By Jade | TinctureTap
If you’ve ever wanted to turn plants into potent, shelf-stable medicine — this is the guide that gets you there.
Making your own herbal tinctures at home might sound complicated, but it’s surprisingly simple. With a few ingredients and a little patience, you can create powerful extracts tailored to your wellness needs.
Let’s break it down step by step.
🌿 What Is a Tincture?
A tincture is a liquid extract of a plant — made by soaking herbs in alcohol (or other solvents) to pull out the active compounds.
The result is a concentrated remedy that lasts for years and only requires a few drops per dose.
🧪 What You’ll Need
Here’s your basic tincture-making setup. Most of it you can find in your kitchen or a local shop:
- Dried or Fresh Herbs – Organic is best
- Alcohol (Vodka or Brandy) – 80–100 proof (40–50% ABV)
- Glass Jar with Lid – Mason jar or similar
- Cheesecloth or Fine Strainer – For filtering
- Dark Glass Dropper Bottles – For storage
- Label + Marker – Date and contents are crucial
🧭 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Choose Your Herb
Pick an herb based on what you want to support — sleep (valerian), immunity (echinacea), stress (ashwagandha), digestion (peppermint), etc.
You can use:
- Fresh herbs (more water content, milder flavor)
- Dried herbs (more concentrated, longer shelf life)
Step 2: Chop & Measure
- For fresh herbs: Fill your jar ¾ full
- For dried herbs: Fill your jar ½ full
Chop or crumble to increase surface area.
Step 3: Add Alcohol
Pour alcohol over the herbs until fully covered — leaving about 1 inch of space at the top.
- Use vodka for a clean, neutral extract
- Use brandy if you prefer a sweeter, more complex flavor
- Use glycerin as a non-alcohol alternative (less effective, but useful for kids)
Seal tightly and shake well.
Step 4: Store & Shake
Store the jar in a cool, dark place (like a cabinet or closet).
Shake once per day for the next 4 to 6 weeks.
Tip: Mark your calendar. Patience is part of the magic.
Step 5: Strain & Bottle
After the steeping period:
- Strain through cheesecloth or a fine mesh
- Squeeze well to get every last drop
- Pour liquid into dark glass dropper bottles
- Label with herb name, date, and alcohol type
💡 Dosing Guidelines
Typical adult dose:
20–30 drops (about 1 dropperful), 2–3x per day
Always start low and adjust based on sensitivity, purpose, and herb strength.
⚠️ Safety Reminders
- Not all herbs are safe for everyone — always research your chosen herb
- Use caution if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications
- Alcohol-based tinctures are not suitable for everyone — use glycerites if needed
- This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice
🌱 Final Thoughts
Making your own tinctures is more than a DIY project — it’s a way to build a relationship with the plants that heal you.
You’ll learn more with every batch. Some will be stronger. Some will taste terrible. All of them will teach you something.
Trust the process. Respect the plants.
And remember — healing doesn’t have to come from a pharmacy.
Written by Jade
TinctureTap – Where plant wisdom flows freely