Herbal Alchemy 101: Creating Tinctures at Home

Herbal Alchemy 101: Creating Tinctures at Home

Herbal tinctures are one of the most powerful, practical, and long-lasting ways to work with plant medicine. If you’ve ever wanted to deepen your relationship with herbs or craft your own remedies at home, tinctures are a perfect place to begin.

They’re concentrated, shelf-stable, easy to use, and best of all can be made right in your own kitchen with just a few simple materials.

This guide will walk you through:

  • What a tincture actually is
  • The best herbs for beginners
  • How to choose the right alcohol
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • How to store your tincture properly

Let’s start at the root.

What Is a Tincture?

A tincture is a concentrated herbal extract made by soaking plant material in alcohol (or sometimes glycerin or vinegar). The liquid draws out the plant’s medicinal properties over time, preserving them in a potent, easy-to-take form.

Tinctures are commonly used because they:

  • Absorb quickly in the body
  • Last for years when stored properly
  • Are more concentrated than teas
  • Require very small dosages

A few drops can go a long way.

Beginner-Friendly Herbs for Tinctures

When you’re just starting out, it’s important to work with herbs that are gentle, well-known, and easy to source. Many beginner herbs are also incredibly effective.

Here are a few options:

Lemon Balm
Calming, uplifting, and great for stress, anxiety, and digestion.

Chamomile
Soothing for the nerves, stomach, and sleep. Wonderful for children (in low doses).

Peppermint
Supports digestion, relieves nausea and headaches, and promotes mental clarity.

Nettle Leaf
Highly nutritive. Rich in vitamins and minerals, supports blood and overall vitality.

Dandelion Root or Leaf
Excellent for liver support, cleansing, and gentle detoxification.

Calendula
Anti-inflammatory and supportive of skin + lymphatic health.

These herbs are forgiving, versatile, and perfect for building confidence in your practice.

Once you’re more experienced, you can begin working with stronger or more specialized herbs such as damiana, skullcap, or valerian.

Choosing the Right Alcohol

Alcohol is the most common and effective solvent for tinctures because it extracts both water-soluble AND fat-soluble compounds from the plant.

Here’s a general guide to help you choose:

40% – 50% ABV (80–100 proof)
Perfect for most leafy herbs and flowers
Examples: vodka, brandy, rum

60% – 95% ABV (120–190 proof)
Better for roots, bark, resins, and tougher plant material
Examples: high-proof alcohol or grain alcohol

Important tips:

  • Use a clean, neutral alcohol like vodka to let the plant shine
  • Avoid flavored alcohols
  • Organic options are best if available
  • Higher proof = stronger extraction

For most beginners: a good quality 40% vodka is perfect.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need fancy equipment. Just a few basics:

  • Glass jar with lid (mason jar works great)

  • Fresh or dried herbs

  • Alcohol (vodka, brandy, etc.)

  • Cheesecloth or fine strainer

  • Dark glass dropper bottles (for storage)

  • A label + marker

  • A cool, dark place for storage

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Tincture

Step 1: Prepare Your Herbs

Fresh herbs:
Chop them finely to expose more surface area.

Dried herbs:
You can use them as-is, or gently crush them a bit.

Fill your jar about:

  • ¾ full with fresh herbs

  • ½ full with dried herbs

Step 2: Add Alcohol

Pour your alcohol over the herbs until they are completely covered with about an inch of extra liquid on top.

Make sure all plant material is submerged — this prevents mold.

Step 3: Seal & Store

Seal the jar tightly with parchment paper in between the lid and the jar and place it in a cool, dark area (like a pantry or cabinet) for 4–6 weeks.

Gently shake it every few days if you remember. This helps release the plant compounds into the alcohol.

Step 4: Strain

After 4–6 weeks:

  • Strain the liquid through cheesecloth or a fine strainer
  • Squeeze out as much liquid as possible
  • Discard the leftover plant matter (compost it if you can)

Now you have your finished tincture.

Step 5: Bottle & Label

Transfer the liquid into dark glass dropper bottles.

Label with:

  • The herb used
  • The alcohol type/strength
  • The date it was strained

This step is important. Once you start making multiple tinctures, it’s easy to forget what’s what.

How to Store Your Tincture Properly

Tinctures are incredibly long-lasting when stored correctly.

Keep them:

  • In dark glass bottles

  • Away from direct sunlight

  • In a cool, dry place

  • Tightly sealed

A properly stored tincture can last 3–5 years (or longer) without losing potency.

This is one of the reasons tinctures are such a beautiful investment in your wellness.

Dosage Basics (Beginner Guidelines)

For most gentle herbs:
15–30 drops (about 1 dropperful)
1–3 times per day, as needed

You can take your tincture:

  • Under the tongue
  • In tea or water
  • In juice

Always listen to your body. Start small and increase slowly.

If you are pregnant, on medication, or have a medical condition, always consult a qualified professional before using herbal remedies.

The Deeper Magic of Tinctures

Tinctures aren’t just medicine, they’re a ritual. A way of slowing down. A way of connecting with the plants and the Earth.

Each time you make one, you are preserving a moment in nature. Sunlight, rain, soil, intent, all captured in a small bottle.

And there is something incredibly powerful about knowing you made it yourself.

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