How to Make an Herbal Tincture With Distilled Water

A tincture is a liquid in which herbs have soaked, allowing their scent and properties to transfer into the liquid. Herbal tinctures are often used for alternative health treatments or as an ingredient in cosmetics. Alcohol is the preferred liquid for making tinctures because it increases the shelf life of the finished product, but distilled water is another option for those who prefer a non-alcoholic base.

Things You'll Need

• Herbs
• Distilled water
• Glass canning jars with lids
• Cheesecloth
• Paper bags
• Small dark bottles with stoppers

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Instructions

• 1

  Gather herbs for your tincture. If you’re using fresh herbs from your garden, spray them off with a garden hose to remove dirt, insects and debris before harvesting them. If you're buying the herbs, look for those that have been organically grown. Avoid using herbs grown with pesticides, since the residue will leach into your tincture.

• 2

  Inspect the herbs and cut them into small bits, using the most potent part of the plant. Each herb is different, so look up the properties for your specific herb (see Resources). For instance, echinacea's flowers and leaves contain the beneficial properties, while ginger stores the best stuff in its roots. Other herbs, like elder, produce berries to use in your tinctures.

• 3

  Place the chopped herbs into canning jars, filling them approximately halfway. Use a combination of herbs if you like. For example, try rose petals, lavender and hyssop for an aromatic cosmetic tincture.

• 4

  Pour distilled water over the herbs, filling the canning jar approximately two-thirds full. If you’re using dried herbs, add a little more water, since the herbs will swell as they soak.

• 5

  Wipe debris from the tops of the glass canning jars, then fit them with tight lids. It’s important to create a sealed environment while the tincture steeps.

• 6

  Place each jar in a separate paper bag. The heavy bags from the freezer department of the grocery store are good for this purpose, since they provide a thick light-free barrier. Put the bags and jars on a counter out of direct sunlight.

• 7

  Shake the jars at least once per day to separate any clumps of herbs. Allow the tincture to steep for at least two weeks or up to one month.

• 8

  Drain the finished tincture through unbleached cheesecloth and store it in dark bottles in the refrigerator. Herbal tinctures are good for up to three months in the fridge. Use in cosmetics, teas or as an alternative herbal treatment.