How to Make Herbal Tinctures
Skip the $20 bottles at the store and learn to make your own herbal tinctures using just a mason jar, vodka or glycerin, and herbs from your garden. This neighborly guide walks you through the simple folk method our grandmothers used — no special equipment needed, just patience and a daily shake.
How to Make Herbal Tinctures
You know those little bottles of herbal tincture that cost $20 at the store? Let’s fix that. Making tinctures at home is easier than you might think, and you don’t need any special equipment — just common kitchen items, some herbs, and a bit of patience.
What You’ll Need
Basic supplies (already in your kitchen):
- Clean glass jar with tight lid ad (mason jars work perfectly)
- Measuring cup ad
- Clean spoon or chopstick ad for stirring
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth ad
- Funnel ad (for bottling)
- Labels and a marker ad
Ingredients:
- Your chosen herb (dried or fresh)
- Solvent: Either vodka/brandy OR vegetable glycerin + distilled water
Optional upgrades that make life easier:
- Small kitchen scale ad (for precise measurements if you want them)
- Amber dropper bottles ad for storage ($10–15 for a set)
- Small herb grinder or mortar and pestle ad
Choosing Your Solvent: Alcohol vs. Glycerin
Alcohol Tinctures
Best for: Maximum potency and longest shelf life (3–5 years)
- Use 80–100 proof vodka or brandy
- Extracts the widest range of plant compounds
- Standard adult dose: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in water
Glycerin Tinctures (Glycerites)
Best for: Kids, alcohol-free households, sweet taste
- Mix 3 parts vegetable glycerin to 1 part distilled water for dried herbs
- Use straight glycerin for fresh herbs
- Shelf life: About 1 year
- Gentler extraction but still effective
The Simple Folk Method
This is the traditional “simpler’s method” — no complicated math, just eyeballing proportions like our grandmothers did.
Step 1: Prepare Your Herb
For dried herbs:
- Fill your jar about halfway with the herb
- Don’t pack too tightly — herbs need room to expand
For fresh herbs:
- Chop finely to increase surface area
- Fill jar about 2/3 to 3/4 full
- Pat dry any excess moisture first
Step 2: Add Your Solvent
For alcohol tinctures:
- Pour vodka over herbs until covered by 1–2 inches
- Fresh herbs need higher proof (100+) since they contain water
- dried herbs work fine with 80 proof
For glycerites:
- Dried herbs: Mix 3:1 glycerin to water, then pour over herbs
- Fresh herbs: Use straight glycerin
- Cover herbs by 1–2 inches of liquid
Poke through the mixture with a clean utensil to release air bubbles. Top off if needed — herbs must stay submerged.
Step 3: Steep and Shake
- Cap tightly and label with: herb name, solvent type, and date
- Store in a cool, dark cupboard
- Shake daily (or whenever you remember)
- Steep for 4–6 weeks
The daily shake keeps extraction even and is oddly satisfying — like tending a tiny garden in a jar.
Step 4: Strain and Bottle
After 4–6 weeks:
- Line a strainer with cheesecloth
- Pour tincture through into a clean bowl
- Gather cheesecloth and squeeze out every last drop
- Funnel into storage bottles
- Label with herb name and date
Your finished tincture should have taken on the color and scent of your herb — earthy browns for roots, green for leaves, golden for flowers.
Storage and Shelf Life
| Type | Shelf Life | Storage Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol tincture | 3–5 years | Dark bottles, cool cupboard |
| Glycerite | ~1 year | Same as above, use within year |
| Vinegar tincture | 6 months | Non-metal lids only |
Pro tip: Those amber dropper bottles aren’t just pretty — they protect your tincture from light degradation. Clear jars work too if kept in a dark cupboard.
Dosage Guidelines
General adult dosing:
- Alcohol tinctures: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon in water, 1–3 times daily
- Glycerites: Slightly larger doses since they’re gentler
- Always dilute in water or juice
For children: Use glycerites and reduce dose by age (consult an herbalist for specifics)
Safety Notes
- Label everything clearly — no guessing games with tinctures
- Keep alcohol tinctures away from children
- Start with small doses to test for reactions
- Pregnant/nursing mothers should consult healthcare providers
- Research each herb’s contraindications before use
Troubleshooting Tips
Herbs floating? Normal at first. Weight them down with a clean small plate or fermentation weight.
Liquid level dropping? Dried herbs are thirsty! Top off with more solvent as needed.
Cloudy glycerite? Normal — glycerin extracts can be cloudy. Strain well through coffee filter if bothered.
Mold appearing? This means herbs weren’t fully submerged. Unfortunately, you’ll need to start over.
Try These Beginner-Friendly Herbs
Perfect for your first tinctures:
- Lemon balm (calming, use fresh if possible)
- Echinacea (immune support, roots or aerial parts)
- Chamomile (gentle, great as glycerite for kids)
- Peppermint (digestive aid, grows like crazy)
- Calendula (skin healing, use flowers)
For detailed growing and harvesting information, see our herb growing guides.
The Bottom Line
Making tinctures is one of those old skills that seems intimidating until you try it. Then you realize it’s basically making herb tea, but with alcohol or glycerin instead of water, and a lot more patience. Start with one jar, one herb, and in six weeks you’ll have your own medicine cabinet staple for pennies on the dollar.
Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about reaching for a remedy you made yourself. It connects you to the plants, the seasons, and a long tradition of kitchen herbalism that’s both practical and profound.