You could spend $30 or more on a 4-ounce bottle of herbal tincture…
Or, if you make the herbal extract yourself, you could spend just $6 and yield more than 16 ounces!
For this comparison, I’m figuring $3 for the herbs and $3 for the vodka. Which is an actual real life example of when I make an extract with dried eleuthero herb.
This value will vary depending on the herb, however as you’ll see in a moment, the cost savings are so big that there’s plenty of room to swing a bit and still come out wayyyyy ahead.
Comparing ounce-by-ounce? Your purchased tincture is $7.50 per ounce, while your homemade is much, much less… at 37.5 cents per ounce.
Not a typo — that’s 37.5 cents per ounce.
Whoa. That’s significant savings! The homemade is 1/20th of the cost of the purchased!
And the work? Negligible.
Seriously. Put herbs in jar, cover with vodka, let sit for 4 to 6 weeks, tip upside down every day, then strain out your homemade tincture.
How easy is that?
Why Herbal Tinctures?
Herbal tinctures (aka herbal extracts) are the most potent way to deliver the benefits of herbs to your body. For this reason, you might consider using this form above infusions, teas, or capsules.
For quality dried herbs at affordable prices, I recommend Frontier Organic herbs.
…Especially For Adaptogens
We especially love herbal tinctures for delivering the benefits of adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens are a special class of herbs that help with stress, vitality and overall normalizing your body — helping you balance whatever needs it. They’re fascinating and powerful!
For more information on adaptogens, check out this eBook:
It’s not very expensive and the information is presented simply and thoroughly. Heather (the author) is a good friend, and I trust her integrity and information.
And now for the recipe…
Homemade Herbal Tincture or Herbal Extract
Herbal tinctures (aka herbal extracts) are the most potent way to deliver the benefits of herbs to your body. For this reason, you might consider using this form above infusions, teas, or capsules.
Ingredients
- dried herbs single or multiple
- vodka 80 proof or more (preferably 100 proof)
Instructions
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Put herbs in quart size Mason jar to about 1/2 full (not packed down).
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Pour a bit of boiling water over the herbs to help release nutrients (optional).
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Pour vodka over all to fill the jar to just below the bands.
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Cover the jar. Tip upside down a few times to wet all the herbs with the vodka.
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Put in a cool, dark location for 4 to 6 weeks. Each day during this time, tip the jar upside down a few times.
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After steeping for 4 to 6 weeks, strain. Discard herbs (compost) and put extract in jar(s) or 4-ounce dropper bottles.
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Store in a cool and dark location. Keeps a long time.
Recipe Notes
Usage: Consult your naturopath or doctor or do your own research; most people take 1/2 teaspoon daily of extract(s) they feel are beneficial to their health goals. I cannot give medical advice, so please do your own research. This is just a general guideline.
Links For You
- Frontier Organic herbs
- 4-ounce amber glass dropper bottles
- Adaptogenic Herbs eBook: Favorite Herbs for Supporting Energy, Health, and Stress Relief by Jessica Espinoza
- The Beginner’s Guide to Adaptogens eBook by Heather Dessinger
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You are responsible for your own health and for the use of any remedies, treatments, or medications you use at home.
Have you ever made an herbal tincture? What is your favorite way to incorporate adaptogens into your lifestyle?
...without giving up the foods you love or spending all day in the kitchen!
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I grow my own cayenne peppers and use them fresh and dried to make my own tincture.
Hi Wardee: I so enjoy watching your videos and reading your wonderful info. I just read your article on making tinctures. And tinctures be made in an Instant Pot? If so how? And does this method do anything to the beneficial qualities of the tincture? TIA
Hi Ja,
We don’t do alcohol tinctures with heat. We do them at room temperature. They take 6 weeks. 🙂
~ Millie, TCS Customer Success Team
We made lemon balm tincture this last year but have made several others before. It’s much cheaper to make!!!
I have lemon balm growing in my garden. May I have a recipe for lemon balm tincture?
Thank you.
Hi Linda,
You can follow the recipe in this post with lemon balm as the herb. No changes are needed. 🙂
~ Millie, TCS Customer Success Team
Is it possible to make tinctures without alcohol?
Hi, Kristy:
Yes, it is possible! Here is a link to an Ask Wardee podcast about making alcohol-free herbal tinctures: https://traditionalcookingschool.com/health-and-nutrition/alcohol-free-herbal-tinctures-super-easy-askwardee-055/
I hope this helps!
Sonya
TCS Customer Success Team
I do elderberry tinctures every year! They’re great to mix with tea when you’re not feeling well (1oz or less). I’ll mix the elderberries with the vodka in the fall for next year, or I’ll make them in the spring for use that year (if I’m running low). They keep fine on the shelf and still taste good after steeping for a year!
When making the red raspberry leaf tincture about how much would fill up the quart size mason jar to the 1/2 way point as your recipe says? I was looking at the suggested website to purchase and I’m not sure how much to buy. Thank you!
