How to Make a Tincture/Extract

Did you know you can make your own herbal tinctures and extracts for cheap right at home? It's super easy!! When you think of an extract the first thing that comes to mind is probably vanilla extract for cooking. Well I'm here to tell you that extracts go way beyond adding flavor to your baked goods!!
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If you're into natural medicine you may be interested in learning how to make an herbal remedy by creating a tincture or extract!

Disclaimer: This is my experience with making tinctures after taking a class on the practice of it. When you make your own herbal remedies you do so at your own risk.

First off, you may ask, "What is the difference between a tincture and an extract?" Well a tincture is always an extract, but not all extracts are tinctures. A tincture specifically uses alcohol for the solvent. The solvent will concentrate the substance. An extract includes tinctures but other solvents can also be used, the main one being glycerin. If you have an aversion to alcohol, you may want to use this instead.

A few popular herbs used in alternative medicine include the following:

Feverfew: used to -- you guessed it, reduce fevers. It is also a natural headache reliever and can prevent blood clots. I used feverfew extract for fever in the past and it works!

Skullcap: Helps with anxiety and insomnia. Like a cap on your skull I guess! :D

Echinacia: boosts white blood cells and helps the immune system

Really you can make an extract out of any root, herb, flower. Turmeric, chaste tree, bilberry, milk thistle, ect. Do some research into what natural remedies would benefit you.

How to make them
Now this may seem crude but it's a tried and true method of making a tincture. Here we go!

• Take a mason jar, fill it 1/2 full of fresh, finely chopped or ground herb.

Or

• 1/4 of the way full of finely ground dry herb (I prefer dried).

• Fill the jar to the top with vodka (yes, vodka). Leave a little room at the top so the contents shake easily inside the jar.

• Store in a dark dry place, and shake it twice a day for 6 weeks.

• After 6 weeks, strain through a cheesecloth.

You can buy the supplies including amber bottles with droppers online (to store the tinctures in once the process is complete). It's sooo easy!!

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Tip: If you don't transfer the tincture into dropper bottles the tops to the mason jars could start rusting from repeatedly opening and closing them. So if you don't transfer them put a small sheet of plastic wrap between the lids and the jars before screwing them on. Also don't forget to label your bottles if you're making multiple tinctures. :)

The usual adult dosage is a dropper full. It can be taken straight or in tea. Once the tinctures are complete, they last for years!

Thanks to @goldendawne for the inspiration for this post!!

Love, snowpea ❤😘🙂🌸