EASY ~ How to make your own herbal tinctures

There are SO many ways that we can coax the healing properties from our green nation ~ our herbal allies, into remedies that we can use for our own health and well-being. I have been asked to share more "DIY" info to help those who are interested, become more self-reliant. Probably the most important thing to remember? Be THANKFUL! Make your own herbal tinctures with gratitude and you'll be thrilled with the results!

There are many ways to make your own herbal tinctures ~ It's the attitude with which we harvest the plants, ready the plants for the process and create the medicine. We want to feel deep gratitude for 'these', nature's gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tinctures are herbal extractions which are made by steeping herbs (fresh or dried) in a liquid (usually combination of alcohol and water) for a period of time. The results yield an infused liquid which, miraculously, contains the healing properties of the herb!

The liquid is called the 'menstrum'. It can be as simple as grain alcohol, vodka, brandy or 'everclear'. Other 'liquid infusions' are made from water (Herbal tea or tisanes), apple cider vinegar (i.e. herbal vinegar)  or glycerine (called glycerites).

Here's an easy way to make these healing gifts:

Make your own herbal Tinctures

1. Chop fresh herbs (or chop or grind dried herbs)
2. Place the herbs in a glass canning jar. Choose the size of the jar in relation to the amount of plant material you have on hand. It's best to be able to fill the jar. Label the jar with the plant name + date
3. Fill the jar with your choice of liquid menstrum. Ensure that the herb material is completely covered.
4. Take a chopstick or non-metallic object like a wooden spoon and gently poke the plant material, allowing any trapped air bubbles to release.
5. Shake the jar and then see if plant material is still covered with the liquid. If needed, add more menstrum.
6. Store the jar, out of direct sunlight, perhaps in a cupboard and shake daily. Try to shake twice a day if possible.
7. I like to keep the herbs soaking in the menstrum for a month (over one full moon).
8. Place a few layers of cheesecloth over the mouth of the jar and pour contents into a clean glass receptacle. I use a Pyrex measuring cup (4 cup size). Squeeze the cheesecloth to release as much of the liquid into the measuring cup.
9. Pour into a clean jar with lid. Allow to sit a day or two.
10. We want to filter the remaining liquid. I use cheesecloth, musline or unbleached coffee filters to strain again, into that measuring cup.
11. Strain into an amber glass jar. Label the plant info, date, menstrum used.

For example:  Lavender flowers (fresh) ~ 23August2021 ~  Vodka

The above instructions are an easy way to be able to help yourself and your family to benefit from the herbs. When I make herbal medicine for my herbal practice, I use a scale and weigh the plant material and incorporate some other 'controls'. Each herbal medicine specialist will probably have their own method, passed down through teachers, teachings from centuries of sharing. It is easy however, to make your own herbal tinctures with the info above. Many make their own medicines this exact way!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you choose to make your own tinctures, or purchase them from your local herbalist or health food store, know, that herbs can offer us such healing. Each herb shares with us, a particular set of healing qualities ~ each of us will respond in our own unique way to each herb. Herbal medicine is both an art and a science, and always a learning experience!

Please leave a comment + share with our community.

Here's to our health !!!     Carol xo

More to come... in this 'medicine making' series.

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