Let's Make a Tincture

Yikes! I have not blogged since Thanksgiving! Either that means I haven't had anything interesting to blog about, or it means I'm too busy to blog at all. Or both. ;) On top of that, my recipe conversion challenge went down the tubes bc life just didn't allow time for it. So, sorry about that. But, it's a new year now! I admit I wasn't sad to see 2010 go. We are welcoming a new year and praying for the Lord to do some great things. :) This time, I won't make any claims to what I might blog about. I'll just blog as it comes to mind, whatever it might be.

This time, we're going to talk about tinctures. "What on earth is a tincture?" you may ask. Well, it's an infusion of herbs and alcohol for the purpose of pulling the medicinal or beneficial properties of the herb out into the alcohol, for use. You usually find these ready-made tinctures at your health food store in small 1-2oz dark glass bottles. Vanilla extract is also a tincture.

Practically any herb can be tinctured. Some herbs have medicinal properties that are not absorbed by the body easily. Once allowed to sit in pure alcohol, the benefits of the herb will be drawn out and the alcohol will become a potent tincture. Some herbal tinctures require only a few drops to gain the benefits. Others require a dropperful or more a day. It all depends on what herbs you are using, and what benefits you are trying to achieve by using it.

Herbal tinctures can be taken in liquid, or under the tongue. It is important to know your herbs before using them! Research what herbs you want to use and note any safety precautions. Once you know all the info, tinctures can be easy and fun to make, and an excellent way to get all those medicinal qualities of the herbs out.

I make and use tinctures for a variety of things, with several different herbal combinations. Tonight I tinctured dry red root. I prefer using brandy for the alcohol base, bc of it's taste. But I've also used cheap vodka. Rum is another popular base. For those of you who are GF like we are, the gluten is said to be removed from these alcohols during the distillation process. As of yet we haven't had any issues with it.

First, you want to gather your ingredients. You'll need a clean, sterile mason jar with a lid, dried or fresh herbs of choice, and a quart of alcohol. I prefer to use blue mason jars bc it helps keep the light out from the tincture, which will preserve the herb's qualities.




Next, put your herbs into your jar. You can fill it half way or more with herbs for a more potent tincture, or fill it 1/4 of the way. Once you have your herbs in, dump your alcohol base into the jar and fill it to the top (leave a couple inches).




This is your tincture. Always label your jars! Put the herbs that you used, and the date you made it. Stick it in a dry, cool spot away from direct sunlight. Allow it to sit for 3-4 weeks. The longer it sits, the more potent it is. Shake the jar every couple days.




After allowing it to sit for several weeks, you will strain out the herbs. I will post pics of this process in a few weeks... so, to be continued. :)

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and this post is based on my own experiences and opinions. Use at your own risk.