🌿 How to Make an Herbal Tincture Step by Step: Crafting Medicine & Magic

Tinctures are potent herbal allies—concentrated plant extracts preserved in alcohol or glycerin. They capture the soul of a herb and carry it through time. Making one is simple, powerful, and deeply rooted in folk tradition.

Whether you're building a healing cabinet or a spellworker’s apothecary, here's how to make your own herbal tincture from start to finish.

🪄 Step 1: Choose Your Herb

Select your herb with purpose. Ask: What do I need support with?

Some popular starter herbs:

• Chamomile — for calm and sleep

• Elderberry — for immune boosting

• Lemon balm — for joy and anxiety

• Mugwort — for dreams and intuition

• Echinacea — for seasonal defense

Use dried herbs for consistency or fresh if they’re vibrant and recently picked. Wildcraft with respect and permission.

🍶 Step 2: Gather Your Tools

• A clean glass jar with lid (mason jar works well)

• Your chosen herb (dried or fresh)

• 80–100 proof alcohol (vodka or brandy); for kids, use vegetable glycerin

• A label and pen

• Later: cheesecloth, funnel, and dropper bottles for straining & bottling

Optional: moon phase calendar for timing

🌕 Step 3: Infuse with Intention

1. Fill your jar halfway with dried herb or ¾ with fresh herb

2. Pour in your alcohol or glycerin until the jar is full, covering the herbs completely

3. Use a clean spoon to stir and remove air bubbles

4. Seal the jar tightly

Witch’s tip: Speak your intention aloud as you stir. For example: “Chamomile, bring peace into every drop.”

🌓 Step 4: Let It Steep

• Store your jar in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard)

• Let it steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every day

• You can align the start with a new moon and strain on the full moon for ritual timing

This is when the plant’s spirit fully infuses the liquid—be patient, you’re making slow magic.

🔮 Step 5: Strain & Store

1. Line a funnel with cheesecloth and pour the tincture through into a clean bowl or jar

2. Squeeze out every last drop from the plant material

3. Pour the finished tincture into dark glass dropper bottles

4. Label with herb name, date, and intention

Store in a cool, dark place. Properly made, tinctures last several years.

🌼 Suggested Dosages & Uses

(Always research your chosen herb’s safety first!)

• Adults: ½ to 1 dropper (about 20–30 drops) in water, 1–3 times daily

• Children: Use alcohol-free glycerites, and dose lower (consult a herbalist)

• Add to teas, bath water, or ritual sprays as desired

✨ Optional Magical Enhancements

• Moon-charging: Steep by moon phases for added alignment

• Sigils: Draw on your label or bottle to encode your intention

• Color magic: Use ribbon or ink that matches the herb’s energy (green for healing, blue for calm, etc.)

Making tinctures is the craft of witches, healers, and earth lovers. It’s slow, sacred work — and with every drop, you hold the memory of the plant, the moon, and your intention.