Creating Simple Tinctures - 101
Simple as setting and forgetting....
Why make your own tinctures?
You can use practically anything from your garden or fridge to start making your own tinctures. This is the same process that is used when making natural vanilla. You know the expensive bottle they sell you in the store. Stop buying the cheap imitation stuff or spending loads of money on products you can make at home.
Knowledge is power I always say. The more information you know and the more self reliant you become you are less likely to depend on store bought items, or other people. If anything should happen like when SHTF sorta stuff, natural disasters you'll be well prepared.
Intro...
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| Premade Tinctures |
To begin let's get the items you'll need prior to starting your DIY tincture project. If you are a gardener who grows their own vegetables, herbs, and fruits you pretty much have half of the items needed. However, if you don't have a green thumb worry not... I am sure you have friends who garden. If not, store bought items work just as well. I do suggest though at some point to start learning the basics of growing your own food eventually. Remember its all about self reliance, knowing whats going into your food/stomach, and teaching our kids/family these important skills.
Ingredients:
- 100% Vodka (Non-flavored) or Brandy*
- Wide Mouth Mason Jars (Sterilized) to start extraction
- Amber Boston Round Jars to store your tinctures in a cool place once the process is completed
- Mason Jar Funnel (Optional, makes it easier to stuff your jars with minimal mess)
- Herbs of your choice (Just make sure no pesticides have been used, so basically anything organic)
- Essential Oils are optional but not necessary
- Mason Jar Labels
- Permanent Marker or Printer
- Journal Book - Get a fancy one or a cheap one from the dollar store to keep track of your recipes that you've made. It will let you know if you made a really good recipe or a flop.
- Cheese Cloth | Strainer | or Old (but clean) T-shirt to strain the plant material into amber jars
- Patience just know you will need to allow 2-3 weeks time for your tincture to mature. Time will also depend on the material and what part of the plant you are using (leaves, roots, stems, etc)
*If you are sensitive to vodka or brandy you can use an non alcoholic alternative by using a high-quality organic apple cider vinegar. Just know this option will change the flavor but will have similar medicinal effects.
When using essential oils make sure that you use only a few drops as they are already concentrated. Also make sure that the essential oils you are using are NOT fragrance oils. They must be food grade to be safe to ingest.
Options In Herbs
Now that we have all our materials needed to make our hand made tinctures lets get started. Let's say you are having respiratory issues you can use the Mullein leaves to help you with that issue. Growing your own would be ideal but if you need them now you can also buy dried prepackaged mullein leaves.
Let's say flu season is upon us you can use Elderberries to help remedy your cold/flu. If you already have an elderberry growing in your yard or have a friend who has one you are in luck! If not then just purchase the berries online.
Chamomile has been known and used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Most people can easily obtain chamomile so this is a go to herb when you get scraps or cuts. If you aren't already growing this herb you can use tea bags! That's right just make sure you get enough to fill your jar 2/3's of the way.
Another easily obtainable herb is Cloves. I don't personally grow these but they are so cheap that I do buy them in bulk. This special herb has been used as a mouth wash for tooth infections and pain, along with ingesting to stimulate digestion, restore appetite, and flatulence.
So you see the possibilities are endless when you know what plants to use and for what.
What's Next?
1. Gather your herbs. Using your Mason Jar Funnel fill your sterilized mason jars 2/3's full. At this point you can add essential oils. Most of the time 5 drops is very common to use. Anything more than that unless you are making a large batch would be unnecessary.
2. Once you have your plant material inserted into your jars use your choice of 100% Vodka, Brandy, or apple cider vinegar. Fill your jar but leave about 1/2 to 1 inch from the top to allow room for expansion of your herb material.
3. Seal your mason jars with new lids. Never recycle lids from prior projects.
4. Keep a diary for each recipe you make so you can make it again if its successful. Or to know not to make it again if it was a flop. Make sure to write what herbs, essential oils, or other materials you used. The more details the better. You may find that certain products depending if you are buying them locally or online may vary in results due to their source or time of year. Also try your batch again if it was a fail. Pay attention to what you did prior and see if you can tweak it. If it flops again then you know not to use that recipe.
5. Label, Label, Label! Make sure to label your mason jars with what you are making. Include the date it was made and when more or less it should be ready to strain. Again the maturity time for each tincture will vary based on if you are using fresh, dried ingredients, or which part of the plant you are using. If you are using thicker or harder parts like roots or bark it can take up to 6-8 weeks to reach maturity.
6. Mark your calendar or set a reminder on your phone so you know when your tincture is scheduled to be ready. It doesn't hurt if your tinctures are left unattended a couple weeks but after that it can turn very bitter and lose its medicinal properties so keep an eye out.
7. Store your mason jars in a dark cool place normally for 2-4 weeks.
8. Once your tinctures have reached their maturity mark get a glass or plastic bowl ready along with your strainer of choice. You can use a cheese cloth, old t shirt that is clean, or a strainer. You want to have the least amount of plant material in your final product to prevent your tincture from souring. Once you have poured all the contents into your bowl (never use a metal bowl as it can interact with your tincture) gently press the cheese cloth or whatever you are using to strain to get every drop. However, do not press hard enough that plant partials fall into your bowl.
9. At this point get a regular funnel and place over your Amber Glass Bottles and fill them almost all the way to the top. Close the caps tightly as you do not want air to enter your bottle. You can keep them out as long as they are out of direct light or place them in the refrigerator until needed.
10. LABEL! Do not forget to label your amber jars with the new date that you strained them. You don't have to include ingredients unless you want to be all fancy. You do though want to perhaps put what it can be used for and how much to administer. Most tinctures if taken internally 2-3 drops under the tongue 2 or 3 times daily is a common dose.
11. Repeat. Once you get the hang of making tinctures it will be so easy and be second nature that you can make them on a whim. Practice, experiment, and have fun with it.
VIDEO
In this video I used rose petals and anise hyssop that I grow in my own garden. The other tincture I made in this video is using frankincense resin. Yes, you can use resins, barks, roots, and other organic materials to make medicinal remedies. Just always make sure to do your research prior to investing time in making the medicinal remedies. Know how they can and will affect you when used externally or when ingested.
Thank you for visiting. Please leave comments and share this with your social media outlets.
- The Greenman Alchemist
*DISCLAIMER*
I am not a doctor or register nurse. So any suggestions or recipes listed on this page you use at your own risk. Always be aware of any possible allergic reactions or side affects you or your family may have. If you are unsure always apply a small amount on a tiny surface of your skin to see if any reactions occur. If they do seek medical attention. Do not use these as a replacement if you are currently taking any prescribed medications by your doctor. If you have concerns about any interactions with your current medication talk with your doctor prior to use.
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