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!