How to Make a Tincture

Tinctures are used in salves or as is. Oils are used mainly as salves and alcohol based tinctures are used internally.
To prepare a tincture, gather a glass jar, the herb or herbs that you wish to use, and some alcohol (vodka) or olive oil. This will be prepared much like the flower essences above, but you will allow the flowers to sit for several weeks instead of several days.

Oil Based Tinctures
Place the herb inside the jar and cover it with the olive oil. Seal the jar and place it somewhere where it will receive sunlight for several weeks. Three, six and nine are good numbers of weeks to allow the tincture to sit. After you take the tincture inside, you can strain out the herbs if you like. Add several tablespoons of honey to the oil or two broken vitamin E capsules to the tincture to serve as a preservative. Be sure to label each bottle as to its contents and uses.

Alcohol Based Tinctures
Make the alcoholic tinctures the same way you would the oil based tinctures. Pour some kind of alcohol over the herbs such as vodka. Since alcohol is a wonderful preservative, you will not need to add any other preservatives. Pour the tincture into sterile glass bottles and label them with their contents and directions for use. Alcoholic tinctures are added to juice and teas as remedies for such things as headache, joint pain, cramps, cold, etc.