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DIY Tincture Guide

by Aaron Kenneth

All tinctures are extracts, but not all extracts are tinctures!

Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that have alcohol as the solvent. If you are using water, vinegar, glycerine, or any menstruum (solvent) other than alcohol, your preparation is an extract – not a tincture.

  • Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts.
  • Alcohol is the solvent. You can use any spirit you like, but we prefer something neutral like vodka so the taste of the herb comes through. 
  • They can be taken straight by the dropper or diluted in tea.
  • They can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, roots, barks, or berries.

The Folk Method

While the traditional folk method is the most common way to go when making remedies at home in your kitchen apothecary due to simplicity of eyeball estimates of herb measurements it is not very scientific in methodology and can result in unreliable potency of the final product either being too weak and insufficient for remedy or too strong. The only supplies you'll need include organic herbs, glass mason jars, a knife, metal funnel, cheesecloth, alcohol, and amber glass dropper bottles. 

How much plant material to use?

Fresh Herbal Material: Leaves & Flowers
• Finely chop or grind clean herb to release juice and expose surface area.
• Only fill the jar 2/3 to 3/4 with herb. 
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!
• Jar should appear full of herb, but herb should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herbal Material: Leaves & Flowers
• Use finely cut herbal material.
• Only fill the jar 1/2 to 3/4 with herb.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!

Fresh Herbal Material: Roots, Barks, Berries
• Finely chop or grind clean plants to release juice and expose surface area.
• Only fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 with fresh roots, barks, or berries.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!
• Jar should appear full of herb, but herb should move freely when shaken.

Dried Herbal Material: Roots, Barks, Berries
• Use finely cut herbal material.
• Only fill the jar 1/4 to 1/3 with dried roots, barks, or berries.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover plants completely!
• Roots and berries will double in size when reconstituted!

Alcohol Percentages

40% - 50% (80-90 proof vodka)
• "Standard" percentage range for tinctures.
• Good for most dried herbs and fresh herbs that are not super juicy.
• Good for extraction of water soluble properties.

67.5% - 70% (½ 80 proof vodka + ½ 190 proof grain alcohol)
• Extracts the most volatile aromatic properties.
• Good for fresh high-moisture herbs like lemon balm, berries, and aromatic roots.
• The higher alcohol percentage will draw out more of the plant juices.

85% - 95% (190 proof grain alcohol)
• Good for dissolving gums and resins - but not necessary for most plant material.  
• Extracts the aromatics and essential oils bound in a plant that do not dissipate easily.
• The alcohol strength can produce a tincture that is not easy to take and will also dehydrate the herbs. Stronger is not always better!

Extraction Time and Bottling

If you're using a metal lid, protect it from corrosion by placing a piece of parchment paper underneath the lid (a plastic sandwich bag works well too), and then screw the lid on tightly. Store your tincture in a cool, dry, dark cabinet. Shake several times a week and check your alcohol levels. If the alcohol has evaporated a bit and the herb is not totally submerged, be sure to top off the jar with more alcohol. Herbs exposed to air can introduce mold and bacteria into your tincture. Allow the mixture to extract for 6-8 weeks.

Now it's time to squeeze! Drape a damp cheesecloth over a funnel. Pour contents of tincture into an amber glass bottle. Allow to drip, then squeeze and twist until you can twist no more! Optional: Blend herbs into a mush and strain remaining liquid. Keep extracts in a cool, dark place and your tinctures will last for many years.

Make Your Labels

This last step is perhaps the most important of all!

Once you've strained and bottled your tincture, be sure to label each bottle with as much detail as possible. You'll be so happy to have this information to play with next time you tincture the same herb. Don't lean on your sense of taste or smell alone -- regardless of how well-honed your organoleptic skills may be, tinctures can trick even the most experienced herbalist. Skipping this step will surely lead to a dusty collection of unused mystery extracts.

Important details to note on your label:

  • Common Name
  • Latin Name
  • Part Used
  • Fresh/Dried
  • Alcohol %
  • Habitat/Source
  • Date
  • Dosage

 That's it! Making your own tinctures is simple and rewarding. The process allows you to form an intimate relationship with both the herbs you study and the remedies they offer.

 

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