The Public Herbarium

Making Herbal Tinctures: Your Complete Beginner’s Guide

Create potent, long-lasting herbal extracts using alcohol. Tinctures are concentrated (small doses effective), long shelf life (years), extract both water/alcohol-soluble compounds, convenient (drops in water). DIY $15-25/500ml vs. commercial $20-40/100ml.

What This Guide Will Teach You

Tinctures are one of the most concentrated, versatile, and long-lasting herbal preparations you can make. These alcohol-based liquid extracts capture the full therapeutic potential of medicinal plants, create medicines that last for years, and provide precise dosing in convenient dropper bottles.

This guide will teach you why alcohol is the superior extraction solvent for many herbs, how to determine the correct alcohol percentage for different plant materials, which herbs make the best tinctures, and how to create potent, shelf-stable liquid medicines. By the end, you’ll be making professional-quality tinctures that extract therapeutic compounds water and oil cannot access.

What Exactly Is a Tincture?

A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made by steeping herbs in alcohol (or sometimes glycerin or vinegar). The alcohol acts as a powerful solvent, extracting both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds from plant material. The result is a potent medicine that’s easy to dose, fast-acting, and shelf-stable for years.

Key characteristics:

Alcohol percentage: typically 25-95% depending on plant material

Extraction time: 2-6 weeks (or longer for tough materials)

Shelf life: 3-5+ years when properly made

Dosing: by drops or millilitres, highly concentrated

Administration: straight under tongue, mixed in water, or added to beverages

Why Tinctures Work Differently

Tinctures offer unique advantages that make them indispensable in any herbal medicine cabinet.

Broad-spectrum extraction: Alcohol is both polar and non-polar (amphipathic), meaning it extracts a wider range of compounds than water or oil alone. It captures:

•   Alkaloids: morphine, caffeine, berberine
•   Volatile oils and resins
•   Many glycosides
•   Flavonoids and polyphenols
•   Tannins
•   Some polysaccharides

Rapid absorption: Taken sublingually (under the tongue), alcohol tinctures begin absorbing within seconds through the mucous membranes, bypassing digestion. This provides faster onset than capsules, teas, or food-based preparations.

Precise dosing: Droppers allow you to measure exact doses. This is critical for herbs with narrow therapeutic windows or when you need to titrate dosage carefully.

Long shelf life: Properly made tinctures remain potent for 3-5+ years. This makes them ideal for herbs you use occasionally or for emergency preparations.

Convenience: Small bottles are portable. You can carry therapeutic doses in your bag, take them to work, or travel with your herbal pharmacy without refrigeration or special storage.

Palatability (for some): Many people find a few drops of tincture in water more palatable than drinking multiple cups of bitter tea.

The Science Behind Alcohol Extraction

Understanding what’s happening chemically helps you make better tinctures.

Why Alcohol Works

Alcohol (ethanol) has a unique molecular structure: one hydrophilic (water-loving) end and one lipophilic (fat-loving) end. This dual nature makes it an exceptional solvent.

What happens during extraction:

Cell wall penetration: Alcohol disrupts plant cell walls and membranes, allowing compounds to diffuse out

Dissolution: Once released, compounds dissolve into the alcohol according to their solubility

Concentration gradient: As compounds dissolve, fresh solvent continues contacting plant material, extracting more compounds

Preservation: High alcohol content creates an environment hostile to microbial growth

Alcohol percentages matter:

Fresh vs. Dried Plant Material

Dried herbs (most common for beginners):

Fresh herbs (more advanced):

For beginners: start with dried herbs. Master the process, then explore fresh plant tinctures once you understand the principles.

Your First Tincture: The Basic Method

Let’s walk through making your first tincture step by step.

What You Need

Ingredients:

Equipment:

No fancy equipment needed—these are common kitchen items.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Choose your herb and prepare it

Select a dried herb appropriate for tincture-making. Good beginner choices:

Echinacea root (immune support)

Valerian root (sleep, anxiety)

Ginger root (digestion, anti-inflammatory)

Calendula flowers (wound healing, anti-inflammatory)

Hawthorn berries (cardiovascular support)

If using roots or bark, chop or grind them into small pieces. This increases surface area for better extraction. Leaves and flowers can be left whole or crumbled lightly.

Step 2: Fill your jar with herbs

Simple folk method: Fill jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with chopped dried herbs. This ratio works well for most herbs and is very forgiving.

More precise method (1:5 ratio):

Weigh your jar empty

Add 100g dried herb

Calculate: you’ll need 500ml alcohol (5× the herb weight)

For beginners, the folk method is perfectly fine.

Step 3: Add alcohol

Pour your chosen alcohol over the herbs until they’re completely covered plus an additional 2-5cm of liquid above. The herbs will absorb alcohol and expand slightly, so extra liquid is important.

Alcohol options in New Zealand:

Step 4: Label everything

Step 5: Store and shake

Place jar in a cool, dark location (cupboard, pantry—”away from direct sunlight and heat sources).

Shake daily for the first week, then 2-3× per week for the remainder of extraction time. Shaking redistributes plant material, ensures all material contacts fresh solvent, and enhances extraction.

Step 6: Wait patiently

Minimum extraction time: 2 weeks

Standard: 4-6 weeks

For tough materials (roots, bark, seeds): 6-8 weeks or longer

Patience is key. Longer extraction generally means more complete extraction, especially for tough plant materials.

Step 7: Strain and bottle

Step 8: Compost the spent herbs

The extracted plant material (“marc”) can go in compost. It’s depleted of medicinal compounds but still contains beneficial organic matter.

Step 9: Store and use

Store tinctures in dark glass in a cool location. Properly made tinctures last 3-5 years or longer.

