5 Easy Tinctures from Dried Herbs

If you're looking to avoid pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter medications for everyday aches and pains, you might wonder how to get started with herbal remedies. You might think making your own medicine requires fresh herbs from your garden and hours of time—but that’s not the case! You can create effective, long-lasting herbal remedies using dried herbs from health food stores or even online.

I’ll walk you through five easy-to-find herbs that you can use to make tinctures from dried plant material. These herbs are perfect for stocking up your medicine cabinet with simple, effective remedies.

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What is an Apothecary?

An apothecary is simply your herbal medicine cabinet, whether that’s a small kitchen shelf or a whole room dedicated to herbal remedies. I started with just a little shelf, and now I have an entire room for storing herbs, making tinctures, and creating blends.

A great way to begin is by stocking a few dried herbs for teas and tinctures. Tinctures are especially practical because they last longer—up to 10 years if made with alcohol! You can also use vinegar or vegetable glycerin if you prefer alcohol-free options, though these have a shorter shelf life.

If you're interested in learning how to make tinctures, I’ve got a detailed free course on beginner herbalism where I cover 10 useful herbs, medicine-making tips, and tincture techniques. Now, let’s get into my top five herbs for making tinctures from dried plant material.

The 5 Essential Herbs for Tinctures

1. Passionflower

Though I won’t dive deep into Passionflower here (I’ve covered it extensively in a previous post), it’s a fantastic herb for calming the mind, reducing stress, and promoting sleep. It’s excellent for anxiety and insomnia, making it a staple in many herbal apothecaries.

2. Astragalus

Astragalus is a mild adaptogen with powerful immune-boosting properties. Adaptogens help your body handle stress, and Astragalus is great for building resilience without overstimulating your system.

This herb is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to strengthen the immune system, especially when you’re feeling run down. It works by boosting white blood cells and natural killer cells, which fight off infections. Astragalus tinctures made from dried root are an easy way to support your immune system, especially during cold and flu season.

Dosage: 2-3 dropperfuls, 2-3 times daily.

3. Vitex (Chaste Tree)

Vitex, also known as Chaste Tree, is an essential herb for hormonal balance. It works by stimulating the pituitary gland, helping regulate estrogen and progesterone levels. Whether you’re managing PMS, irregular cycles, or menopausal symptoms, Vitex tinctures can help balance hormones naturally over time.

For men, Vitex can also support libido and fertility by balancing prolactin levels. It’s a great herb for both men and women looking for hormone regulation.

Dosage: 1-3 dropperfuls, 2-3 times daily, especially in the morning.

4. Willow Bark

If you’re seeking a natural alternative to aspirin, Willow Bark is an excellent choice. It contains salicin, the active compound in aspirin, making it a powerful tool for reducing pain and inflammation.

Willow Bark is great for managing chronic pain like arthritis, muscle aches, and headaches, though it’s not ideal for fast relief since it takes up to 8 hours to take effect. However, it’s a gentler option for long-term pain management.

Dosage: 10-60 drops, 1-4 times a day.

5. Yarrow

Yarrow is a versatile herb known for its ability to stop bleeding and reduce inflammation. It’s commonly called “woundwort” because it’s great for treating wounds both externally and internally. Yarrow tinctures are excellent for heavy periods, fevers, and digestive issues like cramping and bloating.

This herb can also serve as a fever reducer by helping your body reach the peak of a fever more quickly, which can speed up recovery.

Yarrow tinctures are strong and effective, but I recommend using them for short periods—about a week at a time.

6. Milk Thistle

Last but not least is Milk Thistle, well-known for its liver-supporting properties. Whether you’re doing a liver detox or simply want to support liver health, Milk Thistle is a must-have. Its active compound, silymarin, acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting liver cells and promoting overall liver function.

Milk Thistle tinctures are easy to take and are safe for daily use to support both liver and digestive health.

Dosage: 2-3 dropperfuls, 2-3 times daily.

How to Make Strong Herbal Tinctures

To make effective herbal tinctures, use a 1:5 ratio for dried herbs (1 part herb to 5 parts alcohol) or a 1:2 ratio for fresh herbs. For example, if you have 28 grams of dried herb, use 140-150 ml of alcohol.

Here are some tips to make sure your tinctures are potent:

• Surface area: Grind your herbs to expose more surface area to the alcohol.
• Agitation: Shake the tincture daily to maximize extraction.
• Temperature: You can use heat, like a hot water bath, to speed up the process.

Following these steps will result in a powerful tincture in about 3-4 weeks, which is faster than the traditional 6-week method.

Herbal medicine doesn’t need to be complicated. By starting with a few dried herbs and learning to make tinctures, you can build a reliable, long-lasting herbal apothecary. Whether you have a small shelf or an entire room, these five herbs—Astragalus, Vitex, Willow Bark, Yarrow, and Milk Thistle—are perfect for creating powerful, effective remedies.

Interested in learning more? Be sure to check out my free herbalism course for beginners, and if you’re starting your own apothecary, I’d love to hear about your journey!

Watch this post in more detail on the Herbalist Kristen YouTube channel for a more detailed educational experience! 

Kristen Prosen