Tinctures

tincture-page Tinctures—used for illness, ailment, attitude, and other forms of physical and mental adjustment or health—are highly concentrated herbal extracts. When taken internally, they are the fastest, most efficient way to absorb the benefits of herbs into the bloodstream. Some have topical benefits as well, listed individually.

The general dosage is 1-2 dropperfuls 2-3 times a day (more information on that available on the FAQ page and on individual herbs below). Remember, herbal tinctures can pack a punch and offer no “true” standard dosage, so you should always start with the smallest suggested dose and adjust per your body weight and metabolism as necessary. Known, common, or suggested warnings are listed but are also generalized.

Remember, 1-2 dropperfuls are the same as a cup of tea. Don’t always have time to boil water and steep tea? Keep this handy for those times you need your herbal assistance right now.

Quick Reference Guide Ailment: Herb/Tincture (best option italicized)
aches or soreness: peppermint – skullcap
blood pressure: chamomile – hawthorn – lavender – lemon balm – valerian
cold & flu: chamomile – echinacea – elderberry – peppermint
concentration or memory: lemon balm – peppermint
cramps: chamomile – lavender – skullcap – valerian
depression: chamomile – lavender – lemon balm
fever: elderberry – peppermint – skullcap
headache: lavender – lemon balm – peppermint
indigestion: lemon balm – peppermint
insomnia: chamomile – lavender – lemon balm – valerian
joints: peppermint – skullcap
stomach ache: chamomile – lavender – lemon balm – peppermint
stress & nerves: chamomile – hawthorn – lavender – lemon balm

Single Herb Tinctures

Peppermint Tincture
The anti-tummy trouble, energizing herb

keywords: stomach, headaches, fever, energy.
Ingredients: Peppermint, Alcohol. 2 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Peppermint has been used for centuries to help with upset stomachs, nervous tummies, headaches (can be taken orally or topically by rubbing a drop directly onto the temple), to reduce fever, to aid with aches and pains, and to increase energy. In our home, we concentrate on the tummy issues and using it instead of caffeine for energy, and I take one dropperful at the first signs of a headache, or as I call them afterward, the last signs of a headache. (click image for more views)

*Avoid while breastfeeding, if you have gallstones or suffer from any condition that gives you the chills. Overuse can cause heartburn.

Lemon Balm Tincture
The chill out herb

keywords: stress, anxiety, blood pressure, insomnia, concentration, nightmare prevention.
Ingredients: Lemon Balm, Alcohol. 2 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Lemon Balm, like many herbs, has multiple benefits. Whether it’s to chill you out mentally by relaxing nerves and stress, or calming you physically by lowering blood pressure and alleviating insomnia, this member of the mint family is a favorite for relaxation. But it also helps lift spirits, prevents nightmares, and improves concentration. Great for children at bedtime to alleviate bad dreams and amazing during the day to help you concentrate. Alone or in multi-herb tinctures and teas, this is always available in my house, whether fresh, dried, or tincture. (click image for more views)

*May cause drowsiness, can lower thyroid function if overused (use sparingly or with caution if you have hypothyroidism).

Chamomile Tincture
The calming herb

keywords: stress, nerves, insomnia, pain.
Ingredients: Chamomile, Alcohol. 2-3 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Similar to lemon balm, this herb will relax you, but where lemon balm is going to help you deal with your stress, this will help you just let it go. Excellent for nerves, insomnia and pain, this is the perfect herb for PMS moodiness, which is why it is so popular in teas. This amazing herb will also clear toxins, reduce inflammation, and promotes tissue repair. It’s the hypochondriacs herb and perfect tonic for those who seem to always have something wrong. (click image for more views)

*Do not take if you have ragweed allergies, are taking blood thinners or sedatives, or are pregnant. Overuse may cause diarrhea or throat irritation.

Lavender Tincture
The mood herb

keywords: insomnia, depression, hysteria, mood, and anxiety.
Ingredients: Lavender, Alcohol. 1-2 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Good for anxiety, depression, hysteria, and as a general mood leveler. And while valerian (below) will knock you out, lavender will help you drift rather than drop into sleep—some people get sleepy simply by smelling lavender. This is a great tincture for bedtime when it’s been a stressful day and you just want to slip into a nice relaxing sleep… so you can get up and do it all again. (click image for more views)

*Do not take with sedatives or hypnotic drugs, or while pregnant.

Hawthorn Tincture
The heart herb

keywords: heart, circulation, blood pressure.
Ingredients: Hawthorn, Alcohol. 1 dropperful, 1-2 times a day.

Okay, not just the heart—hawthorn is so good for the circulatory system in general it is amazing. This herb will help regulate irregular heartbeats, balance blood pressure (not just lower or raise, but do whichever your body needs—now that is handy!), but it can also help with sore throats, as well as relax you and calm your spirits. (click image for more views)

*Should not be taken with heart medication and certain blood pressure meds, including beta blockers, as it can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels by causing the medication to work on hyper drive. Overuse can cause nausea, fatigue or sweating.

Elderberry Tincture
The immunities herb

keywords: cold, flu, immunities.
Ingredients: Elderberry, Alcohol. 2 dropperfuls, 1-5 times a day.