Typical adult dosage: 1-3ml (20-60 drops) diluted in water, 1-3× daily, depending on herb and condition. Always start with lower doses and increase as needed.

Understanding Alcohol Percentages

Different plants require different alcohol percentages for optimal extraction. Here’s why and how to choose.

The Principle

Alcohol percentage determines what dissolves:

Practical Guidelines

Use 40-50% alcohol (vodka) for:

Examples: rosemary, thyme, ginger root, valerian root, echinacea root

Use 75-95% alcohol for:

In practice: For beginners, standard vodka (40-50%) works for 90% of dried herbs. As you advance, you can dial in specific percentages for optimal extraction.

Where to Source Your Materials in New Zealand

Dried Herbs

Physical stores:

Online suppliers:

Quality indicators:

Cost expectations:

Alcohol

Liquor stores:

Vodka (37-50%): Widely available, $35-50/700ml

Brandy (37-40%): $25-40/700ml

High-proof vodka: Specialty liquor stores, $40-60/700ml

Buying in bulk: For regular tincture-making, buying larger bottles or multiple bottles reduces cost per ml.

Avoid flavoured vodkas—”herbs provide flavour. Clear, neutral spirits work best.

Bottles and Supplies

Glass jars: Mason jars from hardware stores, kitchenware shops, or online. $5-10 for set of jars.

Dropper bottles:

Health food stores: $2-5 each

Online: Bulk packs more economical ($15-25 for 12 bottles)

Amber or cobalt glass protects tinctures from light degradation

Common sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 100ml

Cheesecloth/muslin: Fabric shops, kitchen supply stores, $5-10/metre

Funnels: Cheap kitchen funnels work fine, $2-5

Specific Herbs That Excel as Tinctures

Some herbs work particularly well as tinctures due to their chemistry or traditional use.

For Immune Support

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea/angustifolia):

Botanical drawing of Echinacea (Echinacea purperea)
Echinacea (Echinacea purperea)

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra):

Elder (Sambucus nigra) berries
Elder (Sambucus nigra)

For Sleep and Nervous System

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis):

botanical drawing of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata):

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) leaves and flower
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis):

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

For Digestive Support

Ginger root (Zingiber officinale):

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) root
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Bitters blend (gentian, dandelion, orange peel, ginger):

For Pain and Inflammation

Turmeric (Curcuma longa):

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) one has been cut open to show inside
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum):

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) leaves and flowers
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Alcohol-Free Alternatives: Glycerites

For children, people in recovery from alcohol addiction, or those who prefer alcohol-free preparations, glycerin-based tinctures (glycerites) are an option. See our glycerites guide for more details.

Glycerin (glycerol):

Making glycerites:

Best herbs for glycerites:

Cost: Glycerin in NZ approximately $15-25/litre at health stores or online.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Problem: Mould growing on plant material

Cause: Insufficient alcohol coverage, herbs not fully submerged, or contamination.

Solution: Discard immediately. Do not try to salvage. Start over ensuring complete submersion. If using fresh herbs, ensure high enough starting alcohol percentage.

Prevention: Keep herbs fully covered with at least 2-5cm alcohol above plant material. Check regularly during first week.

Problem: Tincture tastes weak

Cause: Insufficient extraction time, too much alcohol (diluted), poor quality herbs, or herbs past their potency.

Solution: If still macerating, continue for several more weeks. If already strained, accept and adjust dosage upward, or remake.

Prevention: Use fresh, quality herbs. Allow adequate extraction time (minimum 4 weeks, 6-8 for roots). Use appropriate alcohol percentage.

Problem: Sediment in finished tincture

Cause: Normal—”small plant particles pass through straining.

Solution: Let settle for 24 hours after straining, then carefully decant clear liquid off sediment. Or, strain through coffee filter (slow but effective).

Sediment doesn’t affect potency or safety—”it’s just aesthetics.

Problem: Unclear on dosage

Cause: Different herbs require different doses; concentrated medicine requires precision.

Solution:

Problem: Alcohol burns/tastes too strong

Solution:

Building Your Tincture Practice

Start simple. Choose one herb you know well, one that’s safe and has clear uses. Make a single-herb tincture using the folk method.

Wait the full 4-6 weeks. Be patient. Observe the process—”watch the colour deepen as compounds extract, notice how the plant material changes texture.

Strain carefully. Bottle properly. Label meticulously.

Use it. Notice effects. Adjust dosing. Keep notes.

Then make another. Try a different herb. Experiment with ratios if you’re feeling confident. Combine herbs for specific purposes.

Over time, you’ll build a personal pharmacy of tinctures tailored to your family’s needs. A shelf of amber bottles representing years of learning, containing potent medicines that last for years.

Tincture-making is patient work, but the results—”concentrated, long-lasting, precisely dosed medicines—”make it worthwhile.

Sources & Further Reading

Books:

New Zealand Resources:

References

Disclaimer: Does not represent rongoā Māori methods. Alcohol extraction NOT traditional to rongoā Māori. For rongoā knowledge, consult Te Paepae Motuhake.

Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Tinctures are appropriate for supporting general health and minor conditions. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications (especially diabetes medications, diuretics, or medications affected by acidity), or have digestive conditions like active ulcers or severe GERD, seek guidance from a qualified health practitioner before using. Properly identify all herbs. The information about plant constituents, mechanisms of action, and traditional uses is educational in nature.

Note on Pricing: All prices mentioned in this guide are approximate and based on New Zealand suppliers as of December 2025. Prices vary by supplier, season, and market conditions. We recommend checking current prices with your local suppliers.

The Public Herbarium is built on a foundation of scientific integrity, transparency, and care. Research sources are referenced throughout the site wherever possible. Content creation is assisted by AI tools and carefully reviewed for accuracy.