How to Make a Tincture (Using the Ratio Method)

Herbal tinctures have been commonly made and used for medicinal purposes for centuries. You can learn how to make a tincture right at home using alcohol or glycerin and herbs with this simple ratio method, which is much more reliable (and potent) than the folk method.

For years, I was making tinctures following the folk method. Little did I know, those tinctures on my shelf weren't as potent as what I could buy in the store. Now, the ratio method is the only way I'll make tinctures.

If you’re just getting started with herbal medicine, you might also enjoy our post on building a home herbal apothecary and basic herbal preparations.

Watch Me Make a Tincture

It’s important to note that I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your medical care professional before introducing new herbal remedies into your wellness routine.

Why the Folk Method Falls Short

The traditional folk method works like this:

1. Put herbs in a jar
2. Cover them with alcohol
3. Let them sit
4. Strain

There’s nothing wrong with that method, and it’s how many of our grandmothers did it. The problem is inconsistency.

One batch might be strong.
Another might be weak.
And you have no real way of knowing.

If you’re using tinctures occasionally, that might be fine. But if you want to understand dosing, rely on your remedies, or build confidence in what you’re giving your family, that inconsistency becomes a real problem.

That’s where the ratio method comes in.

What Is the Ratio Method of Tincturing?

The ratio method creates a standardized tincture by measuring:

• The weight of the dried herb (in grams)
• The amount of alcohol added (in grams)

The most common and practical ratio for dried herbs is:

1:5 (one part herb to five parts alcohol, by weight)

This is the same method used by professional herbalists and commercial tincture makers because it allows you to:

• Know exactly how strong your tincture is
• Dose it more accurately
• Reproduce the same results every time

Once I learned how simple this actually is, I realized I’d been overthinking it for years.

Why I Now Use Dried Herbs for Tinctures

You can tincture fresh herbs, but I personally dry nearly everything first.

Here’s why:

• Fresh plants contain varying amounts of water
• That water can dilute your alcohol below preservative levels
• Some plants are much “juicier” than others, and that changes year to year

Drying your herbs removes the guesswork.

If there’s ever any doubt, I dry the plant material first. It makes the ratio method straightforward and dependable.

(We go deeper into drying methods in our posts on how to dry herbs at home and freeze drying vs dehydrating herbs.)

The Best Alcohol for Making Tinctures

When herbalists say “alcohol,” we mean drinkable alcohol only.

Never use rubbing alcohol for tinctures intended for internal use. In fact, Doc Jones recommends not ever using rubbing alcohol, just in case someone grabs hold of it and uses it internally by accident. That's just not a mistake you want to have happen.

For most herbs, vodka is ideal:

• 80–100 proof (40–50% alcohol)
• Extracts both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds
• Affordable and easy to find

Other spirits work chemically the same as long as they’re the right proof, but vodka keeps things simple and consistent.

I only reach for higher-proof alcohol (like Everclear) when:

• Working with very resinous plants
• Tincturing fresh, extremely watery herbs

For everyday tinctures, vodka works beautifully.

Common Herbs Used to Make Tinctures

You can use a long list of herbs and plants to make tinctures. It can be easy to get carried away when planning what to plant in your herb garden. The great thing about herbs is that most of them are perennial, so even if you aren’t ready to use them this year, they should be around for you to use when you are ready for them!

You can use herbs in every season. I encourage you to take the time to read through the list of herbs and what remedies you can make with them to help you narrow down what you need. 

Here is a general list of common herbs used to make tinctures in no particular order. 

• Lavender - Good for calming, easing anxiety, and helping with insomnia. (Source)
• Yarrow - This is the best herb in the world for bleeding! (Source) It’s also great for respiratory health. (Source)
• Arnica - This is excellent at reducing inflammation. Use it to reduce pain and swelling from muscle aches/tension, bruises, bumps and even arthritis. (Source)
• Echinacea - Echinacea is great for boosting your immune system or winter cold and flu prevention. (Source)
• Hops - Hops are a stomachic and very helpful for soothing an upset stomach. But they also have antibacterial properties, making them good for infections in the gut. (Source) Dive deeper with this hops tincture recipe.
• Lemon Balm - Lemon Balm is great for boosting the immune system, calming anxiety and stress, and promoting restful sleep. It also can be applied topically to kill the herpes virus (cold sores, shingles). (Source)

How I Make a Ratio Tincture Step-by-Step

Step 1: Powder the Dried Herbs

I lightly grind dried herbs in a blender to reduce air space and improve extraction. Just be careful not to overheat the herb while grinding and let any dust settle before removing the lid.

Step 2: Weigh the Herbs

Place your empty jar on the scale with the funnel and tare it to zero. Add your powdered herb and note the weight in grams.

Step 3: Add Alcohol at a 1:5 Ratio

For every 1 gram of herb, add 5 grams of alcohol.

Example:

• 100 grams dried herb
• 500 grams vodka

Grams and milliliters are close enough with vodka that this works beautifully at home. For professional herbalists, you will want to convert to milliliters.

Step 4: Shake and Steep

Seal the jar and shake well. Don't forget to label the jar! Store the tincture at room temperature to steep for one to two weeks (or until you're ready to use it), keeping it out of direct sunlight. It's best to store it somewhere you'll remember to shake it daily.

What If My Herbs Absorb All the Alcohol?

Some herbs (like hops or mullein) are incredibly thirsty. If your tincture becomes too thick to shake:

• Increase the ratio to 1:6 or 1:7.
• You can even increase the ratio to 1:10 and simply double the dose.

The goal is practicality, not perfection.

Straining and Bottling

Step 5: Strain the Tincture

Use a tightly woven cloth (butter muslin, cotton cloth, or a clean cotton shirt) and squeeze the tincture gently through the cloth with your hands. You can also use a tool (such as a ricer) or an inexpensive press. Don’t worry about fine sediment settling later; just shake before using.

Homesteading Hack: I recommend wearing nitrile gloves to avoid absorption through your skin. This may or may not matter, depending on the herb, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

Step 6: Label and Store

Label your jar and store finished tinctures in an amber glass bottle or keep them in a dark cupboard. Room temperature is fine. Cold doesn’t hurt tinctures. Excessive heat can.

Homesteading Hack: Always label the herb, the ratio, the alcohol used and the date. Trust me, six months from now, every tincture looks and smells the same.

Why This Method Changed My Herbal Practice

Switching to the ratio method completely changed how confident I feel using herbal remedies.

Now I know what strength of a tincture I'm working with, how to dose more accurately and that what I'm making is consistent and reliable from year to year.

That matters when you’re building a remedy cabinet you truly depend on.

If you want to dive deeper, be sure to check out these other posts on how to design a cottage garden so you can grow medicinal herbs and make herbal remedies such as homemade elderberry syrup, DIY elderberry gummies, bone healing comfrey compress, old-fashioned mustard plaster for chest congestion, an oxymel to soothe a cough, an arnica salve for sore muscles, and so much more.