Glycerin tinctures are a great alcohol-free alternative to traditional alcohol-based tinctures. They’re simple to make, shelf-stable, and make tinctures accessible to both children and adults.
Glycerin tinctures, also known as herbal glycerites or glycerin-based extractions are a great alcohol-free alternative to alcohol-based tinctures. They are prepared the same way as alcohol-based herbal tinctures and can last a long time.
What are glycerin tinctures?
A glycerin tincture is a plant extract made using vegetable glycerine instead of alcohol or grain alcohol as a solvent. It’s a great choice for people sensitive to alcohol, who prefer an alcohol-free alternative, and for children. Glycerin-based tinctures have a sweet taste, which makes them a great alternative for people who find traditional alcohol-based tinctures hard to consume.
Glycerin is an effective solvent and extracts beneficial compounds from plant material. It has a shorter shelf life than ethyl alcohol tinctures but is still a great way to create herbal extracts!
How to choose your glycerin
Type of glycerin
Food-grade glycerin – Always choose food-grade glycerin, as it is safe for internal consumption. Avoid technical or industrial-grade glycerin, which contains harmful contaminants.
Vegetable glycerin – This is the most common and preferred choice for glycerites. It is made from plant oils (such as palm, soy, or coconut) and works for most people, including vegetarians and vegans.
Purity
Look for 100% pure glycerin. Check the label to ensure no added chemicals, preservatives, or artificial ingredients are included.
Make sure to avoid glycerin that has added fragrances, flavours, or dyes – these are intended for cosmetic use, not ingestion.
Source
Palm-free glycerin – If you want a more sustainable option, look for palm-free glycerin. Palm oil production contributes to major and detrimental deforestation.
Soy-free – For people with soy allergies, check the source of the glycerin to make sure that it’s made from alternatives like coconut oil.
How to make a glycerin tincture
Supplies
Vegetable glycerine (food-grade) – Acts as the solvent for extracting herbal properties. Here’s a source
Fresh or dried plant material
Distilled water – To dilute the glycerine slightly
Glass jar – A mason jar or clean jar with a lid works well. I use these
Cheesecloth, mesh strainer, or coffee filter – For straining off the plant matter from the final tincture
Dropper bottle – For storing the finished tincture. I use these
Instructions
Step 1: choose what you’ll tincture. Here are some options:
Lemon balm – Calming and soothing. Here’s a bulk, organic source
Echinacea – Immune support during flu season. Here’s a dried organic source
Lavender – Relaxation and stress relief. Here’s a source
Cannabis – Can be used for pain relief or relaxation (make sure to check your local laws)
Chamomile – Gentle and calming. Here’s a source
You can also experiment with combinations of different herbs and tailor the tincture to your needs. Using fresh plants or dried herbs is a personal preference, though fresh plant material may result in a shorter shelf life than a tincture made with dried plants.
Step 2: Prepare your herbs
If you’re using fresh herbs, rinse them and pat dry to remove the excess water. You can also let them sit out overnight to dry.
Use a knife or food processor to chop them into small pieces. We do this to maximise the surface area of the plant that is exposed to the glycerin when making the tincture.
Add your dried or fresh herbs to a clean glass jar. If you’re using fresh, fill the jar ¾ of the way full and ⅓ of the way full if you’re using dried.
Combine 3 parts glycerin with 1 part water. This mixture makes sure that the glycerine is still strong enough to extract the beneficial compounds but is a bit easier to work with.
Pour the glycine-water mixture over the herbs until everything is completely submerged. Leave a bit of space at the top of your jar to allow for dried herbs to expand. Gently tap the jar to remove any air bubbles or stir the mixture so everything is combined.
Add a lid and date and label the jar. Store it in a cool, dark place at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. Aim to shake your jar every day or so to make sure everything is completely covered with the glycerin.
After 6 weeks use layers of cheesecloth (you can double it over to get a finer strain) or a mesh strainer to strain off the tincture. If you don’t dilute your mixture, I recommend using a mesh strainer to strain off the tincture because glycerin is sticky. I used a strainer for the first strain and cheesecloth for the second strain.
Add the liquid to an amber glass bottle or other storage container.
How long do glycerin tinctures last?
If the tincture is fully strained off and stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight, it should last for about a year. Glycerin-based tinctures have a shorter shelf life than alcohol tinctures, which can last many years.
How much to take?
Glycerin tinctures are typically taken in slightly larger doses than alcohol-based tinctures because glycerin is less efficient at extracting certain compounds from herbs compared to alcohol.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Potency – Alcohol-based tinctures are generally more concentrated. You may need 1.5 to 2 times the amount of a glycerin tincture to get a similar effect.
Dosage guidance – If a recipe suggests taking 30 drops (about 1 mL) of an alcohol tincture, you might need closer to 45–60 drops (1.5–2 mL) of a glycerite.
