Beginner’s Guide to Herbal Tinctures: Benefits and Recipes

Are you just dipping your toe into the world of tinctures? Have you seen a cannabis tincture work its magic and now are intrigued by the potential of other herbal tincture recipes? If so, you’re in the right place! This beginners guide to herbal tinctures will cover the basics so you can feel confident exploring the different types of medicine you can create at home.

Why You Will Love This Guide 

If you’re like me and other members of my Well With Cannabis Community, making a cannabis tincture was the first introduction to tincture making. 

In fact, I was so zoned in on the “cannabis” part, that I didn’t even stop to understand the history and the significance behind the “tincture” part of the process.

I didn’t realize this was one of the most common ways to make herbal medicine up until the early 1900s, or that this method can still be used today to make your own herbal tinctures at home.

I also didn’t realize that we all have a common modern-day form of a tincture sitting in our kitchen cabinets – vanilla extract. 

As my understanding of the power of the cannabis plant has grown, so has my desire to learn more about other medicinal herbs. 

In this guide, you will learn everything there is to know about making alcohol tinctures and herbal extracts at home, the benefits of tinctures, and get my favorite herbal tincture recipes to get you started – cannabis and beyond.  

What is a Tincture? 

A tincture is a mixture of herbal material and a solvent.

Tinctures can be made with a variety of different solvents including alcohol, vinegar, honey, or glycerine. 

There are different names for all the different types of tinctures:

1. Alcohol tincture = Extract
2. Glycerine tincture = Glycerite
3. Honey + vinegar tincture = Oxymel

The most common method for tincture making is to use alcohol to make an extract. Alcohol helps to capture and concentrate, or extract, the desired constituents of the herbs. 

Constituents is the word used to describe the properties responsible for the medicinal action of plants. 

Common active constituents include vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, cannabinoids, terpenes, and more.

Basically, by soaking your desired herbs in alcohol, you are creating an extract that contains the medicinal benefits of that herb.

The final product is an easy way to consume your chosen plant medicine in small doses.

If you do not like the thought of using alcohol, you can opt to make tea or an oil infusion instead.

What You’ll Need 

The beauty of making your own tinctures at home is that you are in control of what and how much of each ingredient you put in. 

In most cases, choosing home grown, locally sourced, or organic herbs is best. 

This also means you control how strong you want your tincture to be.

Remember, the ratio of the herbs to liquid determines the strength of the tincture. 

The more herbs you use, and the less liquid you use, the more portent your final product will be.

Fresh vs. Dried Herbs

It is your choice whether you want to use fresh or dried herbs for your tincture, as each herb has a different purpose and use. 

Drying can be as simple as leaving your fresh herbs in a brown paper bag for a few days and allowing the plant to naturally wilt. 

This process removes excess moisture from the plant material and helps to preserve the plant for long-term use or storage. 

Once completely dry, the herbs can be stored in a glass container in a dark place. 

Some plants, like St. John’s Wort, can be taken right from the herb garden and made into a tincture using fresh material. 

Other plants, like cannabis, produce a better final outcome when a tincture is made with dried material. 

It is important to note that dry herbs are more potent, or concentrated, than fresh plants, meaning you may be able to use less. 

It’s also important to make sure you are working with the right parts of a plant, as different parts of the plant can serve different medicinal purposes.

For example, making a cannabis tincture with flower buds will have a much different (intoxicating) outcome than making a cannabis tincture with roots. 

How Much to Use

When it comes to preparing an herbal tincture, there are two ways to approach deciding how much to use.

The first approach is called the Folk Method. In this method, you simply add your desired amount of herbs to a jar and cover with alcohol – no measuring involved.

The second approach involves weighing the herbs and alcohol, or at least sticking to a ratio.

From the popular herbalism book, Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Rodale’s recommendation is to combine 4 ounces of powdered or finely cut herb with 1 pint of spirits in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. 

In another herbalism book, Herbal Remedies Handbook, they recommend 1 part herb material to 3 parts water or alcohol in a 1:3 ratio.

When making a cannabis tincture, I recommend weighing the amount of cannabis in grams and then only using as much alcohol as needed to cover the surface area of the plant material.

As you progress on your herbalism journey, you will develop your own preferred methods of measurement with time and experimentation.

