Herbs & Cultures

From plant to use

Tincture

Steeping herbs in alcohol for a concentrated extract that keeps for years.

Herbs prepared this way (208)

Level: Intermediate
Ratio: Traditionally 1 part dried herb to 5 parts liquid (weight to volume), for example 20 g in 100 ml of 40–60% alcohol.
Time: Steep for 2–6 weeks in a dark place; shake briefly every day.
Shelf life: Several years, stored dark and cool.

A tincture is an extract in alcohol, often mixed with water. Alcohol dissolves compounds that dissolve poorly in water and also preserves, so a tincture keeps for years. Tinctures are typical of European herbalism and are used in small amounts, usually diluted in water.

Suited to

Dried roots, bark, berries, resins and leaves. Fresh herbs work too, with stronger alcohol.

Step by step

Cut or grind the dried herb coarsely and weigh it.
Put it in the jar and pour in alcohol until everything is well covered.
Close the jar, label it with the name, ratio, alcohol percentage and date, and store it in the dark.
Shake daily and top up if herb rises above the liquid.
After a few weeks, strain, press the herb out well and bottle the tincture in dark bottles.

Tips

Fresh herbs contain a lot of water. Use alcohol of 60% or more so the tincture does not go mouldy.
Always write down the ratio and alcohol percentage: together they determine the strength.

