Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Chamomile tincture is wonderful at promoting relaxation and sleep. Learn how to make chamomile tincture using only two ingredients by following this simple DIY recipe.
Homemade herbal tinctures
Making homemade herbal remedies like tinctures is a cost-effective and great way to support your and your family’s health, preserve fresh garden or supermarket produce, and save money. I like to use the folk method to make our homemade tinctures, which simply means that the measurements are less precise. If you plan to sell your tinctures, it’s best to weigh the plant material you use in each batch so you know the exact amount of medicinal properties in your tinctures.
Using the folk method, you can take virtually any part of medicinal plants, submerge it in alcohol, let it sit for a month or so, and you’ll have made a tincture. Because the medicinal properties of the plant material are preserved in the alcohol, tinctures have a long shelf life. This means that the wonderful health benefits from plants are preserved far longer in tinctures than if they were simply dried or even dehydrated.
Benefits of chamomile tincture
Many people know the power of chamomile tea, which can help to reduce stress and support digestion. However, fewer people know that chamomile tincture offers a stronger dose of the same herbal benefits (so does lemon balm tincture!). Chamomile tincture involves steeping fresh or dried flowers in alcohol for a long time, meaning that the alcohol has a chance to fully extract the medical properties in the flowers and preserve them in the alcohol.
I like to use German chamomile (scientifically known as matricaria chamomilla and matricaria recutita) in my tinctures because it is more commonly found in my area. You can also find Roman chamomile but it is less commonly sold where we live. You can use either in your tinctures – both German and Roman chamomile share similar therapeutic properties. German chamomile is more commonly used in herbal medicine, while Roman chamomile is often used in aromatherapy and skincare applications. I recommend using what you have!
Watch the video
Benefits of chamomile
Anti-inflammatory properties – Chamomile contains bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and terpenoids, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body.
Reduce stress and anxiety – Chamomile contains apigenin, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and calm the nervous system.
Antioxidant effects – The flavonoids in chamomile, like apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, have antioxidant properties. These compounds help the body to get rid of free radicals and help to protect cells from oxidative damage.
Support digestion – Chamomile has been traditionally used to treat an upset stomach and can help to relax smooth muscle tissue in the digestive tract. This can ease symptoms of indigestion, gas, bloating, and cramping, including menstrual cramps.
Promote restful sleep – Chamomile contains compounds that interact with GABA receptors in the brain, which can help to promote relaxation and sleep.
Skin health – Chamomile tincture has been used topically to soothe various skin irritations, including eczema, dermatitis, and minor wounds. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties could also help to reduce redness, itching, and irritation.
Fresh or dried herbs
You can use either fresh or dried chamomile to make your tincture. I use dried in the winter months and fresh in the summer months when I have access to the flowers.
If you are harvesting fresh chamomile flowers from an herb garden, I’d recommend doing so in the morning before direct sunlight reaches the plant. This is because, like many medicinal herbs, when it gets very hot or the flowers get direct sunlight, the plant’s essential oils become less condensed. If you harvest the flowers before it gets too hot, your tincture will have a more potent concentration of the plant’s volatile oils and medicinal benefits.
How to make chamomile tincture
Tools
Clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (like a mason jar)
Small amber glass dropper bottles for storing the tincture – I like these
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, coffee filter
A small funnel
Supplies
Fresh or dried chamomile flowers – Here are organic chamomile flowers you can buy in bulk.
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you are using fresh chamomile, you can consider using a high-proof alcohol but it’s not necessary. If you want to avoid using alcohol, you can swap it out for raw apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin – I buy this raw apple cider vinegar in bulk. Make sure to consume vinegar-based extracts within 1 year.
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
The first step is to fully sanitise your glass jar, lid, and amber glass dropper bottle.
If you’re using fresh herbs, fill a glass jar ¾ of the way full. If you’re using dried flowers, fill the glass jar ⅓ of the way full to leave room for the flowers to absorb the alcohol.
