How to Make Tincture using Dried Herbs (Weight-to-Volume Method)
Dried herbs require a lower alcohol level of 50% (100-proof vodka works here). The standard ratio for tincture making with dried herbs is 1:5. In other words, we will use 1 part herb to 5 parts alcohol. *Please note: consult your doctor before using tinctures to avoid any issues or medicinal contraindications. This post is not intended to treat or cure anything.
Print Recipe
Equipment
- Weight & volume scale or weight scale and graduated cylinder
- coffee grinder *optional, but helpful
- Small jar with lid
- cheesecloth
- sieve
- 1 4 oz-sized amber glass dropper bottles
- Small funnel to fit dropper bottle
- unbleached coffee filter
- A container that will allow the sieve to rest on top
Ingredients
- 150 ml 50% alcohol or 100 proof vodka
- 30 g Dried herbs of choice
Instructions
- Optional: run your chosen dried herbs through the coffee grinder until they are coarse chunks (not powder). I am using dried valerian. Grinding them a bit exposes more of the herb's surface area.
- Weigh 30 grams of your desired herbs (or the amount you wish to use).
- Now for a little math: multiply the weight number (in grams) by 5. The answer to this is the number of milliliters (mL) of 100 proof alcohol to measure out. I am using 30 grams of dried valerian. So, 30 x 5 is 150. I will measure 150 mL of alcohol to use.
- In the jar, add the 150 mL of 100-proof alcohol to the dried herbs. So, I am adding 150 mL of alcohol to my 30 gr of dried valerian.
- Put the lid on the jar and label. Shake well.
- Put the jar in a dark, cool place and shake it daily for 3-4 weeks.
- After 3- 4 weeks, strain the tincture through a sieve into a clean bowl, jar, or container.
- Squeeze out all the liquid you can.
- Now we are going to strain the tincture one more time through an unbleached coffee filter to catch any sediment. Line a clean sieve or coffee pour-over and set it on another clean container.
- Pour the tincture into the filter and let it strain. This takes a bit longer. You may need to change filters or use a spoon to move sediment from the bottom to allow tincture to flow through.
- Now the tincture is ready to bottle. The tincture I was left with weighed 2.7 fl oz. Yours may vary a bit.
- Put a funnel in the opening of the 4 oz-sized amber dropper bottle.
- Pour the tincture into the bottle.
- Put the lid on the bottle and label it with the name, date made, dosage, and other pertinent information.
- Store in a cool, dark, and dry location.
- Properly made, this tincture should last a couple of years and possibly longer.
- The adult dosage for most tinctures is typically 30-60 drops (diluted) 3-5x a day. However, I would stress having a reference book to look up dosages for specific herbs.