Making Herbal Tinctures

Making herbal tinctures involves extracting the essential oil from an herb by using alcohol or apple cider vinegar as a solvent. Tinctures, also known as extracts, are a more potent formulation of the beneficial compounds in the herb and they are more easily absorbed by the body. Usually these organic extracts are packaged in bottles with an eyedropper in the cap to dispense the solution.

Soaking the Herbs

The first step in creating a tincture is to immerse your herb in ethanol, or drinking alcohol. Do not use isopropyl alcohol since this is poisonous when taken internally. A high proof alcohol such as 190 proof Everclear will extract a higher percentage of the essential oils than lower proof alcohols. Vodka may also be used if it is at least 40 percent alcohol or 80 proof. When making a tincture to be administered to children some people prefer to use apple cider vinegar as the solvent but the potency of the tincture will be decreased.

Amount of Herb to Use

In making herbal tinctures you will need either a dried or powdered form of the herb. Most of the time a single herb is used for a tincture but you can make combinations to suit your specific needs.

• Powdered herb - approximately four ounces per pint of liquid


• Dried herb - double the amount of herbal material mixed in the alcohol or vinegar.


• Combined herbs - combine them so the total amount of organic material totals four or eight ounces as dictated by the original form of the herb

Time

Once the herb and the alcohol are mixed in the bottle shake it at least twice per day. This application of mechanical energy will aid in a speedier and more complete extraction process. If you used dry herbs you tincture will be ready in approximately two weeks while a tincture made with powdered herbs will be ready in about one week.

Herbal Oils

Herbal oils are similarly concocted but virgin olive oil is substituted as the liquid. Add two ounces of herb to a pint of olive oil and set it in a warm place for four days. To speed up the process warm the mixture in a pan on the kitchen stove for a few hours. If you used dry herbs it will be necessary to press the oil from the herb after simmering them and add vitamin E as a preservative.

Making herbal tinctures is a fairly easy process. Most are taken internally but some tinctures are used in creams or ointments. Using a higher proof alcohol or a more acidic solution will leach more of the alkaloid from the herb and create a more potent medicine.

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