EFFECTIVE WELLNESS

Enjoy science and health? With tincture creation you get both worlds in one!

​

I have been making my own tinctures for over 6 years and really enjoy the benefits of the tinctures I've created. The time it takes to make them is mostly idle and not hard to do at all. You can make as much or as little as you want to.

​

I have given some of my home-made tinctures to my family and friends and they have all enjoyed the benefits as well.

As there is no worry about rot or waste I have enjoyed some of the older tinctures I've made months and even years after the finished product.

 

They last almost forever!

​

If you ever wanted to make your own tinctures there are a bunch of different ways to make them and a bunch of different calculations and measurements and all that science-y stuff to it but no worries!

I have given you a few easy ways to make them.

​

BUT FIRST!

Just what IS a tincture? Is it the same as an extract?

​

Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts.

It has been said that all tinctures ARE extracts, but NOT ALL extracts are tinctures!

If you are using vinegar, glycerine, water (except water to dilute alcohol is fine), or any menstruum (solvent) other than alcohol, your preparation is said to be an extract but it is not a tincture.

​

To make things simpler from here on out I will use the term tincture over extract.

​

To make a tincture, you must soak parts of an herb for several weeks in alcohol, vegetable glycerin, or even vinegar. The soaking process extracts the active components of the herb or herbs.

 

Alcohol is often the liquid of choice as it can extract components such as resins and alkaloids that are not water-soluble.

I use grain alcohol for most of my tinctures as I do mostly dry herb tinctures.

​

You may use any menstruum you like but realize that some won't give you a seriously long lasting shelf life.

​

• Alcohol-based tinctures have an almost unlimited shelf life and do not require refrigeration if stored in a cool, dark location.

​

• Tinctures that are vegetable glycerine-based do not need to be refrigerated and can last from 2-5 years depending upon the use of dry versus fresh herbs.

​

• Vinegar-based tinctures are recommended to be refrigerated, and can last UP TO a year.

​

​

ETHYL ALCOHOL

There is Ethyl Alcohol (also a grain alcohol but more pure) which is, when it's food grade, non toxic and very safe for use in your tincture creation.

• You can find the 200-proof (100% ethanol) and a slightly diluted 190-proof (95% ethanol, 5% water) for your tinctures online at various sites.

​

• Most commercial tinctures use ethyl alcohol, because it is a high-proof alcohol which is commercially available and very safe for consumption.

​

• ALSO: Make sure its undenatured as denatured ethanol has additives that make it unsafe for consumption.

​

​

GRAIN ALCOHOL

There is also the more commonly known Grain Alcohols used for making tinctures, ie; Vodka, Everclear, etc.

• The stronger the proof of alcohol the better. Using a grain alcohol of 100-proof (50% alcohol) would be better than 80-proof (40% alcohol) but both will do just fine.

​

• Everclear is a great type of alcohol to use for tinctures because it's so pure and it's edible (which is VERY important). You can also use Bacardi 151 rum. Although it's not as good of a choice as Everclear, it's strong enough and it will get the job done. While vodka is usually the most common choice over Everclear or ethyl alcohol due to price or availability, you can use Brandy instead.

​

• Remember that regardless of the alcohol that is chosen, it has to be at least 80-proof (40% alcohol) to prevent any mildewing of the plant material in the bottle. Like I said previously, 100-proof (50% alcohol) is better, if you can get your hands on it.

​

​

VEGETABLE GLYCERIN

There is vegetable glycerin which is a popular menstruum for those that do not wish to use any alcohol or vinegar due to whatever reasons.

• Vegetable glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, is a clear liquid typically made from soybean, coconut or palm oils. It's odorless and it has a mild, but sweet taste with a syrup-like consistency.

​

• Vegetable glycerin is particularly popular in the cosmetic industry but has several other uses as well.

​

• The only thing about using glycerol is that you'll have to dilute with water when using dried herbs. However, it's a perfect alternative to alcohol sensitive tincture creators.

​

There are many different websites that can help you create your own tinctures using vegetable glycerin.

I focus mainly on alcohol-based tinctures so I will not have any vegetable glycerin recipes here.

 

 

VINEGAR

There is also the use of vinegar for your menstruum.

It will only give you a year at most shelf life but if you are not wanting to use alcohol or even glycerol as your menstruum, or know that you will use what you make within a year at most, then rest assured that using the correct kind of vinegar is also a safe choice.

• Vinegar-based tinctures are made much the same way alcohol-based tinctures are, but the menstruum used to make them is raw apple cider vinegar instead of alcohol.

​

​

HOW TO USE

To use your tincture(s) simply place 5-40 drops of the finished tincture in your favorite (non-alcoholic) drink.

Whether it be an herbal tea, smoothie, or plain water!

That's a big gap on the amounts of drops I understand.

Depending on the type of herbs in the tincture you're using will depend on the dosage.

​

Sublingual consumption is one of the best ways to use a tincture if you want stronger, faster effects. Put the dose under your tongue and hold it there for 1 minute before swallowing.

​

​

COMING SOON!

I'll be personally making some videos and also sharing some videos I've found informative so you can see how easy (or difficult) tincture making can be!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​