How to Make a Mother Tincture

Mother tinctures are potent herb or mineral dilutions used in homeopathy. Diluted organic extracts are ingested directly or incorporated with other herbs and minerals to prevent illness and ward off maladies. In folklore, tinctures are used for their magical properties in order to bring about favorable occurrences. Herbs are most commonly diluted in alcohol because their active medicinal components are easily extracted by solutions with high ethanol content. Tinctures are used to treat a wide range of ailments. Procure your own mother tincture to partake of its healing benefits.

Things You'll Need

• 2 mason jars
• Cheesecloth
• Pure grain alcohol
• Fresh or dried herbs

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Instructions

• 1

  According to folklore, tinctures are best prepared on the day of the new moon. The new moon is an auspicious time for growth and the initiation of projects. Gather fresh or dried herbs and finely chop or crush them. The more finely the herbs are crushed, the more surface area will be exposed, making the tincture more potent.

• 2

  Prepare your tincture according to a 2:1 ratio. Use one part herb for every two parts alcohol. For example, if using three ounces of herbs, use six ounces of alcohol. Place your herbs in a glass mason jar. The glass should preferably be dark in order to protect the tincture from light.

• 3

  Fill the mason jar with pure grain alcohol, covering the chopped herbs. Pure grain alcohol is high ethanol content alcohol that has been produced by fermenting and distilling grain. 80 to 100 proof alcohol, such as vodka or rum, is ideal for creating a mother tincture.

• 4

  Seal the mason jar securely and shake vigorously. Store your tincture in a dark location, such as a cupboard or pantry. Allow the tincture to steep for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of four weeks. Shake up the mixture at the same time each day, restoring it to its dark location afterward.

• 5

  After two to four weeks of storage, transfer the tincture to a second mason jar. Remove the lid from the first mason jar. Cover the jar's opening with cheesecloth, then re-secure the lid. Strain the liquid from the first jar into the second jar and secure it for future use. Discard of the contents of the first jar. Label and date your completed mother tincture, which will keep for approximately two years.