Hi, Laurie,
It’s somewhat difficult to estimate these things, especially since the consistency of the different herbs varies. I would assume 4 oz should work since Red Raspberry Leaf does tend to be very fluffy. I hope that was helpful. 🙂
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
Hello,
So even in an instant pot, it still takes 4-6 weeks? Also – pouring boiling water over the herbs – is that like a hot bath the jar sits in? You don’t mean pour directly over herbs do you? And still add alcohol?
Hi, Rebecca,
We do not use the Instant Pot for making this tincture. Pouring a small amount of boiling water is optional, it is not necessary. If you do, yes you still need to add alcohol because you are only using a small amount of hot water.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
Love this! Thank you! One question: can these tinctures be made with fresh herbs (like the lemon balm mentioned above?) – or is it dried herbs that are being used in this formula?? Thanks!!
Hi, Jan,
You can use fresh herbs if you would like. This particular recipe calls for dried.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
I used fresh cayenne peppers I had allowed to dry, then followed a few other recipes to make my tincture. However, after sitting just for a few days, the peppers absorbed the alcohol and plumped up to the point they were no longer submerged. Now I have no idea of the efficacy or dosage of the tincture. Those two would be affected by the ratio of peppers to alcohol.
Hi, M. J.,
You can press the peppers down to be submerged and then let them sit longer.
Otherwise, add a bit more alcohol to cover them.
~Danielle, TCS Customer Success Team
How much water so I add to the mason jar, the optional choice?
The recipe says just “a bit of boiling water,” so enough to get them a little wet. You’d want to avoid diluting the alcohol too much.
Sonya, Customer Success Team
At my age, we are experiencing trouble with our teeth as well our gums. I’m sure I missed it, but I make a mouth wash with White Oak bark, and it appeared to assist with a loose tooth. I’ve read your material but could not find any information regarding the quantities of Myrrh, and Peppermint. Could I add these to the White Oak bark, and how much do I add?
Mr. Kirkman
Dallas, OR
Hi, Mr. Kirkman,
The recipe above is a general recipe. You would follow the steps above using your dried herbs. I am sorry I am not familiar with the quantities for your mouth wash. You will have to do some research on this.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
Hi
Nettle tincture is very healthy for gums,kills bacteria and viruses.
Tincture of geranium is very good also
Hi, I made Lemon Balm and Echinacea tincture and my question is, how can I add honey to them? Thank you
Hi Katrinka,
If you want to add honey to the tincture, you would add it after straining out the herbs.
~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
Could you use two or several herbs in one jar, mixed together or is it better doing them separately?
Hi Teddy, depending on the effect you want from your tincture you could do them individually or as a blend. ~ Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
Can I use fresh herbs to make tincture/extracts?
Hi, Maria
You can use fresh herbs if you would like. This particular recipe calls for dried.
~Vicki, TCS Customer Success Team
If I want to make a tincture out if dandelion root and leaves,what would the ratio of root vs leaves be?
I always make my tinctures following the 1 to 4 ratio (plant to alcohol),but never used the whole plant.I know dandelion root has tons of benefits ,so was thinking maybe 3 to 1 ,root vs leaves.
Thank you.
Hi, Ann,
This came from one of our team members:
For the dandelion root, I use 1 ounce of root and 4 ounces of alcohol. That means 1 ounce of the root by weight and 4 ounces of alcohol by volume.
Roots are denser than leaves or flowers so it will better extract the constituents of the roots if you use more alcohol.
It’s hard to use a ratio of 1:3 or 1:2 at home, it takes different equipment than what I have at home.
Use 190 proof for fresh root and 80 proof for dried root. I let it sit in a dark place for about 8 weeks then strain.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
I tincture the root and leaf seperately then mix the tinctures together after they’re strained. The reason is that any root (fresh or dried) should be extracted with a higher proof than the leaf. I used 151 for all roots and barks and 80 for leaves abd arial parts.
I do 1/3 of my jar root and fill to top with 151. About 1/2 leaf and fill to top with 80. This makes a very effective tincture.
Thank you for sharing Michele! 🙂 ~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team
How many ounces of tincture does a quart jar make after you strain the herbs? Also, how do you strain herbs?
Hi, Robert: The number of ounces is going to vary, depending on many factors, but 1/4 to 1/3 of the original volume (herbs + liquid) is about the usual. You can strain the herbs out using a very find mesh strainer or cheesecloth. —Sonya, TCS Customer Success Team
Does this process/recipe work well for seeds? Would the seeds need to be smashed first? I’m interested in making an extract of fenugreek seeds. Thanks!
Hi, Sherry,
I would crack the seeds with a mortar and pestle then tincture them 1/2 cup seeds to 1 cup vodka, at least 80 proof.
~Peggy, TCS Customer Success Team