Do you want to learn how to make a tincture with herbs and alcohol? You can easily make a tincture at home.
Is a tincture better than a decoction?
You may wonder that why not just use herbs to make a decoction? Yes, generally speaking, we cannot say that a tincture is better than a decoction. But a tincture has many benefits:
– For treating disorders related to blood circulation, a tincture is better than a decoction because alcohol promotes blood flow and enhances the effects of the herbs. If you suffer from blood stasis, menstrual pain, bruises and rheumatism, etc., a herbal tincture can help the treatment.
– A tincture can preserve longer time than a decoction. You may preserve a decoction in your refrigerator for a few days at most. But you can preserve a tincture for many years. So you do not need to make a decoction every day or every a few days while using a tincture.
– The active ingredients in the herbs may not easily extracted by water, or may destroyed by heat. Using alcohol to make a tincture may solve these problems.
What you need to make a tincture
Here are what you need to make a tincture:
– A herbal formula and herbs. You need a herbal formula, and the herbs listed on the formula.
– Alcohol. It is recommended to use a spirit, a distilled alcohol beverage containing alcohol 35%-85%, such as Vodka, Arak, Gin, or Rum, Brandy, etc. Do not use non-distilled wine. Do not use industrial alcohol as it may contains poisonous ingredients.
– A container. You can use a large jar or bottle, 1000ml or larger. It is recommended to use a glass container.
How to make a tincture
Usually, for a herbal formula containing 50g to 150g herbs, you need 1000-1500ml alcohol. You may use this ratio: for every 1 gram dried herbs, use 20ml alcohol.
Just put herbs and alcohol in the container, tighten the cap, and leave it for 10-30 days. Then you can use it.
To shorten the process, you may do the following:
– Make the ingredients into a powder or cut into small pieces
– Place the container in the sun or close to a heat outlet (not a fire or stove, because it can cause an accident if too hot)
– Shake the container daily
You may refill the container with new alcohol after having finished off, and refill until the tincture becomes tasteless
Doses and precautions
You can take 1-2 teaspoons of tincture per time, twice a day for treating chronic disorders. But it depends on the ratio of herbs and alcohol. You may take up to 20-50ml.
Please note, you should consult your doctor before taking any remedies, especially using a tincture. And you should not use a tincture if you suffer from bleeding because alcohol promotes blood flow.
