient way of getting herbs into our systems.

Source: www.mountainroseherbs.com and www.alternative-health.helium.com
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Previous Comments

Mike commented on 09-Mar-2011 09:15 PM4 out of 5 stars
Hi,
1. Make tinctures when the e ful l moon is out. See Farmer's Almanacs.
2. use only dark glass bottles, like amber, brown , green ,etc.
3.Turn over the tincture bottle once a day when in the preparation time.

I use the lunar caendar as my guide. Thanks, Mike C
mike traster commented on 10-Mar-2011 12:20 PM5 out of 5 stars
lots of thoughts here...
first : when learning herbs or formulating find 3 good books... and read what each has to say about indication and any cautions..

including what not to mix the herb with...

and

conditions that the herbs are good for generally

and

conditions that the herb is not good for.

also..what meds will it interact with...

for example...valerian and benadryl together will lower your bp more than you might want.

comparing 3 GOOD books will really help you to become competent, insightful, cautious, skilled , helpful, and remain humbled as one is never truly a "master"

always a beginner.. is essential to remember.
Steve commented on 11-Mar-2011 10:10 AM5 out of 5 stars
I have heard where you should be burping the tincture daily what is your take on pressure buildup.What about using Everclear is the higher % of Alcohol beneficial?
Libby commented on 11-Mar-2011 01:31 PM5 out of 5 stars
I've been trying to find a tincture recipe for Bindweed. I got the right one, dried it, and need to know if there are alkaloids present that would be a problem for use. The one on line is too expensive and I'm trying to shrink a large tumor.Thanks for any help.
tarcy commented on 09-Apr-2011 01:58 AM5 out of 5 stars
I'm a recovering alcoholic so I've hesitated making tinctures because of the alcohol. Can anyone give some insight? Thank you.
Annette Ludwig commented on 23-Jun-2011 02:44 AM5 out of 5 stars
What are some titles of books to read as suggested regarding indications and cautions?
Beth commented on 10-Oct-2011 11:14 AM5 out of 5 stars
Teresa Diagostino ~ Stevia is actually really easy to grow & it is great just crushed up the leaf & put it in a drink, or dry & make a powder. tarcy you can also make tinctures from apple cider vinegar or glycerine
Jeff commented on 10-Oct-2011 11:28 AM5 out of 5 stars
#tarcy, you can also use vegetable glycerine to extract herbs. Do a bit of reading, I think it's more predisposed to spoiling. Alternatively you can put your herbs in boiling water for a few min before taking, which boils off the alcohol. However this
is really up to your beliefs. Other option is to dry them very well, grind and put in capsules or eat fresh if appropriate.
denice commented on 10-Oct-2011 02:56 PM5 out of 5 stars
you can use white vinegar instead of vodka. i did that when i made my hops tincture and it worked out awesome.
vikki commented on 10-Oct-2011 04:40 PM5 out of 5 stars
regularly make my own tinctures and cough elixirs. Mike from above is right......you must know what you are doing. herbs can interact in different ways with each other and pharmarcutical medicines, So buy some good books, read up, and opt for the simpler
blends. On the positive side, even the simplest of blends can be very effective!
Anonymous commented on 11-Oct-2011 02:43 AM5 out of 5 stars
For recovering alcoholics, instead of making a tincture (which you will never safely be able to use) make yourself fresh macerations with water. Chop up your herb, cover with very hot water, just under boiling temp, and make a tea with it. Steep it a long
time, then drink. You will have to do this each time you use it. Do not store it, it will change in storage. Just make it fresh each time. You can store the herbs by drying, and use them dried the same way.
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