How to Make a Tincture

What on earth is a tincture? It’s a strange sounding word that means soaking an herb/plant/weed in ethanol to extract the medicinal properties. The mixture is left to break down in a jar, in a place that does not get direct sunlight for a minimum of 2 weeks. But it is best to let it soak for around 6 weeks.

The use of tinctures was widely used as medicine for centuries, dating back as far as ancient Egypt. Tinctures were used in western medicine by doctors until pills were manufactured and the pharmaceutical industry ramped up. But, as people are becoming more engaged in their health and researching for themselves, the use of tinctures and herbal medicine is coming back around. People are re-discovering all that God has given us to heal us. It matters what we put in our body!

Purple Dead Nettle

This blog will discuss the use of purple dead nettle in a tincture. Purple Dead Nettle is a weed you will find popping up in the spring time. It has heart shaped leaves that are layered and lead up to a crown of small purple flowers. This seemingly annoying weed actually has a lot of great benefits. One really neat feature is that is can help with seasonal allergies. Now, let’s pause and give God the glory here. There is weed that grows in the spring time, when most people have crazy allergies, and it helps combat allergies?! How good is God?

Benefits of Purple Dead Nettle

• Antihistamine
• High in Vit C, A, K, iron and fiber
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Diuretic
• Antioxodant
• Antifungal
• Antimicrobial

Check out our blog on useful weeds to read in more detail about this weed and two others!

Making a Tincture

The actual process of making a tincture is quite easy. Once you have gathered the preferred herb/weed/plant of your choice, you need to wash it with distilled or purified water. Then, coarsely chop it and gently pat it dry. Then, place it in a mason jar and fill the jar with vodka until the herb is covered completely. Use a tight sealing lid to cover the jar. Place it in a pantry or somewhere that does not receive direct sunlight. Shake the mixture gently every few days. Once the mixture has been stored for 2-6 weeks then strain it with cheesecloth or a mesh strainer.

Adults can take 1 dropper full daily if suffering from seasonal allergies, looking for an immune boost, or trying to decrease inflammation. Children can take a 5 drops daily. Always try a small amount first and see how your body reacts. If after several days you do not see any effects, try increasing the dosage. Remember, natural medicine requires consistency and frequency.

So, the next time you’re on a walk with your kids and see a bunch of purple dead nettle, grab it up and give this a try! Even if you’re the biggest skeptic out there, why don’t you make it and see for yourself if it works?

Purple Dead Nettle Tincture

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Equipment

• 1 Glass Mason Jar
• 1 Tight Seal lid
• 1 Strainer
• 1 Amber Glass Dropper

Ingredients

  

• 1 bottle Vodka
• 2 bunches Purple Dead Nettle

Instructions

 

• Gather a small basket full or two large handfuls of purple dead nettle. Make sure you only pick from an area that has not been treated with chemicals. Inspect the weed for any mildew. Discard if any found.

  2. Pick off the top part of the weed containing the leaves and flowers. This is all you will use. You do not need the long stem.

  3. Wash with distilled or purified water.

  4. Gently pat dry with a paper towel.

  5. Coarsely chop the purple dead nettle.

  6. Place in a mason jar.

  7. Pour the vodka over the leaves and flowers, completely covering them.

  8. Seal the jar with a lid and place in a spot that does not receive direct sunlight.

  Every few days, gently shake the jar. Store for 2-6 weeks. After the mixture has had time to break down, strain it with a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Pour it into an amber glass dropper. It's ready to use!

  Recommended dosage- 1/4 teaspoon or 1 dropper full for an adult. 5 drops for a child. Start with a low dose and see how your body reacts. If after consistent use, you do not see any difference, increase the dosage.

Notes

This site is for information only. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.

_{Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not meant to be medical advice in any capacity. It is informative in nature, only. Please always consult your doctor for medical advice. Pregnant and nursing moms need to consult with their doctors as well before consuming any herbal medicine.}

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