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Medicinal Herbal Tinctures Master Recipe

This master recipe shows you how to make medicinal herbal tinctures using any herb. For an example use of this master recipe that I demonstrate in the recipe video, the recipe ingredients list the herbs used to make a tincture to help with headaches.
Prep Time42 days
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time42 days
Course: Natural Remedies
Cuisine: Americana
Author: Mary Bryant Shrader

Equipment

  • 8 ounce glass jar with lid
  • Large measuring cup or bowl
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Amber colored bottle with dropper (optional)

Ingredients

Master Recipe Ingredients for Making a Medicinal Herbal Tincture

  • 1/3 - 2/3 cup Edible herbs, fresh or dried If you are using fresh herb flowers and/or leaves, you will need approximately 2/3 cup. If you are using dried herb flowers and/or leaves, you will need approximately 1/2 cup. If you are using herb roots, stems or stalks, and/or berries, you will need approximately 1/3 cup.
  • 1/2 - 1 cup Vodka or other alcohol You may also substitute glycerine or apple cider vinegar, preferably raw, but these alternative liquids will affect the shelf life.

Ingredients for Making a Medicinal Herbal Headache Tincture

  • 1/2 cup Mixed dried edible herbs including feverfew, chamomile, and peppermint. If you are using fresh herb flowers and/or leaves, you will need approximately 2/3 cup. Whether you are using fresh or dried herbs, you can use equal parts of each of these herbs. For a less strong mint flavor, you can increase the amount of feverfew and chamomile and decrease the amount of peppermint.
  • 1/2-1 cup Vodka or other alcohol You may also substitute glycerine or apple cider vinegar, preferably raw, but these alternative liquids will affect the shelf life.

Instructions

Master Recipe Instructions for Making a Medicinal Herbal Tincture

  • Fill the 8 ounce jar with the appropriate amount of herbs that you are using. If the herbs are fresh, they are best rough chopped first. If you are using roots, stems or stalks, or berries, they are best well chopped or pulverized first.
  • Pour the vodka or other liquid into the jar to within approximately an inch to a half-inch of the rim of the jar. Make sure that all the herbs are well saturated and submerged under the liquid. (See video.)
  • Put the lid on the jar and shake it up and down a few times.
  • Place the jar in a warm place. You can place it either in or out of direct sunlight. Herbalists assert that the sun will not cause the essential or volatile oils to become rancid because the alcohol acts as a preservative. However, if you are using glycerine or apple cider vinegar, you may want to place the jar in a warm place out of direct sunlight.
  • After two days, remove the lid of the jar to check the level of the liquid. The herbs, especially dried herbs, may have absorbed much of the liquid. If so, top off the jar with additional liquid to ensure that the herbs are completely saturated and covered by the liquid. Replace the lid on the jar, shake it up and down a few times, and return it to a warm spot.
  • If you want, you can shake the jar daily, but it is not required. However, it is a good idea to periodically shake the jar at least once a week. Doing so ensures that any herbs that may have floated to the top will be re-submerged under the liquid.
  • If you are making a medicinal herbal tincture using herb flowers and/or leaves, the tincture will be ready to strain and decant after 4 weeks (28 days). If you are making a medicinal herbal tincture using herb roots, stems or stalks, and/or berries, the tincture will be ready to strain and decant after 6 weeks (42 days).
  • To strain the medicinal herbal tincture, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large measuring cup or bowl. Pour the contents of your jar into the mesh strainer and allow the tincture to drain into the vessel below the mesh strainer.
  • DO NOT press on the herbs in the mesh strainer. Allow the tincture to drain naturally. You want the tincture to be as clear as possible and free of bits of herbs in it. The spent herbs can be saved for the compost pile.
  • Once the tincture liquid no longer drains from the mesh strainer, decant the tincture. The best option for decanting the tincture is into a dark-colored bottle with an eyedroppe,r but you can also store it in any glass bottle that you have.
  • Store the tincture in a cool dark place, such as a kitchen pantry or kitchen cabinet. Do not store your herbal medicinal tinctures in the bathroom. The fluctuations in temperature can shorten the shelf life of the tincture.
  • The shelf life of an alcohol-based herbal tincture is very long, almost indefinite. The shelf life of a glycerine-based herbal tincture is approximately 2-3 years. The shelf life of an apple cider vinegar-based tincture is approximately 1 year.
  • See the Recipe Notes below for additional dosage information.

