Tinctures are concentrates of herbal extracts made using alcohol and pieces of herbal plants. Tinctures are particularly effective at extracting important chemical compounds from plants, especially those that are fibrous or woody, and from roots or sap. Because this method ensures that the herbs and nutrients they contain can be stored for a long time, this method is often mentioned in books and herbal medicine as a way to use herbs of choice.
In addition, many practitioners of herbal medicine prefer tinctures for reasons of their benefits, such as portability, long-term use and absorption, and the ease of changing dosages quickly. Although tinctures have a bitter taste, they can easily be added to juices to hide the taste. Another benefit of tincture is that it can store plant nutrients stably in dissolved form and can absorb semi-volatile and volatile ingredients that are often lost by heating and preparing dry herbal extracts.
Step
Step 1. Buy quality alcohol
The alcohol of choice for making tinctures is vodka. This is because the color is clear, odorless, and tends to be tasteless. If you can't find vodka, brandy, rum or whiskey can be used instead. Whatever alcohol you choose, it should be at least 40%, to prevent rotting of the plant material in the bottle.
You can also make a tincture of good quality apple cider vinegar or glycerin. This option can be used when the patient refuses to use alcohol
Step 2. Choose the right container
The container for the tincture should be made of glass or ceramic. Avoid using metal or plastic containers as these can react with the tincture or release harmful chemicals over time. Containers such as a Mason jar, a glass bottle with a lid, etc., are ideal containers for soaking tinctures. In addition, you will also need a small dark tincture glass bottle to store the tincture after it is made; this bottle should have a screw cap or a pressure-tight cap to prevent air from entering during storage but also be easy to use. Make sure all containers have been washed and sterilized before use.
Step 3. Prepare the tincture
You can prepare a tincture by taking measurements by sight; it really depends on your convenience to add herbal ingredients and determine by sight, or if not, you can take measurements by weighing them. You should also know when to use fresh, powdered or dry ingredients into your tincture. Some suggestions about herbs that are included in fresh, powdered or dried form are as follows:
- Add enough chopped herbs to fill the container. Pour alcohol into it.
- Add 113g of powdered herbs along with 473ml of alcohol or (glycerin/vinegar).
- Add 198g of dried herbs along with 1 liter of alcohol (or glycerin/vinegar).
Step 4. Using a butter knife, poke the rim of the glass container to pop any air bubbles
Step 5. Close the container
Place it in a cool, dark place: the shelves in the cupboard will work for you. This container should be stored for 8 days to 1 month.
- Shake the tincture container regularly. Humbart Santillo recommends shaking twice a day for 14 days, while James Wong suggests shaking it occasionally.
- Be sure to label the tincture you are making so you know what it contains and the date it was made. Keep it away from your children and pets.
Step 6. Strain the tincture
After the soaking time is over (either if you followed the tincture's instructions or you already know it from your experience, but if not, about two weeks is a good enough soaking time), strain the tincture according to the following instructions:
- Place the muslin cloth over the strainer. Place a large bowl underneath to collect the liquid after it has been strained.
- Slowly pour the soaked liquid into the muslin strainer. The muslin will hold the plant material and the liquid will flow into the bowl underneath.
- Press the plant material with a wooden or bamboo spoon to remove even more liquid, and finally squeeze the muslin to remove any remaining liquid from the plant.
Step 7. Put the liquid in the prepared tincture bottle
Use a small funnel for this step if your hands are not steady enough to pour it. Tighten the cap and date and label the tincture bottle.
If you are storing your tincture for a long period of time and need to use it for some time, consider waxing the bottle cap
Step 8. Save and use
Tinctures have a long shelf life of up to 5 years because alcohol is also a preservative. However, be aware of the nature of the herbs you are using, and follow your tincture recipe guidelines for how long to use them.
Follow the instructions appropriate to your tincture use; consult a reputable herbalist or healthcare professional if you need more information, and remember that herbal treatments can be dangerous if you don't know their uses and consequences
Tips
- Tinctures can last longer than dry herbs, usually up to 2 - 5 years.
- Avoid using containers made of steel, iron and other metals. Some herbal ingredients can react to it.
- It is cheaper to make your own tincture than buying it from a health store.
- A coffee filter can be used instead of a muslin cloth.
- You can make a combination of herbs if you have a guide you can follow from a trusted source.
- You can "burn" the remaining alcohol by putting a dose of the tincture in a bowl of boiling water and drinking it as a tea.
- You can also monitor the quality of the herbal product in the tincture by making adjustments; follow the tincture guide.
Warning
- Some herbal remedies that are fine for the general population can be harmful to certain people, such as infants, children, pregnant and lactating women, as well as people with compromised immune systems or allergies. Know the use of herbal medicine and its possible complications in patients.
- High concentrations of alcohol (about over 40%) are flammable so be careful when working with heat, especially fire.
- Keep the tincture away from children and pets.
- For dosage information, consult the "Physician's Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines" or a trusted herbalist's book. Again, if you don't know, consult your doctor or healthcare professional before using the tincture.
- Always consult a doctor or health professional before using herbal remedies. If you don't know what you're doing, then don't do it! Ask for expert opinion.