Registry

Herbs prepared this way

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

Caution
Europe · Herb · № 102
Great mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Leaves and flowers contain mucilage and are traditionally used for irritating coughs and bronchitis; the flower oil for earache. Clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+4
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 231
Coriander
Coriandrum sativum
Traditionally attributed effects: aromatic, stimulating, carminative, stomachic, cooling, tonic, diuretic; for flatulence, colic, rheumatism, nerve pain, sore throat, indigestion, vomiting, colds, bile complaints.
Greco-Roman medicine+5Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 338
Yellow dock
Rumex crispus
Traditionally attributed effects: strongly laxative, promotes bile, cleansing.
Western herbal medicine+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 136
Kudzu
Pueraria montana var. lobata
The root (ge gen) is used in Chinese medicine for fever, stiff neck and thirst. Small studies have looked at kudzu for reducing alcohol use, with mixed results.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 510
Kurchi
Holarrhena antidysenterica
Traditionally attributed effects: bitter, stomachic, astringent, strongly antidysenteric, fever-reducing, expels worms; for acute and chronic (amoebic) dysentery and diarrhoea, bile complaints, fever, haemorrhoids, roundworms and threadworms.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 580
Couch grass
Elymus repens
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, soothing, astringent; for kidney and bladder complaints (kidney stones, interstitial cystitis), helps regulate blood sugar.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 6
Lovage
Levisticum officinale
The leaf tastes of stock and celery. In folk medicine the root was used as a diuretic and for bloating; research is lacking.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 44
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
A fragrant plant used in bath products, perfume, and aromatherapy. Evidence for medical effects is preliminary.
Greco-Roman medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 191
Rowan
Sorbus aucuparia
The orange berries are rich in vitamin C and are eaten cooked; raw they contain parasorbic acid, which irritates the stomach and bowel. A medicinal effect has hardly been studied.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 226
Linden
Tilia × europaea
Traditionally attributed effects: calming nerve remedy, induces sweating, vasodilating, restores the vessel walls, lowers blood pressure.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Mushroom · № 41
Lingzhi (reishi)
Ganoderma lucidum
A bracket fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine; evidence for treatment effects in people is limited.
Chinese medical traditions+3
Caution
Europe · Other · № 588
Lungwort lichen
Lobaria pulmonaria
Traditionally attributed effects: antioxidant, expectorant; reduces inflammation in the airways and intestines, supports the lungs and helps with sinusitis.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Food · № 131
Sacred lotus
Nelumbo nucifera
Almost every part is used: seeds for diarrhoea and restlessness, rhizome as food, leaf for 'summer heat'. Scientific evidence is mostly laboratory research.
Ayurveda+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 211
Sweet violet
Viola odorata
Traditionally attributed effects: V. odorata anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, antitumour; V. tricolor expectorant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antirheumatic, laxative, strengthens capillaries.
Western herbal medicine+3Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 370
Oregon grape
Mahonia aquifolium
Traditionally attributed effects: cleansing, purifies the blood, tonic, stimulating, supports the liver; improves appetite and digestion, promotes liver and bile secretion, purifies the blood, helps with skin problems, sudden diarrhoea and chronic constipation.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+1
Caution
Asia · Mushroom · № 589
Maitake
Grifola frondosa
Traditionally attributed effects: adaptogen; activates immune cells against cancer (macrophages, NK cells, T cells), reduces stress and strengthens resistance to colds and flu.
Chinese medical traditions+2
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 113
White horehound
Marrubium vulgare
A bitter herb traditionally used for coughs with sticky phlegm and bronchitis. In Europe it is recognised as a traditional herbal medicine; clinical evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+3Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 239
Mistletoe
Viscum album
Traditionally attributed effects: slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, antitumour.
Western herbal medicine+1Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 46
Milk thistle
Silybum marianum
Promoted for liver disorders, but there is not enough high-quality evidence of effects in people.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 47
Hawthorn
Crataegus monogyna, C. laevigata (en C. pinnatifida)
Studied for heart failure with conflicting results. For most conditions there is little or no good evidence.
Monastic and folk knowledge+3Folklore
Caution
Africa · Other · № 28
Myrrh
Commiphora myrrha
A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.
Ancient Egyptian medicine+6Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 96
Feverfew
Tanacetum parthenium
Best known for preventing migraine. NCCIH notes the evidence is conflicting: some studies find a small effect, others do not.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 71
Meadowsweet
Filipendula ulmaria
Contains salicylates. Traditionally used for heartburn, an irritated stomach and joint pain. Clinical research is scarce.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 629
Mormon tea
Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
South America · Herb · № 864
Murta (Chilean guava)
Ugni molinae
A shrub of the myrtle family with fragrant red berries. Mainly a food plant; the leaf was used as an astringent.
Mapuche medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 509
Musk mallow
Hibiscus abelmoschus
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, carminative, cooling, diuretic, soothing, stomachic, antispasmodic, tonic; for nervous weakness, hysteria, indigestion, gonorrhoea, catarrh of the bladder and airways, itching.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 39
Neem
Azadirachta indica
Used for centuries in traditional medicine in India, but there is insufficient clinical evidence of medical benefits.
Ayurveda+3
Caution
North America · Herb · № 153
Osha
Ligusticum porteri, L. sinense en L. wallichii
The root is traditionally used for sore throats, coughs and early colds. There is virtually no clinical research.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 97
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
The leaf is mildly diuretic; the bitter root was used for the liver and digestion. NCCIH notes there is little human research.
Avicenna's Canon in European universities+6Folklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 154
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata
Used for anxiety and sleep problems. NCCIH notes some indications of an effect on anxiety but limited evidence.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 522
Chinaberry
Melia azedarach
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, tonic, antipyretic, expels worms; fruit laxative; oil insecticidal and antiseptic.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 326
Partridge berry
Mitchella repens
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulates the uterus, tonic, restorative, astringent, diuretic.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
South America · Herb · № 165
Pau d'arco
Handroanthus impetiginosus (syn. Tabebuia avellanedae)
The inner bark is sold for fungal infections, inflammation and as a 'cancer remedy'. There is no reliable human evidence; its active compound lapachol proved too toxic at effective doses.
The Guaraní and the mate tradition+2
Caution
Europe · Food · № 259
Carrot
Daucus carota
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, tonic, carminative; expels kidney and bladder stones, relieves lower back pain from the kidneys, reduces oedema, restores the bladder, stimulates digestion; seed traditionally as a contraceptive.
Western herbal medicine+4Folklore
Caution
Oceania · Herb · № 178
Asthma weed
Euphorbia hirta
Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge+4
Caution
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 167
Lignum vitae
Guaiacum officinale
The resin and wood were used for rheumatic complaints and gout; guaiac resin is still used in the guaiac test for blood in stool. There is no modern evidence for its classic uses.
Herbal knowledge of the Caribbean+1