Folk Method for Tincture Making
Tinctures are a concentrated liquid extracts made from fresh or dried herbs. They are very potent. Because they are so concentrated, they should be administered carefully and sparingly.
Most tinctures are made with alcohol as the primary solvent. Effective tinctures can also be made with apple cider vinegar and vegetable glycerin but will not be as strong as the alcohol-based tinctures. If you are using vegetable glycerin please keep in mind that most vegetable glycerin is made from soy. I am against using soy for a variety of reasons so I do not recommend vegetable glycerin unless it is soy free. If you are interested in using it please make sure your source is 100% certified organic, otherwise you will be using GMO vegetable glycerin and that is not healing for your body.
Alcohol Tincture: You will need 80 to 100 proof, such as vodka (I like Finlinda Vodka), gin, or brandy. Half of the proof number is the percentage of alcohol in the spirits, 80 proof brand is 40 percent alcohol, 100 proof vodka is 50 percent alcohol.
You will need:
Herbs fresh or dried
Clean dry jars
Cheese cloth
Strainers
Tincture bottles
Funnels. A variety of sizes.
Menstruum of choice: Alcohol, apple cider vinegar, and/or soy free glycerin
Traditional or Simpler's Method.
I prefer using the traditional way. I am old fashion and I believe that this method works beautifully. It has for years..
Fresh Flowers and Leaf:
Chop herbs finely and place 2/3 o 3/4 in a clean dry jar, pack it tightly.
Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch. Cover herbs completely.
Label and date
Shake daily, give it some Love
Dried Leaves and Flowers
Fill jar 1/2 with herb material
Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch. Cover completely.
Label and date
Shake daily, give it some Love
Fresh Bark, Roots and Berries:
Fill jar 1/3 to 2/3 of fresh herb
Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch. Cover herbs completely.
Shake daily, give it some Love
Dried Bark, Roots and Berries
Fill jar with 1/3 to 1/2 herbs
Pour alcohol over the herbs, fill just over the herbs by an inch. Cover herbs completely
Keep in mind roots and berries will expand 1/2 their size.
Label and date
Shake daily, give it some love
Remember to pour enough menstruum (alcohol, vinegar, wine or vegetable glycerin) to cover the herbs. Liquid should rise 2 to 3 inches above the herbs. Herbs should move freely when you shake the jar. cover with a tight-fitting lid.
Apple Cider Vinegar:
Warm it slightly first then pour it over the herbs. Fill just over the herbs by an inch.
Vegetable Glycerin
Mix 3 parts vegetable glycerin to 1 part distilled water heat it slightly. Mix well then pour over the herbs. Fill just over the herbs by an inch.
Place the jar in a warm location, like a kitchen counter. Avoid sunlight exposure. After a few days if you notice the herbs are not covered all the way be sure to top off with more alcohol.
Let sit for 6 to 8 weeks.
To Strain You Will Need;
Strainer, unbleached cheese cloth, 2 cup or 4 cup measuring cup, labels and bottles.
Place strainer over measuring cup, put cheese cloth over strainer. Pour contents of tincture into strainer. Squeeze, squeeze and squeeze. Twist and squish. Get all of the wonderful healing properties out.
Pour into tincture bottles and label.
Dosages Adult
Tinctures dosages do vary, you might want to start with less and adjust as needed.
Acute: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon every 30 to 60 minutes until symptoms subside OR 2 dropperfuls every 2 to 3 hours for 1 to 2 days and then taper down
Chronic: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon three times daily OR 2 dropperfulls 3 times per day for 8 to 12 weeks.
You can put them in tea, water, juice, ice cubes, smoothies Popsicle ect.
