Dried Plant Tincture

We usually tincture dried plants when fresh ones aren’t available; for example, if you buy rather than grow them. For most plants, fresh is preferred but dried will do. However, a few plants are actually best tinctured when dried. Elderberry, elder flower, cherry bark, and alder bark have mild toxins and/or nauseating properties that are eliminated during the drying process. Many adaptogens, like ashwaganda, are traditionally dried first to enhance potency.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 part by weight dried herb
• 5 parts by volume, 100-proof vodka
• Jar with tight lid

Directions:

• If desired, grind herb coarsely in a blender or crush with a mortar and pestle. This improves extraction but it is not absolutely necessary. Place herb in the jar.
• Cover herb with alcohol. Put on the lid and shake well. Shake regularly, every day or so.
• After at least 1 month, strain the liquid through a cheese cloth.
• Squeeze out as much extract as you can with your hands.
• Pour into a dark glass bottle and store in a cool, dark, dry spot. The tincture will keep for 3 to 10 years!