Ingredients & Supplies
You can choose any culinary-safe, fully legal herb such as:
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Lavender
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Chamomile
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Peppermint or spearmint
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Lemon balm
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Rosemary
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Sage
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Thyme
Then gather:
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Dried herbs (½ cup)
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High-proof, food-grade alcohol (like vodka or Everclear diluted to about 40–50%)
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Glass jar with a lid
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Strainer or cheesecloth
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Small dropper bottles or mason jar for storage
🌿 Traditional Herbal Tincture Method
1. Prepare Your Herbs
Use clean, dry herbs.
Dried herbs are preferred because they contain less moisture, which helps with shelf stability.
You can lightly crush them with your hands to expose more surface area — totally optional.
2. Fill Your Jar
Place the dried herbs into your glass jar, filling it about ½ to ¾ full without packing too tightly.
3. Add Your Alcohol
Pour your alcohol over the herbs until they’re fully submerged by at least an inch.
This is important because anything exposed to air can spoil.
Common choices:
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Vodka (neutral flavor)
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White rum (sweet notes)
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Everclear diluted with distilled water
4. Seal & Store
Close the jar tightly.
Place it in a cool, dark place like:
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a pantry
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a cupboard
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a cabinet
Give the jar a gentle shake every few days to keep everything moving.
Traditionally, people let tinctures steep anywhere from 2–6 weeks depending on preference.
5. Strain the Liquid
Once the herbs have infused, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine strainer into a clean bowl or jar.
Gently press the herbs to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
6. Bottle & Label
Pour the finished tincture into glass dropper bottles or a sealed mason jar.
Always label:
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the herb used
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the alcohol base
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the date made
Store in a cool, dark place to maintain quality.
Ideas for Legal, Non-Medical Uses
You can use herbal tinctures as:
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natural fragrance bases
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homemade room sprays
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botanical craft ingredients
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herbal cleaning blends
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DIY perfume or cologne bases
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apothecary décor
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additions to bath products
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gift-making projects
(If adding tinctures to skin-or bath-related items, always check for skin sensitivities.)