Making your own herbal home remedies is easy. Herbal tea is a great start but Tinctures can a much stronger alternative. The cost to purchase 2 ounces in the store is almost 4 times what it would cost to make your own. Some are even 7 times more expensive! Source
What is a Tincture? An herbal tincture is simply an herbal extract. Herbal remedies have been used throughout history to treat illnesses and ailments without "modern medicine" and pharmaceuticals. Tinctures are easy to make, home remedies. If properly prepared and stored, your tincture will last indefinitely.
What are the benefits of Echinacea? Echinacea is a classic member of the antiviral herbs. Not only does it fight viral and bacterial infection, it also stimulates the white blood cells and is good for the immune system. Use both the leaves and the roots of this plant. Source
To get startedyou'll need: A clean jar with a lid, vodka or everclear, herb(s), measuring cups and/or scale and labels. If you purchase a DIY Tincture Kit from Mary's Heirloom Seeds, the herbs, jar with a lid. labels and dropper bottle are all included. All you need to do is measure out your menstruum and combine! Let's get started making our Tincture! DIY Organic Echinacea Tincture Ingredients and tools: 1 clean jar with a lid (quart size) 5-6 cups of liquid (ACV, Vegetable glycerin, vodka or everclear) 1 ounce of organic Echinacea Root (dried)
**Always label your jars and dropper bottles with ingredients and dates** Directions: 1. Start with a cleaned and sterilized glass jar. Place organic Echinacea in your jar. 2. Measure out 3-4 cups of vodka or other menstruum and place inside your jar. *If you choose to use ACV or Vegetable Glycerin, be aware that your Tincture will have a limited shelf life of approx 6 months* 3. Place the lid back on your jar and mix thoroughly. 4. Label your homemade Tincture with the Date and Ingredients.
5. Store in a cool, dry place such as a kitchen cabinet. Keep Tinctures our of direct light *Shake your brewing tincture regularly. I prefer to shake my tinctures 2-3 times per week, sometimes daily.*
Start straining and consuming Echinacea Tincture after 4-6 weeks. I prefer to store strained tinctures in amber dropper bottles. I take approx 1/2 teaspoon up to 3 times daily as needed.
Disclaimer: All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We cannot and do not give you medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before consuming any product(s).
There are many ways to use herbs for medicinal purposes and one of the is in a tincture. Other uses include consuming in food, salves, herbal vinegar and herbal oils, teas and even syrup. I thought I would start with Tinctures because it is quite simple and easy to use.
There are 2 important components to your herbal tincture: Herbal material and menstruum
What is Menstruum? Definition: a substance that dissolves a solid or holds it in suspension :solvent Types of Menstruum is general vodka, when making a true herbal tincture. Vinegar can be used, it can be safer than alcohol, but is less effective at leaching out the medicinal components of the plant. When tincturing dried herbs, water is sometimes mixed with the vodka or alcohol. When tincturing fresh herbs, I always use high-proof alcohol.
An herbal tincture is simply an herbal extract. Herbal remedies have been used throughout history to treat illnesses and ailments without "modern medicine" and pharmacueticals. Tinctures are easy to make, home remedies. If properly prepared and stored, your tincture will last indefinitely.
How long will an Herbal Tincture last?
First, if you choose to use Vinegar, Apple Cider vinegar or Vegetable glycerin, your tincture will have a shelf life of approximately 6-8 months.
All tinctures should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. A kitchen cabinet away from the oven or stove works perfect.
According to my research, properly made tinctures with high-proof alcohol do not go bad. Again, if prepared and stored properly.
A few of my favorites: Cayenne, Feverfew, Chamomile and Thai Holy Basil
The best way to use liquid herbal tinctures is to put the suggested amount in a glass of water, tea, or juice and drink the entire contents. You can just consume straight but some tinctures can be a little stout or spicy (like the cayenne).
Single herb tinctures use only 1 herb variety. Combination tinctures are a blend of specific herbs used for a specific purpose. I've made over 15 types of herbal tinctures and I continue to make new varieties every month. Each herb or herbal combination can be used for different ailments or health boosting properties.
We offer several different kits at Mary's Heirloom Seeds
All of our kits include:
1-32 ounce glass jar with lid, 1- 2 ounce Amber bottle with dropper top, 2 customized labels, 1 ounce of Organic Herb of your choice (additional herbs available) and Details Instructions
Stay tuned for herb-specific Tincture information including recipes!
I hope you have enjoyed another educational article. If you have additional questions, please leave a comment below or send an email to mary@marysheirloomseeds.com
Have you ever considered the benefits of food growing in your own backyard? Cayenne Pepper has many health benefits but it can be difficult to consume in larger amounts due to the HEAT. For concentrated Cayenne, we make and use Organic Cayenne Tincture. Organic Cayenne Tincture is easy to make and takes 2-3 weeks to "brew" Cayenne Pepper is a nightshade vegetable. While adding a little (or a lot) of hot and spicy to any dish, cayenne pepper can also be very therapeutic. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which can open up your sinuses, fight inflammation, cardiovascular support, helps with ulcers, boosts immune system and metabolism. THIS is what got my attention: "Cayenne pepper's bright red color signals its high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A. Just two teaspoons of cayenne pepper provide 47% of the daily value for vitamin A. Often called the anti-infection vitamin, vitamin A is essential for healthy epithelial tissues including the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages, lungs, intestinal tract and urinary tract and serve as the body's first line of defense against invading pathogens." source
I decided to make this remedy for several reasons. #1 is that my husband has asthma and allergies so I'd like to give him a healthier alternative than the OTC junk he takes everyday. #2 is I hate getting sick and since I so rarely get sick I'm a miserable sickie. My husband says Cayenne Tincture makes a HUGE difference with his allergies! What is a Tincture?An herbal tincture is simply an herbal extract. Herbal remedies have been used throughout history to treat illnesses and ailments without "modern medicine" and pharmaceuticals. Tinctures are easy to make, home remedies. If properly prepared and stored, your tincture will last indefinitely. Source
To get startedyou'll need: A clean jar with a lid, vodka or Everclear, herb(s), measuring cups and/or scale and labels. If you purchase a DIY Tincture Kit from Mary's Heirloom Seeds, the herbs, jar with a lid, customizable labels and dropper bottle are all included. All you need to do is measure out your menstruum and combine!
Let's get started making our Tincture!
DIY Organic Cayenne Pepper Tincture Ingredients and tools: 1 clean jar with a lid (quart size) 3-4 cups of vodka or everclear 1 ounce of organic Cayenne Powder Directions: 1. Start with a cleaned and sterilized glass jar. Place organic Cayenne Powder in your GLASS jar. 2. Measure out 3-4 cups of vodka or other menstruum and place inside your jar. *If you choose to use ACV or Vegetable Glycerin, be aware that your Tincture will have a limited shelf life of approx 6 months* 3. Place the lid back on your jar and mix thoroughly. 4. Label your homemade Tincture with the Date and Ingredients. 5. Store in a cool dry place such as a kitchen cabinet *Shake your brewing tincture regularly. I prefer to shake my tinctures 2-3 times per week.*
Start straining and consuming Cayenne Tincture after 3-4 weeks. I take approx 1/8 teaspoon up to 3 times daily for approx 3 weeks.
Disclaimer: All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We cannot and do not give you medical advice. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before consuming any product(s).
