Herb

It’s that time of year when you are ready to harvest and gather up your herbs for the winter. The question is how can you best preserve your herbs for future use or for selling. Many herbalists use many methods to preserve plants such as drying for teas or potpourri, juice as an extract or powder for capsules, but one of the most reliable techniques for long lasting preservation is tincturing.

Tinctures are ground up herbs soaked in solvents, such as water, vinegar, honey, wine, glycerin or alcohol in order to extract the essential elements from the plant. Using alcohol or vodka and water allows the tincture to last a very long time as the alcohol preserves the tincture. You will need at least 30% alcohol to dissolve the herb. Vodka is 40% alcohol and 60% water.

The supplies you need to make a tincture are; herbs, glass jars with lids, alcohol, cheesecloth, and a grinder. To prepare the tincture first you need to grind the herbs into a course powder and put them into the jar. Cover the herbs with the alcohol and stir. Cover and store for at least 10-14 days. Try to shake the jar every day and top off with alcohol if it settles below the level of the herbs as it should remain one-fourth inch above the mixture. After 14 days strain the mixture through the cheesecloth making sure you wring as much of liquid out as possible. Store the tincture in a glass bottles away from light and heat.

A few herbs that work well as tinctures are;

Lemon Balm……… Use the leaves and stems. Medical Use: Mild antidepressant
Yarrow…….. Use leaves, flowers and stems. Medical Use: Fever and flu
California Poppy….. Use leaves, flowers and stems. Medical Use: Sleep aid
Calendula…….. Use the flowers. Medical Use: Digestive and intestinal aid
Oats…….. Use the seed heads. Medical Use: Relaxant

Tinctures are very concentrated use 10-25 drops in a glass of water two or three times a day. If you are trying to avoid drinking alcohol use a glycerin solvent instead. I would purchase a good herbal tincture book and experiment with different solvents and herbal combinations. Make tinctures products that are you’re very own concoctions and apply labels to the bottles with your own trademark. When selling your tinctures make sure you include the costs to prepare and bottle your product in the selling price. You can sell your tinctures on eBay, your own website or at a local specialized retail shop.

If you are not selling your tinctures, they would make excellent gifts for your friends and family. Remember that herbs are used for different purposes, if you are selling or giving away medicinal herb tinctures make sure you label the bottle accordingly. Some herbs do not mix with other medications or should be voided if you are pregnant or nursing. It is advisable to consult with your physician before taking any medicinal supplements.

Best of all making tinctures is easy, affordable and a reliable way to preserve the herbs from your herb garden. And a great way to make some BACKYARD BUCKAMOOS!

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