Ingredients
Scale
Using 151-proof grain alcohol
12 fl oz neutral grain alcohol, 151 proof
1/2 fl oz distilled water
1 1/2 fl oz glycerin
Using 190-proof grain alcohol
9 1/2 fl oz neutral grain alcohol, 151 proof
3 fl oz distilled water
1 1/2 fl oz glycerin
Instructions
- Roughly chop self-heal flowers, leaves and stems.
- Fill a 1-pint mason jar to about the 3/4 mark with fresh self-heal. Pack it in, but not too tightly — you want the menstruum to be able to flow freely around the herb.
- Add neutral grain alcohol, distilled water and glycerin, stirring to combine. Add additional menstruum if needed to fully submerge the herb, keeping the alcohol : water : glycerin ratios consistent.
- Shake the jar daily, helping all of the plant matter to come in contact with the solvent.
- In 2 to 3 weeks, your tincture should be ready to strain and use. Use a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag, squeezing the plant pulp to get every last drop. You may need to strain multiple times to remove all plant sediment from the tincture.
- Transfer to a clean glass bottle or jar with a tight-fitting lid — preferably an amber or dark colored bottle with UV protection. Store in dark place out of direct sunlight.
- Remember to label your tincture bottle with information such as the herb name (botanical and common), whether your tincture was made from fresh or dried herbs, the alcohol and glycerine percentages you used, plus the date. It’s also useful to include info about the tincture’s purpose and dosing recommendations so you don’t have to look it up each time you want to use your tincture.
Notes
Adult dosage: 30-60 drops diluted in water, 3-5 times daily (Richo Cech, Making Plant Medicine)
Children’s dosage: 5-15 drops diluted in water, 3-5 times daily (Richo Cech, Making Plant Medicine)
