How to Make Herbal Tinctures
A practical introduction to making traditional alcohol tinctures with fresh or dried herbs, including the folk method, measured ratios, alcohol selection, straining, labeling, and storage.
Learn the Method ↓What Is a Tincture?
Alcohol Extract
In this guide, the word tincture means an herbal preparation made with alcohol as the primary extraction solvent.
Not Every Liquid Extract Is the Same
Glycerin and vinegar can also be used to make herbal extracts, but they behave differently from alcohol and should not automatically be given the same ratios or storage expectations.
What You'll Need
Folk Method or Ratio Method?
Folk Method
Fill the jar with an appropriate amount of herb, cover completely with alcohol, keep the herb submerged, and record what you used. This is easy for home use, but it is less repeatable than a weighed ratio.
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
Weigh the herb and measure the menstruum. Ratios such as 1:2 or 1:5 describe the herb weight relative to the liquid volume and make it easier to reproduce a formula.
Step-by-Step Tincture Making
Identify the correct plant part
Confirm whether your formula uses leaves, flowers, roots, bark, berries, seeds, resin, or another plant part.
Prepare the herb
Chop fresh herbs or lightly break up dried material as appropriate. Avoid grinding so finely that straining becomes unnecessarily difficult.
Measure or fill the jar
Use either a documented weight-to-volume formula or the folk method. If using a ratio, weigh the herb before adding the measured menstruum.
Add the alcohol
Pour in the appropriate food-grade alcohol and make sure the plant material is thoroughly wetted and covered.
Label immediately
Record the herb, plant part, fresh or dried state, ratio or approximate amounts, alcohol strength, and starting date.
Macerate
Store in a cool, dark place for about 4–6 weeks unless the specific formula you are following directs otherwise. Shake or turn the jar regularly.
Check the herb level
During the first several days, make sure the plant material remains in contact with the menstruum and has not absorbed enough liquid to leave dry material exposed.
Strain and press
Strain through fine mesh or cloth. Press or squeeze the plant material to recover as much liquid as practical.
Bottle and label again
Transfer to clean amber bottles and record the herb, ratio, alcohol strength, and finished date.
Why the Difference Matters
Less Plant Water
Dried herbs contribute much less water to the menstruum, so standard vodka-strength alcohol is commonly used for many dried leafy herbs. The exact alcohol percentage should still follow the needs of the particular herb.
More Plant Water
Fresh plant material contains water that dilutes the alcohol once mixed. Some fresh-herb formulas therefore use stronger alcohol to reach an appropriate final extraction strength.
A Practical Starting Guide
| Alcohol | Approx. ABV | General Use |
|---|---|---|
| 80 proof vodka | 40% | A common starting point for many dried leafy herbs and flowers. |
| 100 proof vodka | 50% | Useful when a formula calls for a little more alcohol strength, including some fresh-herb preparations. |
| Higher-proof food-grade alcohol | Varies | Used in certain formulas, especially where a source specifically calls for stronger alcohol. |
Useful Starting Examples — Not Universal Rules
| Example | Herb | Menstruum | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh leafy-herb example | 4 oz / 113 g | 8 fl oz / 237 mL | 1:2 |
| Dried leafy-herb example | 2 oz / 57 g | 10 fl oz / 296 mL | 1:5 |
Do Not Assume Oil Settings Apply to Alcohol
Alcohol Requires Separate Safety Guidance
The Gathered Remedies plant-part temperature chart was created as a gentle starting guide for herbal oil infusions. Those temperatures should not automatically be reused for alcohol tinctures.
Alcohol is flammable and can produce flammable vapor when heated. Only use alcohol in an Infuzium if the manufacturer instructions for your exact model explicitly permit it, and follow those operating, fill-level, ventilation, and safety directions exactly.
Until that manufacturer guidance is confirmed, the traditional room-temperature maceration method on this page is the safer default for Gathered Remedies tincture instructions.
After Straining
Use Clean Bottles
Transfer the finished extract into clean, dry bottles with tight-fitting caps.
Protect From Heat & Light
Store alcohol tinctures in a cool, dark place and keep them away from heat, flame, and ignition sources.
Label Everything
Include herb, plant part, fresh/dried state, ratio, alcohol strength, and dates whenever possible.
Ready for a Complete Tincture Recipe?
The Lemon Balm Tincture page shows a fresh and dried example with exact weights, liquid amounts, ratios, and step-by-step directions.
Practical herbal education, infused oils, natural wellness tools, and home apothecary resources designed to help you create effective herbal remedies with confidence.
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Disclaimer
Affiliate Disclosure
Medical Disclaimer
Returns/Refund Policy
Contact
YouTube
Email Newsletter
© 2026 Gathered Remedies • All Rights Reserved
Educational purposes only.
This website does not provide medical advice.
“Helping modern herbalists create practical remedies through infused oils, herbal education, and home apothecary tools.”