Making an Alcohol-Free Tincture (Glycerite)

Let’s talk about glycerites. They are a favorite in my house. I love alcohol tinctures. They are easy to make, easy to use, and have a long shelf life. But my kids won’t take them! They don’t like the bit of a sting that comes with the alcohol base. So, we make lots of glycerites instead. The vegetable glycerine that we use as a base is thicker than alcohol and has a sweet, almost syrupy, taste. Especially when mixed with a good tasting herb like catnip, it goes down quite easily!

Catnip is useful for all kinds of digestive complaints. As soon as I finished this batch, we immediately had the chance to use it for an upset stomach! My daughter calls it her magic potion. The best part – this herb is so gentle, anyone can use it. In fact, catnip glycerite (or catnip mixed with fennel) is a common remedy for gassy babies.

To make a glycerite:

For every gram of dried herb, add 4mL of vegetable glycerine and 1mL distilled water. (A kitchen scale is very helpful for making tinctures and glycerites. They can be found very affordably online, and are a worthwhile investment.)

Mix with a chopstick to release air bubbles.
Store in a dry dark place, shaking jar regularly, for 2-3 months.
Strain through a metal or plastic strainer to remove large leaves.
Strain again through cheesecloth to remove any remaining bits of herb.
Pour into dropper bottles and label with ingredients and date. Store in a cool, dry place; will keep for 1-2 years.

This formula makes a 1:5 dilution (1 part herb to 5 parts menstruum). This is a common dilution that provides a lot of flexibility in dosing. Standard dosage: 1-3 droppers, as needed. For children under two, 1/2-1 dropper, as needed. For newborns: not recommended until breastfeeding has been well-established (usually 3-4 weeks). Before that time, the mother can ingest the remedy to pass benefits to the baby via breastmilk.

Did you know our PWP certification contains a live herbal medicine making class? Learn categories of herbs, their uses, safety during pregnancy and postpartum, and how to consult with clients about all areas of natural health.