There are many herbs and flowers that can help manage symptoms of anxiety. Here are 4 herbal tinctures for anxiety that you can easily make at home.
Many herbs, flowers, and mushrooms can be tinctured and used to help manage and potentially reduce symptoms of anxiety. Herbal tinctures are a wonderful and natural alternative or supplement to conventional medicine that can help address anxiety symptoms like panic attacks, stomach aches, and disrupted sleep.
Here are 4 simple herbal tinctures that are helpful for anxiety that you can make at home.
What you need to make tinctures for anxiety
You only need a handful of supplies to make tinctures at home and the recipes in this post all use the same tools.
Tools
An airtight container with a plastic lid – I use a glass mason jar with parchment paper between the metal lid and tincture or extraction to prevent the alcohol from corroding the metal.
Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops
A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
A small funnel
A knife or mortar and pestle – for chopping up fresh plant material
Supplies
Fresh or dried plant material
80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol)
For complete measurements, see the more detailed blog posts linked below.
How to consume the tinctures
All of these tinctures can be taken directly or diluted. To take them directly, add the dosage under your tongue. Hold it there for 30 seconds and then swallow. Alternatively, the tinctures can be diluted in a glass of water or a cup of herbal tea.
4 tinctures for anxiety
Holy Basil (Tulsi) Tincture
Holy basil, or tulsi (ocimum tenuiflorum), is an adaptogen that can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm, which can help you sleep.
How to make it (you can read more detailed instructions here).
Fully wash the fresh basil leaves and pat them dry.
Use a knife to chop the leaves into small pieces to maximise the surface area of the plant exposed to the alcohol.
Add the fresh or dried basil to a sanitised clean glass jar. If using fresh leaves, fill the jar ¾ full and if you’re using dried leaves fill the jar ⅓ of the way full.
Submerge the plant material in alcohol and make sure it’s completely covered.
Add the lid and shake the jar to ensure all of the leaves are covered by alcohol.
Leave the jar in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks.
Aim to shake the jar 3-4 times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain off the tincture.
Use a funnel to add the tincture to an amber glass dropper bottle.
Add the date and label the tincture to make sure you don’t forget what it is.
How much basil tincture to take?
I like to take 1 dropper full per day and increase the dosage to 2 to 3 times per day during cold or flu season.
How long does basil tincture last?
Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal products, this tincture has a long shelf life if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years.
Chamomile Tincture
Chamomile (matricaria recutita) is a wonderful flower that promotes relaxation and sleep. This tincture can help to relax your mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep.
How to make it (you can read more detailed instructions here).
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 ½ 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 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.
Use a funnel to pour the tincture into an amber glass bottle.
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.
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.
How much to take?
I like to take 1-3 dropper fulls per day or about 1 teaspoon before bed to help with sleep.
Lemon Balm Tincture
Lemon balm (melissa officinalis) is a member of the mint family and is used to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, and calm the nervous system.
How to make it (you can read more detailed instructions here).
Remove the leaves from the stems. Fully wash the leaves and allow them to dry. Sanitise the glass jar and lid.
Chop up the leaves to maximise the surface area that is exposed to the alcohol.
Add enough fresh herbs to fill the jar ¾ of the way full. If you are using dried lemon balm, fill the jar ⅓ of the way full. This will ensure there’s enough space for the leaves to expand as they absorb the alcohol.
Fully submerge the lemon balm in alcohol.
Add a lid to the jar and tighten.
Leave the jar to sit in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks. If you remember to, give the jar a shake every few days to ensure the leaves remain fully covered in alcohol.
After 6-8 weeks, strain off the lemon balm using cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer. Make sure to fully remove all of the plant material to prevent the tincture from going bad. It’s easier to fully strain off dry lemon balm by using cheesecloth (or a coffee filter).
Use a small funnel to pour the remaining liquid into the amber glass dropper bottle.
Make sure to date and label your bottle so you know what it is! Store the tincture cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
How long does lemon balm tincture last?
This tincture will last about 2-3 years if stored in a dark, cool place. Make sure to strain off all of the plant material from the tincture before bottling it. If you don’t the tincture will expire more quickly.
How much lemon balm tincture to take?
The most common dosage is ½ – 1 teaspoon once or twice a day. This is about 30-60 drops from a dropper bottle.
Cinnamon Tincture
Using only 2 ingredients, homemade cinnamon tincture is simple to make.
How to make it (you can read more detailed instructions here).
Add 4-5 organic cinnamon sticks (or however many you need to fill your jar) to sterilised glass jar.
Cover the sticks with vodka until they are completely submerged.
Add a lid to the jar and date and label your jar.
Leave it to sit in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 2-3 months. Try to shake the jar a few times a week to ensure the cinnamon sticks remain covered in alcohol.
After 8 weeks and smell the tincture. If it has a strong scent of cinnamon and is a rich brown colour, you could use what you need for a recipe and then replace the lid and let the remaining tincture steep for a couple of weeks longer.
After 2-3 months, you can either strain off the tincture and add it to a clean glass jar or small bottle if you’re giving it as a gift. Avoid leaving the cinnamon sticks in the jar for longer than 3 months. This is because (unlike vanilla beans) they can become quite bitter and ruin the flavour of your tincture.
Date and label your tincture and then it’s ready to begin using it!
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
Simple Herbal Anxiety Tincture Recipe For Stress
Passionflower Tincture For Anxiety
St. John’s Wort Tincture (Herbal Medicine)
How To Make A Simple Blueberry Tincture
How To Make Rhodiola Tincture (Using Rosea Root)
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