A tincture is basically a maceration or extract of an herb. The phytotherapist prepares her tinctures in alcohol, either 80 proof brandy (the best tasting menstrum) or 100 proof vodka (best for fresh plant material). The advantages to making and preparing tinctures are as follows:
- They last 3-10 years on the shelf
- Easy to transport little dropper bottles
- Require smaller doses than tea (a definite plus when it comes to bad tasting herbs)
- Rapid absorption and effect on the body because they easily cross the mucous membrane of the mouth
- Alcohol based tinctures quickly get the medicine to the liver
The industry standard is 1:5 weight of herb to volume of alcohol. To achieve this ratio, grain alcohol is used and then water is added back in. ‘The Medicine Maker’s Handbook’ by James Green is an excellent resource for tincturing the mathematical way. For a more intuitive and crafty method with wonderful results is the “wise women” way, a technique coined by Susun S. Weed.
Wise Woman Method:
Fresh plant material: fill clean jar to the top with chopped, fresh plant material. It is best if you do not rinse the herbage, but it should be free of debris and bugs. Add alcohol menstrum to the very top of the jar.
Dried plant material: Fill jar 1/3 of the way with roots and 1/2 the way with above ground parts. Add alcohol to the very top of the jar.
Now for a stronger medicine, it is nice to make a slurry by putting the herbage and the alcohol into a food processor or blender for a few seconds. This really breaks of the cell wall of the plant material and helps everything extract more readily. Compared to the industry standard of 1:5, the wise women tincture is generally 1:8-1:12.
Tinctures need to macerate for at least 6 weeks (longer is not a problem) in a cool, dry, dark place. Keep plant material from spoiling by topping off periodically (that is to add more alcohol so that there in no head space where air can oxidize). Tend to the tincture, shaking and turning daily, taste occasionally.
antique tincture press
Strain the mark from the menstrum using a cheesecloth and a strainer. You may use a clean french press, your hands, filters; find what works best for you. 
Most importantly: label your work! Always shake before taking the tincture, as some parts may have settled.
Standard Dose:
5ml/1tsp 3X/day (can mix in some warm water)
Over age 70, 1/2 the adult dose
Children: weight in lbs/150lbs= fraction of the adult dose
For help with conversions go to www.metric-conversions.org
Handy Conversions:
1oz= 28.349 grams
1ml= .033814 fluid oz
1 fluid oz= 29.5735 ml
May this tutorial find you well. Green Blessings! ~Reishi Roberson
Reishi Roberson, Llc. 