Herbal tinctures are one of my most favourite things to make. For one, they’re super easy, and for two, they’re super health-supportive.
Tinctures are made by taking a plant, often an herb, and infusing it in a little 40% or higher booze, which serves to extract the active medicinal components. These are referred to as the “constituents.”
I like to call these booze infusions.
Some of my favourites include:
- Ginger-infused vodka: Great for easing off nausea and promoting digestive health
- Elderberry-infused scotch: A super immune enhancer
- Passionflower-infused rum: Deep nervine tonic
- Chaga-infused vodka: Immune modulator and anti-cancer
In these tinctures, the alcohol is simply the carrier for the medicinal action of whatever it is that you’re infusing. Sipping on an ounce of one of these infusions, when you don’t have any other contraindications with alcohol, can be intensely soothing, healing and enjoyable.
In this episode, functional medicine practitioner Josh Gitalis is back to share his herbal medicine and tincture-making knowledge with you and to really show us how it’s done. We talk about:
- Best herbs for immune health
- How to prepare a simple tincture
- How to chose the correct alcohol for your tincture
- A video flashback to a fateful day of herbal medicine making in 2009
Oh, and of course I share my very poor rapping skills. (Very, very poor indeed.) Another fave moment: The part where we both burst out laughing when Josh brings up shaving something off.
How to Make Tinctures
- Fill up glass jar with herb halfway.
- Add vodka so that level of the liquid is at least two inches above the herb. Note: If you are using dried herbs, you might have to add more vodka at a later time.
- Place parchment paper between the lid and jar. (This is done to prevent the rubber seal from dissolving.)
- Seal jar tightly.
- Label jar with date, percentage alcohol, herbs, and method used.
- Shake two times per day for one month.
- After a month squeeze out the menstrum (the resulting liquid) using cheesecloth or a nut milk bag.
16 responses to “Make Your Own Herbal Tinctures”
You have me really fascinated with the idea of making tinctures. I’m celiac, so do you suggest that I stick with vodka or is there something else that you would suggest?
So long as the one you use is gluten-free you’re fine. Vodka is great as it has no taste so you can actually get the flavour of the herb/plant you’re using.
I used organic apple cider vinegar
Inspiring video but which part of the echinacea plant did you use for the elixir – roots, leaves or flower?
We used leaves for this one- but you could use the whole thing- and if it’s growing in you garden, even better!
I’ve never heard of this before but I’m excited to try it out! I like a drink on occasion but have a hard time justifying it. The health benefits of making tinctures could be it!
Great video, as always! My question is what is the benefit of a tincture over, say, taking the herb in capsule form or drinking it as a tea?
Very cool! Thanks Meghan and Josh!
I’m making ashwagandha tincture for 1st time. Can I use cachua 40%, vodka 10]%, and everclear 150proof%.
How much of the powder to alcohol and should I add water?
What about the ground herb , which alcohol should i use? I’m trying to figure out the best tincture for .y problem and the lady i got some from wont give me her recipe so I’m going to try mixing all different kinds of powders and herbs with different alcohols. Pray for me
We don’t use powdered/ground herbs a lot for tinctures, but you could try using half the amount for powders to start. You’ll need to experiment. And if there is a specific health condition you’re working to address I always recommend working with a qualified health practitioner who can guide you with a customized protocol.
Besides making my own vanilla extract, I had never thought to do this before! What a great idea!
Do you have a website where you get the dropper jars for after?
Will you do or have you done a video that offers suggesrions for the use of your tinctures? You text are so well researched I would value your suggestions guidance over others. Thanks
There are some more tips about herbs here, though not in video form: https://www.culinarynutrition.com/how-to-make-tinctures-and-tonics/ and https://www.culinarynutrition.com/your-guide-to-culinary-adaptogens/
You might ask Bulkherbstore.com. Love this video♪ Shoshanna’s Kitchen – Episode 20 – Liver Tincture – YouTube
God Bless♥
I love that you said I can do this with anything 40% or more!!! I thought I had to get some special Quebec or US vodka to make tinctures m!