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Tinctures and Liniments

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Tinctures and Liniments

A tincture is a concentrated liquid herbal extract made by macerating plant material in a solvent: alcohol, vegetable glycerine, or vinegar. The simplers method described below is a traditional ratio-free approach that relies on covering the herb by a set amount of liquid rather than calculating percentages. Tinctures are taken internally. Liniments use the same process but with alcohol, vinegar, or witch hazel as the solvent, and are for external use only.

Tools and Materials Needed

If using alcohol, choose a grain alcohol at 80 to 100 proof (40 to 50% alcohol). Most rums, vodkas, and gins in this range work well. Liniments use alcohol, vinegar, or witch hazel and are for external use only.
  • 2 clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids
  • Alcohol, vegetable glycerine, or vinegar. For liniments only: witch hazel is also an option
  • Fresh or dried herb
  • Fine mesh strainer

Instructions: Simplers Method

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

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 to extract the active volatile compounds
  • Echinacea: Root or aerial parts; a well-studied immune tincture herb
  • Milk Thistle: Seed tincture for liver support; silymarin extracts well in alcohol
  • Skullcap: Leaf and flower tincture for nervous system support
  • Passionflower: Aerial parts tincture traditionally used for anxiety and sleep
  • Motherwort: Leaf tincture traditionally used for heart and hormonal support
  • Ginger: Root tincture; use high-proof alcohol for best extraction
  • Hawthorn: Berry or leaf tincture traditionally used for cardiovascular support

Shop Our Handcrafted Herbal Tinctures

Rather than waiting 4 to 6 weeks to make your own, explore Bonnie's line of handcrafted tinctures. Each one is 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

Learn More

  • Herbal Wellness Basics: A complete introduction to using herbs as medicine, including how preparations fit into a whole-istic wellness practice
  • Key Constituents: How alcohol, glycerine, and vinegar extract different compounds from plant material

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.

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