This herb is incredibly powerful for the immune system, to either prevent viruses from taking hold of you or shortening the amount of time you are actually sick. It is used in many over-the-counter and prescription cold medications, and has been used by gypsies, American Indians, mountain shaman, and many more over the years. A must-have in the medicine cabinet! We keep a fresh batch of homemade elderberry syrup in the fridge during cold and flu season: a swig a day keeps the cold bugs away. (click image for more views)

*Overuse can cause nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Do not take with anti-diabetic meds, laxatives, if you have an autoimmune disorder, or when pregnant or nursing.

Echinacea Tincture
The cold and flu and more herb

keywords: colds, flu, immune system, sinuses, fever.
Ingredients: Echinacea, Alcohol. 1-3 dropperfuls, 1-5 times a day.

Echinacea has become a buzz word in the last couple of years, but its use goes back centuries. Not only will this help with the immune system, sinus issues, fevers, and cold symptoms, this multipurpose herb cleanses the blood, is used for thyroid issues, and has antiseptic properties. Best used at the onset of a cold (unlike elderberry which is powerful all the way through the virus’s course), this herb is found along side several others in teas currently on the market, and in our home as both a solo and multi-herb tincture. (click image for more views)

*Do not take while pregnant or with autoimmune disorders. Overuse can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, GI problems, rashes, or difficulty breathing.

Valerian Tincture
Night-night herb

keywords: sleep, pain, stress.
Ingredients: Valerian root, Alcohol. 1-3 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Like many herbs, valerian will ease pain and stress, but this one will knock you out in the process. Nature’s knock-out drops, this provides sleep to even the most stubborn insomniacs. Alone or combined with other herbs for dual and/or differing effects, this is the go-to sleep aid. If taking for pain, use 1 dropperful 3 times a day. If taking for sleep, use 2-3 dropperfuls at bedtime. (click image for more views)

*Will cause drowsiness. Do not take when pregnant, if you have low blood pressure, with sedatives, antidepressants or anti-anxiety meds. Do not mix with alcohol or take for more than two weeks at a time.

Skullcap Tincture
The pain-free herb

keywords: fever, cramps, infection, addiction, mood.
Ingredients: Skullcap, Alcohol. 1-2 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Useful against fever, cramps, and even infection, this herb is a go-to in the medicine cabinet. Used in our house for growing pains and PMS pain relief—a quick-tea for the young boy or teenage girl is appreciated and even requested on occasion. Also great for balancing mood swings, calming anger or hysteria, and as an aid in the treatment of addictions, especially alcoholism. (click image for more views)

*Do not take with blood thinners or statins, while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Multi-Herb Tinctures

Clarity
aka Fix and Focus

Ingredients: Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Alcohol. 2 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Combining the calming properties of lemon balm with the perk offered by peppermint, this is the perfect natural alternative to caffeine. Used by our worry wart, it is better for him than caffeine and calms his nerves while helping his blood pressure, soothes his stomach, and keeps him focused on the task at hand. (click image for more views)

*Overuse can result in an upset stomach, heartburn, and feeling hyper. 2 doses a day (at start of day and after lunch) is more than enough for our worry wart workaholic. Avoid while breastfeeding. Can lower thyroid function if overused (use sparingly or with caution if you have hypothyroidism).

Tranquility
aka Happy Hour

Ingredients: Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Alcohol. 2 dropperfuls, 1-3 times a day.

Chamomile and lemon balm together is a beautiful blend, as both these herbs have calming benefits. Working on your stress, anxiety and nerves, turning to this rather than a cocktail when you walk in the door after a hard day, is so much healthier for you. And comes with the added bonus of alleviating any budding stress-headaches and boosting your general disposition. (click image for more views)

*May cause drowsiness. Do not take if you have ragweed allergies. Can lower thyroid function if overused (use sparingly or with caution if you have hypothyroidism).

Forty Winks
for Restful Sleep

Ingredients: Valerian Root, Chamomile, Alcohol. 1-3 dropperfuls at bedtime.

By combining the sleep inducing qualities of these two herbs, we adjust that sleep by using the chamomile to help you relax before you fall asleep, while the valerian keeps you asleep for a full night of rest. (click image for more views)

*Will cause sleep. Not for use with ragweed allergies, while pregnant, if you have low blood pressure, or with sedatives, antidepressants, or anti-anxiety meds. Do not take more than two weeks at a time.

These are handmade with the specified herbs and 80 proof vodka. Period. You can pronounce everything in them and there are no additives, color or otherwise. Unlike many of the medicines available on the market, they do not come with a list of side-effects longer than their ingredients, and that reason is precisely why we use them in our house.

Disclaimer: Information and statements provided have not been evaluated by the FDA and are for educational purpose only. These are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please take responsibility and check any and all medications, conditions, allergies, etc. you have against reactions to any given herb, or speak to a doctor before using if you have any serious medical conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are currently taking medication. Keep out of reach of children. Use at own risk.

As well as those listed, I have made multi-herb tinctures for specific remedies for friends and family, and am not opposed to working with you for customized products. It never hurts to ask!

All products are available through our Etsy shop