How to consume glycerin tinctures
Directly – For the quickest absorption, add the dosage directly under the tongue and hold it there for 30 seconds before swallowing.
Diluted in a drink – You can add the dosage to water or other beverage to dilute the flavour.
Disclaimer – I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical or health advice in any content I create. I offer information for educational purposes and, as always, get your physician’s advice or the advice of your health care provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences of trying a new herbal remedy such as an allergic reaction or unexpected side effects like interactions with other medication.
What to read next
How To Make Alcohol-Free Tinctures And Extracts
How To Make A DIY Tincture Press
Best Alcohol for Tinctures: A Beginner’s Guide
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If you make this how-to and enjoy it, please consider giving it 5 stars. I hope this gives you confidence to try making your own tinctures using glycerin. If it did, find me on Instagram @documentingsimpleliving and show me what you’ve made!
How to Make Glycerin Tinctures: A Complete Guide
Glycerin tinctures are a great alcohol-free alternative to traditional alcohol-based tinctures. They’re simple to make, shelf-stable, and make tinctures accessible to both children and adults.
Materials
- Vegetable glycerine (food-grade) - Acts as the solvent for extracting herbal properties
- Fresh or dried plant material
- Distilled water - To dilute the glycerine slightly
Tools
- Glass jar - A mason jar or clean jar with a lid works well.
- Cheesecloth, mesh strainer, or coffee filter - For straining off the plant matter from the final tincture
- Dropper bottle - For storing the finished tincture
Instructions
Step 1: choose what you’ll tincture. Here are some options:
Lemon balm - Calming and soothing
Echinacea - Immune support during flu season
Lavender - Relaxation and stress relief
Cannabis - Can be used for pain relief or relaxation (make sure to check your local laws)
Chamomile - Gentle and calming
You can also experiment with combinations of different herbs and tailor the tincture to your needs. Using fresh plants or dried herbs is a personal preference, though fresh plant material may result in a shorter shelf life than a tincture made with dried plants.
Step 2: Prepare your herbs
- If you’re using fresh herbs, rinse them and pat dry to remove the excess water. You can also let them sit out overnight to dry.
- Use a knife or food processor to chop them into small pieces. We do this to maximise the surface area of the plant that is exposed to the glycerin when making the tincture.
- Add your dried or fresh herbs to a clean glass jar. If you’re using fresh, fill the jar ¾ of the way full and ⅓ of the way full if you’re using dried.
- Combine 3 parts glycerin with 1 part water. This mixture makes sure that the glycerine is still strong enough to extract the beneficial compounds but is a bit easier to work with.
- Pour the glycine-water mixture over the herbs until everything is completely submerged. Leave a bit of space at the top of your jar to allow for dried herbs to expand. Gently tap the jar to remove any air bubbles or stir the mixture so everything is combined.
- Add a lid and date and label the jar. Store it in a cool, dark place at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. Aim to shake your jar every day or so to make sure everything is completely covered with the glycerin.
- After 6 weeks use layers of cheesecloth (you can double it over to get a finer strain) or a mesh strainer to strain off the tincture. If you don't dilute your mixture, I recommend using a mesh strainer to strain off the tincture because glycerin is sticky. I used a strainer for the first strain and cheesecloth for the second strain.
- Add the liquid to an amber glass bottle or other storage container.
Notes
How long do glycerin tinctures last?
If the tincture is fully strained off and stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight, it should last for about a year. Glycerin-based tinctures have a shorter shelf life than alcohol tinctures, which can last many years.
How much to take?
Glycerin tinctures are typically taken in slightly larger doses than alcohol-based tinctures because glycerin is less efficient at extracting certain compounds from herbs compared to alcohol.
Here's what to keep in mind:
Potency - Alcohol-based tinctures are generally more concentrated. You may need 1.5 to 2 times the amount of a glycerin tincture to get a similar effect.
Dosage guidance - If a recipe suggests taking 30 drops (about 1 mL) of an alcohol tincture, you might need closer to 45–60 drops (1.5–2 mL) of a glycerite.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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100% Pure Vegetable Glycerin - Pharmaceutical & Food Grade (1 Gallon) -
4 Pack, 100ml Dark Amber Dropper Bottles with 1 Funnels & 4 Labels -
Bulk Organic Calendula Flowers - 1 lb -
Organic Whole Lavender Flowers 2.72oz -
Frontier Co-op Organic Cut & Sifted Lemon Balm Leaf 1lb - Dried Lemon Balm Herb Lemon Balm Loose Leaf Tea Herb - Melissa Tea, Toronjil Tea -
Bulk Certified Organic Echinacea Root -
Organic German Whole Chamomile Flowers, 1-pound Bulk Bag
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