Instructions for Making a Medicinal Herbal Headache Tincture

  • Fill the 8 ounce jar with the appropriate amount of herbs that you are using. If the herbs are fresh, they are best rough chopped first.
  • Pour the vodka or other liquid into the jar to within approximately an inch to a half-inch of the rim of the jar. Make sure that all the herbs are well saturated and submerged under the liquid. (See video.)
  • Put the lid on the jar and shake it up and down a few times.
  • Place the jar in a warm place. You can place it either in or out of direct sunlight. Herbalists assert that the sun will not cause the essential or volatile oils to become rancid because the alcohol acts as a preservative. However, if you are using glycerine or apple cider vinegar, you may want to place the jar in a warm place out of direct sunlight.
  • After two days, remove the lid of the jar to check the level of the liquid. The herbs, especially dried herbs, may have absorbed much of the liquid. If so, top off the jar with additional liquid to ensure that the herbs are completely saturated and covered by the liquid. Replace the lid on the jar, shake it up and down a few times, and return it to a warm spot.
  • If you want, you can shake the jar daily, but it is not required. However, it is a good idea to periodically shake the jar at least once a week. Doing so ensures that any herbs that may have floated to the top will be re-submerged under the liquid.
  • The medicinal herbal headache tincture will be ready to strain and decant after 4 weeks (28 days).
  • To strain the tincture, place a fine-mesh strainer over a large measuring cup or bowl. Pour the contents of your jar into the mesh strainer and allow the tincture to drain into the vessel below the mesh strainer.
  • DO NOT press on the herbs in the mesh strainer. Allow the tincture to drain naturally. You want the tincture to be as clear as possible and free of bits of herbs in it. The spent herbs can be saved for the compost pile.
  • Once the tincture liquid no longer drains from the mesh strainer, decant the tincture. The best option for decanting the tincture is into a dark-colored bottle with an eyedropper, but you can also store it in any glass bottle that you have.
  • Store the tincture in a cool dark place, such as a kitchen pantry or kitchen cabinet. Do not store your herbal medicinal tinctures in the bathroom. The fluctuations in temperature can shorten the shelf life of the tincture.
  • The shelf life of an alcohol-based herbal tincture is very long, almost indefinite. The shelf life of a glycerine-based herbal tincture is approximately 2-3 years. The shelf life of an apple cider vinegar-based tincture is approximately 1 year.
  • See the Recipe Notes below for additional dosage information.

Video

Notes

For proper dosage amounts when taking a medicinal herbal tincture, be sure to do your research and refer to a text by a qualified herbalist.  A great place to start your research is with any book written by Rosemary Gladstar, such as one of the ones listed in the accompanying recipe blog post.
Dosage will vary depending on the type of medicinal herbal tincture you are taking and the age of the person taking the tincture.
The proper dosage for a medicinal herbal tincture may be taken orally directly or mixed into a liquid that includes water or juice.
Wondering how much is in dropper full? Here is the answer*:
1/4 teaspoon = 1 dropper full (35 drops)
1/2 teaspoon = 2 1/2 dropper fulls (88 drops)
1 teaspoon = 5 dropper fulls (175 drops)
*Pg. 41, Medicinal Herbs - A Beginners Guide, by Rosemary Gladstar
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, YouTube Channel, emails, and related social media, including text, images, videos, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched on this video or read on the corresponding website. Use caution when following the recipes in the emails, videos, or website. The creator and publisher of the emails, videos, and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of the recipes and methods in the emails, video channel, or corresponding website.
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