A tincture is a mixture made by dissolving substances in alcohol. The substance could be medicine or natural substances such as herbs. The menstrum, or solvent, also can be a combination of water and alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar.
Making Alcohol-based Herbal Tinctures
There are two types of tinctures: simple and compound. Simple tinctures are made with one herb. Compound tinctures are made with two or more herbs mixed together.
Tinctures can be made with either dried or fresh herbs. These directions are for using dried herbs. The general combination is one part herb to four parts solvent.
- Place one ounce of freshly crushed herb or herbs by weight into a six ounce glass container that has a tight-fitting lid.
- Pour four ounces of 80 to 100 proof liquor, such as brandy or vodka, over the herb or herbs in the jar. (Note: If the herbs are voluminous, such as chamomile or calendula, use one ounce of herb or herbs to five to six ounces of solvent.)
- Label the container with the contents and date.
- Store in a dark place protected from direct light or heat. For example, a cupboard is a good place to store a freshly made tincture.
- Let the herbs steep in the solvent for a minimum of three weeks, though the herbs can steep for up to six weeks or longer for a stronger formula.
- After steeping, strain the tincture. An easy way to do this is to line a colander with thin cloth, such as cheesecloth, and place the colander over a bowl. Pour the entire contents of the jar into the cloth-lined colander.
- Allow the liquid to seep into the bowl, then gather the ends of the cloth together and squeeze to extract as much liquid as possible.
Once the ingredients are acquired, making a tincture takes only minutes. During steeping, it is useful to shake the glass container containing the mixture daily, if possible, to extract as many useful properties from the herbs as possible.
Uses of Herbal Tinctures
Tinctures are most commonly taken internally for medicinal purposes. However, a tincture is also useful in a number of preparations for various purposes, for example:
- mouthwashes;
- facial toners and astringents;
- deodorant preparations; and
- antimicrobial wound washes.
There are many other uses for tinctures as well. They can even be taken straight, dropped onto the tongue with a clean bulb dropper. For the easiest and quickest way to use a finished tincture, store it in a jar with a dropper lid.
Advantages of Herbal Tinctures
Tinctures are an optimum way to preserve a herb’s useful properties. Since they are so simple and inexpensive to make, these concentrated formulas can be a part of any home.
- Tinctures are convenient to use.
- Tinctures have a long shelf life.
- Tinctures with alcohol as a solvent have the ability to extract more active components from the herbs for maximum benefit.
Tinctures can be part of a healthy lifestyle that incorporates as many natural elements as possible. They are useful as medicine, as fresheners, as cleaners if added to water (a sage tincture is especially useful for cleaning a sick room), and for personal hygiene.
Tinctures allow easy access to the helpful and healing properties in a variety of herbs.
Source:
Falconi,Dina, Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair, Ceres Press, 1998.
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