How to Make Tinctures

Tinctures are a great way to use herbs in order to improve your health and well-being. But when you buy them in a store, the costs can quickly add up.
Fortunately, it is not hard to learn how to make tinctures at home. This will save you a lot of money.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• fresh herbs
• glass jars with air-tight lids (mason jars work well)
• vodka
• labels
• cheesecloth

1. Pick through your herbs and remove any unwanted pieces such as sticks, or parts that are especially dirty or rotten. You do NOT want to wash the herbs, however.

2. Chop the herbs roughly.

3. Put the chopped herbs into the jar.

4. Cover the herbs with vodka. Vodka is usually 100 proof, which means that it is 50% alcohol and 50% water. This is the idea proportion for making tinctures. You can use another alcohol that is 100 proof. This will produce different flavors.

5. Close the jar and label it with the date and the herbs that it contains.

6. Keep it in the jar for 6-8 weeks, shaking occasionally.

7. Strain it through cheesecloth to remove the herbs. Store the tincture in a small bottle.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use a wine press to extract more liquid from the herbs.