null Skip to main content

Tinctures and Liniments

Tinctures and Liniments

The following is how to make a tincture using the simplers method. Note: if using alcohol, make sure it is a grain alcohol, 80-100 proof (which is 40 - 50% alcohol). Most rums, vodkas, or gins are 80-100 proof and can be used. If making a liniment, alcohol, vinegar or which hazel can be used. Note: Liniments are for external use only.

Tools and Materials

  • 2 clean glass jars with tight fitting lids
  • alcohol, vegetable glycerine, vinegar, or witch hazel (for liniments, which are used externally only)
  • fresh or dried herb
  • fine mesh strainer

Procedure

  1. Finely chop herbs. Add herb to a clean, glass jar.
  2. Add liquid to a level that is 2-3 inches above the level of the herb. If using alcohol, for herbs that are mostly leaf or flower, use a lower proof alcohol. If making a tincture using mostly roots or seeds, use a higher proof alcohol.
  3. Secure lid.
  4. Shake jar and place in a warm, sunny location for 4 - 6 weeks. Shake daily.
  5. After 6 weeks, remove lid and strain liquid from the herb using the fine mesh strainer, into another clean glass jar. Secure lid.
  6. Store in a cool, dark location. Tinctures made with alcohol can keep for a minimum of 5 years. Tinctures made with vegetable glycerine will keep for 2-3 years. Tinctures made with vinegar will keep for at least a year.
  7. For ease of use, you can fill a glass dropper jar with tincture so you can take by drops.


Shop Our Handcrafted Herbal Tinctures

Rather than waiting 4–6 weeks to make your own, explore Bonnie's line of professionally handcrafted tinctures — each one formulated with the same simplers method described above.

  • Immune Boost — Echinacea, elderberry, and astragalus for immune resilience
  • Adrenal Tonic — Valerian, ginseng, licorice, and passionflower for stress and adrenal support
  • Sleep Tonic — Valerian, passionflower, and skullcap for deep, restorative sleep
  • Nervine Tonic — Skullcap, oat tops, damiana, and verbena for nervous system nourishment
  • Relaxing Tonic — Lemon balm, motherwort, and kava kava for deep calm
  • Mood Lifting Tonic — St. John's wort, passionflower, oat tops, and ginseng for emotional balance
  • Liver Tonic — Milk thistle, dandelion, yellow dock, and burdock for liver support
  • Heart Tonic — Hawthorn, dandelion, and motherwort for cardiovascular wellness
  • Brain Boost — Ginkgo biloba, gotu kola, and rosemary for memory and focus
  • Digestive Bitters — Fennel, dandelion, ginger, and gentian for healthy digestion
  • Respiratory Tonic — Mullein, chamomile, and thyme for lung and bronchial health
  • Headache Tonic — Feverfew, skullcap, and chamomile for headache and tension relief
  • Women's Tonic — Chaste tree, dandelion, and oat tops for hormonal balance
  • Men's Tonic — Saw palmetto, damiana, ginger, and muira puama for men's vitality

Herbs Commonly Used in Tinctures

Some herbs are especially well-suited to tincture preparation. Explore them in the Materia Medica:

  • Valerian — Root tincture; use high-proof alcohol
  • Echinacea — Root or aerial parts; excellent immune tincture herb
  • Milk Thistle — Seed tincture for liver support
  • Skullcap — Leaf and flower tincture for the nervous system
  • Passionflower — Aerial parts tincture for anxiety and sleep
  • Motherwort — Leaf tincture for heart and hormonal support
  • Ginger — Root tincture; use high-proof alcohol
  • Hawthorn — Berry or leaf tincture for cardiovascular health

Learn More

  • Herbal Wellness Basics — A complete introduction to using herbs as medicine, including how preparations fit into a holistic wellness practice

The herbal preparation methods on this page are for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a healthcare provider before using herbs medicinally, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.

!