How to Make an Echinacea Tincture
Cold and flu season is approaching friends. Well, let’s be honest, the last thing most of us are worried about is the basic cold and flu these days. In reality, the cold & flu is like getting a mosquito bite compared to COVID-19, right?
Well regardless of what’s worse, or gives us more anxiety, I am still a firm believer that taking care of yourself is very important this time of year. There are so many herbs with health benefits - be sure to read about elderberry here - but one good ‘ol go-to for me is echinacea.
As one of the most popular herbs, and one I’m sure you’ve heard of, echinacea goes way back. So far back, that archaeologists have found evidence that Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds, and as a general "cure-all." Even more, throughout history people have used echinacea to treat things like scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, and even blood poisoning. Of course, since the introduction of antibiotics, echinacea saw a decline throughout history but guess what, it’s back.
One of the most common uses of echinacea is to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu, and reduce symptoms like a sore throat, cough, and fever. Tons of herbalists also recommend echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections. Trust me friends, we should listen to those herbalists.
Are you interested in learning how to make your own echinacea tincture? Its insanely easy to make and will help give your immune system a boost this season. Be sure to get your tincture started now because it needs 4-6 weeks to steep.
Let’s start with what a tincture is.
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that are made by soaking the herb (dried or fresh) in alcohol or vinegar. The alcohol or vinegar pulls out the important ingredients in the plant and concentrates them as a liquid for you to ingest. Most herbal tinctures use vodka as the base because it’s a perfect preservative and powerful extractor. However if you don’t want to use alcohol, you can replace with vinegar or glycerin. Learn more here.
Now let’s learn how to make an echinacea tincture.
This one is really easy.
What you need:
Wide mouth canning jar, cleaned and sanitized
Vodka (at least 40% alcohol, 80 proof)
Place dried Echinacea in your jar until the jar is about half full.
Pour vodka over the top and fill about 1” above the herbs. The dried herbs will swell over the following weeks so you need room in your jar.
Seal tightly with a lid and label with the date and expected date your tincture will be ready. I always do this on a piece of masking tape because it’s inevitable I will forget what’s in my jar!
Store for 4 – 6 weeks, giving your jar a good shake every few days.
After 4 – 6 weeks, strain the herbs by placing a layer of cheese cloth over a mesh strainer and over a large measuring cup or bowl. Use your hands to squeeze every last drop of that liquid out.
Toss the herbs and pour your tincture into a dark glass bottle for storage. Again, don’t forget to label it. Trust me, you will forget.
That’s it. See, pretty damn easy.
How to Use Your Echinacea Tincture.
At the first sign of a cold, and even during a cold, take ½ to ¾ of a teaspoon up to 3 times a day. Echinacea is certainly most beneficial at the beginning of a cold so be sure to use it early. I will even take a dose once a day if I’ve been around someone who was sick, just for safe measures.
Please note it is NOT used as a long-term preventative for a cold or flu.
Disclaimer: I’ve said it before, but please remember I am not a doctor or certified herbalist. I cannot give medical advice but everything I shared here is based on my experience with this herb.
Peace, Love & Healthy Living.
DID YOU MAKE THIS TINCTURE?
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