Alcohol 

Using an alcohol base for your tincture is the most effective way to extract the active ingredients of the plant and preserve them for a long period of time. 

The type of alcohol recommended will vary based on the herb you are working with and the constituents you wish to gain during the extraction process.

When shopping for alcohol, know that the alcohol content of a product can range from 25-90% alcohol, with the remainder being water content.

A more gentle alcohol, like 80-proof vodka, is suitable for delicate herbs like chamomile.

A more potent alcohol, like high-proof alcohol, is suitable for herbs like cannabis which contain cannabinoids to be extracted. 

When shopping for alcohol:

• ALWAYS use food-grade alcohol like high proof ethyl alcohol, 151 rum, vodka, gin, brandy
• NEVER use rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol or wood alcohol. These are toxic if ingested.

Learn where you can purchase high-proof alcohol here. 

Equipment 

The beauty of making a tincture at home is that it is very simple and does not require any fancy equipment.

In fact, almost everything can be found at home or in your favorite local stores. 

The following supplies are needed or helpful to make a tincture:

• Clean glass jar, like a mason jar, that has a metal lid
• Another glass jar that can be used for straining
• Straining supplies, like a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or a coffee filter 
• Storage containers, like these amber glass bottles
• If you want to get fancy, a small funnel can help

Storage Instructions 

It is best to store your finished tincture in a glass container in a cool, dry place. 

Dark glass bottles are preferred because they block any light which may affect the potency of the tincture. 

I love to use amber dropper bottles like this because they are dark and typically come with a measured dropper.

This makes it easier to dose homemade tinctures.

Property prepared tinctures have a long shelf life and can keep well for three years or more if stored properly.

Do your best to avoid heat, light, water and other contaminants.

How To Use A Tincture

Once prepared, a tincture can be used in various ways, from recipes and edibles to topical preparations. 

The most common way to use a tincture is to place a few drops under the tongue for sublingual absorption. 

You may need to evaporate some of the alcohol to make this a comfortable experience. 

You can also add a few drops of a tincture to your favorite drink or recipe.

This is a great way to reap the plant medicine without any discomfort. 

Learn more about how to use a marijuana tincture here. 

Echinacea Tincture

Echinacea, one of the most popular medicinal herbs, affects the body’s immune system.

An echinacea root tincture is often used at the onset of minor illnesses, such as the common cold, to prevent or shorten the duration of the illness.

An echinacea tincture is also used as a sore throat spray.

Chamomile Tincture

Chamomile is a traditional remedy for sleeplessness and headaches, and is often used to relieve stress.

Chamomile tincture is also used to lessen pain, including the pain of menstrual cramps and headaches.

Lavender Tincture

Like chamomile, lavender is a natural stress-reliever that is used to relieve and enhance feelings of well-being.

Lavender promotes restful sleep and promotes relaxation during times of stress.

Calendula Tincture

Calendula tincture is applied topically to minor cuts and scrapes to promote fast healing.

The tincture can be applied directly to the wound, or added to a cream-based salve.

Rosemary Tincture

Rosemary tincture contains antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation in the body.

Used internally, rosemary helps eliminate free radicals, reduces restlessness and promotes restful sleep.

Rosemary tincture also reduces the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.

Peppermint Tincture

Peppermint tincture is a useful addition to the medicine cabinet, as the herb is used to treat indigestion and other common stomach ailments.

Peppermint tincture is also applied topically to treat mild headaches, and relieves minor muscle aches when applied topically.

Lemon Balm Tincture

Traditionally, lemon balm tincture is used to treat depression, and is thought to relieve stress and enhance feelings of well-being.

Lemon balm is an antiviral that is used to treat viral infections, including cold sores, and to treat the flu and other viral illnesses.

Conclusion

That’s it – everything you need to know about making the best tincture at home!

Taking the time to make your own herbal tinctures is a great way to preserve the medicinal qualities of specific herbs and begin to create your own medicinal apothecary at home.

I hope this guide leaves you filled with positive energy and excitement to go out and create.

Remember, there is no one best way to make a tincture or make your own medicine, so be patient, keep experimenting, and do what works best for you!

Have you ever made your own herbal tinctures at home? What do you like to keep on hand? Let me know in the comments below!