On a windowsill I grew lemongrass and catnip, so I thought why not making a few drops of tincture out of these two? Basically, I wanted to make tinctures because I love the scent of these two herbs. And then I added the 4th hero - common yarrow that was already dried for tea and getting bored in the kitchen sideboard. I still have a plan to make also Valerian root tincture this year, but the time to dig out those roots hasn't arrived yet. Patience, nature always teaches us patience. Making tinctures does the same thing as you need to wait until they are ready.
So, the only herbal tincture I've made so far is wormwood tincture. The other 3 - Lemongrass, Catnip and Common Yarrow tinctures are my first-time projects. To be honest, I still don't really know how I'll use them and how well they are going to work, but so far after 2 weeks of sitting covered in alcohol, they smell nicely, and I even hope I might use them later for aromatic purposes as well. Ok, let's see, how it goes.
DIY: Make Your Own Tinctures
Old witches usually have kitchen shelves full of herbs sinking in liquids of different colors. Of course, mean witches have not just herbs but also animals like snakes and frogs stuffed in jars and bottles. Yeah, all witches are making tinctures out of everything that can be found in nature. Aaand you don't have to be an old witch from fairy-tale book or horror movie to make your own herbal tinctures. It's actually easy.
You need:
- Fresh or dried herbs
- Jar with a tight fitting lid
- 40% / 80 proof alcohol (vodka, brandy, whiskey or rum). You can also use stronger alcohol.
Internet resources tell that those who avoid any kind and doses of alcohol can substitute it with apple cider vinegar.
To make a herbal extract called tincture stuff finely chopped, broken or shred fresh or dried herbs into a jar, pour over it strong alcohol, cover with a lid, shake and leave the jar in a dark, cool place where herbs can soak into alcohol for about 4 weeks to 3 months, shaking the jar once a day to mix and coat herbs and alcohol. When the time comes, strain the liquid through a cheese cloth (most likely in more than just one layer) and it's done!
As alcohol is a natural preservative, tinctures can be stored even for 3-5 years without losing their properties, but if you are substituting alcohol with apple cider vinegar those tinctures might last just a few months, oh, and they should also be called extracts. The name "tincture" is earned for extracts made with alcohol.
While I'm waiting when my tinctures will be ready and I'll be able to check these tinctures on myself, I'm trying to collect ways of using tinctures or understanding their medicinal properties, usage and healing powers.
Wormwood tincture
+ Stimulates digestion (helps to deal with overeating)
+ Relieves constipation
+ Expels intestinal worms
+ Calms down nerves, alleviates stress, tension and anxiety, mild sedative
+ Helps to relieve gastric pain
+ Helps to treat common cold and fever
+ Relieves menstrual pain
+ Relieves menstrual pain
+Applied externally relieves arthritis and rheumatism pain
+ Improves appetite
+ Insect and moth repellent
- Long-term use can cause nausea and insomnia
- Restricted for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Overdosing can cause poisoning
Lemongrass tincture
+ Mild sedative that treats insomnia and helps to calm down nerves
+Anti-fungal and antibacterial treatment
+ Relieves stomach ache and spasms
+ Treats upset stomach, stomach flu, diarrhea and vomiting
+ Analgesic that relieves headache
+ Aids digestive system
+ Digestive tract and liver cleanser with diuretic properties
+ Helps to fight free radicals
+ Immune system supporter
+ Skin tissue and muscle toner
+ Diluted can be applied to the skin externally to treat acne and Athlete's foot
+ Diluted can be massaged into skin to remove lower back pain, rheumatism and sprains
+ Massage oil with lemongrass tincture can improve blood circulation
+ Mixed with shampoo treats oily hair
Catnip tincture
+ Mild sedative that helps to relieve stress and anxiety
+ Eases stress related health issues like headache, migraines
+ Alleviates mental disorders
+ Sleep inducer that treats insomnia
+ It is anti-spasmodic muscle relaxant
+ Reduces menstrual cramps
+ Helps to treat colds, flu and fever
+ Improves appetite, digestive system stimulant
+ Some sources claim that it protects from having nightmares while sleeping
+ Can be used topically to remove arthritis pain and repel mosquitoes
- Not advised for pregnant women, as it might cause uterus contractions
Common Yarrow tincture
+ Treats cold, flu and reduces fever
+ Stops bleeding nose, ulcers and hemorrhoids
+ Reduces menstrual cramps and heavy menstrual bleeding
+ Helps to treat varicose veins and protruding blood vessels
+ Removes swelling
+ Helps to heal bruises and wounds, and prevents infections
+ Topically used as skin toner to treat acne, eczema, wrinkles and oily skin
+ Strengthens hair, but usable only for treating oily hair
- Not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding women
How to Use Herbal Tinctures?
Many tinctures are not suitable for children, and if using, do it with a caution and in small doses like a few drops added to a cup of tea or juice. Adults can use from a few drops to a teaspoon of a tincture for up to 3 times a day. They can be ingested pure or mixed into hot tea. Tinctures definitely are not suitable for everyday use, for example, like vitamins, but they surely make a great home medicine chest. Treating any specific health condition don't use any tincture for more than 9 days in a row.
Herbal tinctures can be used topically as well - applied neat or diluted with a carrier oil and massaged into skin on specific condition affected area. Take in account that all commercially produced and also self-made products containing alcohol can dry out your skin, so don't use on face, hair and large body areas if you already have dry skin. Using tinctures on small body areas shouldn't cause any problems. You can also add tinctures to bath water, feet bath, compresses, self-made healing balms and salves.
Please, be aware that individual results might not be the same for two different people - yes, we are all humans, but not that similar as it looks from apart as we have individual body characteristics and health conditions.
So, what are your experiences with self-made tinctures? What are your favorite tinctures? Share your knowledge and experience - it might be useful for other readers (and I'm curious as well)!
Read also here:
Herbal Tinctures II: Pine Needles and Valerian Root
This all sounds very exciting! I'm going to make some wormwood tincture for myself, now. Is there anything that can be done with the infused eaf-matter after it has been strained? It seems such a waste to throw so much ginny goodness away ;-)
ReplyDeletecompost it. give it to the chickens?
DeleteWormwood can kill your birds
Delete