Creating Herbal Tinctures and Salves

Creating homemade tinctures and salves is a rewarding way to harness the healing power of plants. Follow these steps to get started on your herbal medicine journey.

​Making Tinctures

• ​Materials: You will need fresh or dried herbs, a high-proof alcohol (like vodka orEverclear), a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, and a dropper bottle for storage.

• ​Method:

  1. ​Fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs, or 3/4 full with fresh herbs.

  2. ​Pour alcohol over the herbs, ensuring they are completely submerged.

  3. ​Seal the jar and shake well. Label it with the date and contents.

  4. ​Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily.

  5. ​After steeping, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve into a clean dropper bottle. Your tincture is now ready to use.

​Making Salves

• ​Materials: You will need an oil infused with herbs (see below), beeswax pastilles, a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl and a pot, and tins or jars for storage.

• ​Method:

  1. ​First, create an infused oil by placing dried herbs in a jar and covering them with a carrier oil like olive or almond oil. Let it sit in a sunny spot for 2-4 weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain the oil before use.

  2. ​In a double boiler, melt beeswax pastilles into the infused oil using a ratio of about 1 oz beeswax to 4 oz oil for a firm salve.

  3. ​Once the beeswax is fully melted, carefully pour the liquid into your tins or jars.

  4. ​Let the salve cool and harden completely before sealing.

​Enjoy the process of creating your own natural remedies!

*AI assisted*