Submerge the plant material in alcohol.
Add a lid to the jar and shake it vigorously to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
Set the jar in a cool, dark place for 6-8 weeks. Shake the jar 3-4 times a week to make sure everything remains covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture.
Take care to completely remove the plant material from the liquid. If you don’t the tincture could go bad more quickly. I tend to strain off my tinctures a few times to fully remove the plant matter.
Use a funnel to pour the tincture into an amber glass bottle. I like to use the bottles that come with a dropper because it makes taking the tincture simple.
Date and label the finished tincture so you remember what it is and when you made it.
Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
That’s it – enjoy!
How long does chamomile tincture last?
As long as the plant material is removed from the final tincture and it’s stored away from direct sunlight and in a cool place, it should last for years.
What dosage?
I like to take 1-3 dropper fulls per day or about 1 teaspoon before bed to help with sleep.
How to use chamomile
Directly – You can take chamomile tincture by adding the dosage under your tongue or by diluting it in water, juice, smoothie, or herbal tea. If adding it to tea, make sure the water is not boiling when you add the tincture or the medicinal benefits may be reduced.
Topically – Chamomile tincture can be applied topically to the skin to soothe irritation and inflammation. Simply add 10-15 drops of the tincture to lotion or an oil (like coconut oil) and apply it directly to the skin. You could also add a few droppers full of chamomile tincture to bathwater for a relaxing soak.
Mouthwash – Add 10-15 drops of the tincture to a glass of warm water and use it as a gargle or mouthwash to help soothe throat or gum inflammation.
For menstrual cramps – For menstrual cramps, dilute chamomile tincture in warm water or herbal tea and drink it regularly throughout your menstrual cycle. Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxant properties can help ease menstrual pain and discomfort.
In herbal teas – Boost the nutritional benefits of herbal teas by adding 10-15 drops of this tincture to a mug of hot water or tea.
Alcohol-free herbal extracts
You can make chamomile tincture and other herbal extracts using store-bought apple cider vinegar instead of alcohol. Extracts made with vinegar will not last as long as tinctures made with alcohol and the flavour will be more noticeable when the tincture is consumed.
To make this tincture with vinegar, simply follow the instructions and swap out the alcohol for vinegar. I recommend diluting the extract in a smoothie or using it in a salad dressing when the taste of vinegar will be less noticeable.
Using organic herbs
If you’re using dried chamomile, I’d recommend trying to find organic flowers if you can find them. Non-organic flowers may have pesticide residue on them which wouldn’t be dissolved by the alcohol in your tincture. You can avoid this by using organic flowers.
Allergic reactions to chamomile tincture are possible, although they are relatively rare. I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, do your own research and speak to your doctor or paediatricians.
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How To Make Chamomile Tincture (Simple Homemade Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- The first step is to fully sanitise your glass jar, lid, and amber glass dropper bottle.
- If you’re using fresh herbs, fill a glass jar ¾ of the way full. If you’re using dried flowers, fill the glass jar ⅓ of the way full to leave room for the flowers to absorb the alcohol.
- Submerge the plant material in alcohol.
- Add a lid to the jar and shake it vigorously to ensure everything is covered in alcohol.
- Set the jar in a cool, dark place for 6-8 weeks. Shake the jar 3-4 times a week to make sure everything remains covered in alcohol.
- After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, or a coffee filter to strain off the tincture.
- Take care to completely remove the plant material from the liquid. If you don’t the tincture could go bad more quickly. I tend to strain off my tinctures a few times to fully remove the plant matter.
- Use a funnel to pour the tincture into an amber glass bottle. I like to use the bottles that come with a dropper because it makes taking the tincture simple.
- Date and label the finished tincture so you remember what it is and when you made it. Store it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. That’s it – enjoy!
Video
Notes
How long does chamomile tincture last?
As long as the plant material is removed from the final tincture andit’s stored away from direct sunlight and in a cool place, it should
last for years.
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