Standard Tincture Ratios
(Herb weight: liquid volume, % alcohol)
Fresh plants
1:2 95%
Dried plants
1:5 50%
Tincturing methods
- Weight-to-volume scientific method
- Folk method
- Percolations
Tincturing combination suggestions (optional)
- Add 10% vinegar +35% water + 55% alcohol for alkaloid-containing plants (they’re more soluble this way)
- Add 10% glycerine for tannin-containing plants (so they don’t precipitate)
Tincture usage: considerations
- Dosage and frequency
- Acute vs. Chronic
- Loading dose
- Drop test
- Formulation
Menstruum considerations for alcohol-intolerant folks
- Glycerites
- Vinegars
- Teas
- Powders
Types of alcohol
Often used:
Everclear (95% alcohol)
Vodka (100 proof is 50% alcohol)
Brandy (40- 60% alcohol)
For fun:
Gin, mead, liquor, tequila...
Note: dilute alcohol with distilled water
Fun with alcoholic preparations
- Mixology
- Elixirs (alcohol 2: sweetener 1)
- Cordial (boil 6 C sugar and 5 C water, then add plant, and 3 lemons after)
Some plants to tincture now (autumn in the Northeast)
Roots:
- Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
- Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
- Burdock (Arctium spp.)+seeds
- Docks (Rumex obtusifolius, R. crispus)
- Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
- Barberry (Berberis spp.)
- Evening primrose (Oenothera spp.)
Trees (bark/ twigs)
- Willow (Salix spp.)
- Black birch (Betula lenta)
- Cherry (Prunus serotina)
- Black walnut hulls (Juglans nigra)
- Pine resin (Pinus spp.) +needles
- Sassafras (Sassafras albidum) whole plant
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Trees (leaves)
- Gingko leaves (Gingko biloba)
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Seeds/ fruits
- Rose hips (Rosa spp.)
- Wild carrot (Daucus carota)
Leaves
- Raspberry (Rubus spp.)
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
- Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Fire Cider (basic recipe- please modify!)
1/2 C ginger
1/2 C horseradish
1 onion
10 garlic cloves
2 cayenne peppers
1 lemon
Raw apple cider vinegar (cover)
1/4 C raw local honey
Web Resources
Making tinctures 101, by Kiva Rose
Tincture ratios handout, by 7song
“Solubility Chart,” for scientifically measuring tincture alcohol ratios, by Lisa Ganora
See trusted herb companies for optimal ratios. An example is Herb Pharm.
Tincture Ratios, and so much more by my teacher 7song’s teacher, Michael Moore
Five Flavors “Taste of Herbs” Flavor Wheel, from Rosalee de la Foret
