Wormwood Tincture Recipe (How To Make It At Home)

Learning how to make wormwood tincture is a great way to harness the plant’s medicinal benefits. This wormwood tincture recipe uses only two ingredients and can help with bloating. It also has natural anti-parasitic properties, making it a staple in your herbal medicine cabinet.

Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, dating back to ancient civilisations. The ancient Egyptians used it for intestinal worms, while in medieval Europe, it was used as a general tonic. In the 19th century, wormwood was a key ingredient in the infamous absinthe, which was believed to have various medicinal properties. Despite its controversial history due to its potential toxicity in large doses, wormwood has remained a staple in herbal medicine.

Making wormwood tincture can be a great way to harness and preserve the plant’s medicinal benefits. People often make wormwood tincture to support digestive health and it can help to stimulate appetite and alleviate digestive issues like bloating and gas. It also has natural anti-parasitic properties (like black walnut tincture!), and it’s also believed to have mild sedative effects, which can help ease anxiety and improve sleep.

Benefits of wormwood tincture

Digestive aid – Wormwood is a bitter herb and it stimulates appetite and improves digestion

Anti-parasitic –  Wormwood can be effective against intestinal worms and parasitic infections

Anti-inflammatory – Wormwood contains compounds like absinthin, which help reduce inflammation

Antioxidant properties – It has cleansing antioxidants that help protect cells from damage

Mild sedative – Wormwood can help to reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality

Dried or fresh herbs

Like other single herb tinctures, you can use either fresh or dried wormwood leaves to make this tincture. I like to use dried wormwood to reduce the water content while my tincture steeps in alcohol. If you use fresh leaves, make sure to use a higher-proof alcohol (over 80-proof) to offset the water content.

If you’re using fresh herbs, try to harvest the leaves before the hot, afternoon sun hits them. This will ensure that the essential oil in the plant is at its highest point and give you a stronger tincture.

Folk method

I use the folk method when I make tinctures. This means that I do not weigh the plant material or alcohol – I simply add them to a glass jar and make sure everything is submerged in alcohol. If you’re making tinctures to sell, it’s a good idea to weigh your plant material to ensure that the medicinal properties in the final tinctures are roughly equivalent. 

Wormwood tincture recipe

Tools

An airtight container with a tight-fitting 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 – I like these

A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter

A small funnel

A knife – for chopping up fresh wormwood leaves

Supplies

Fresh or dried wormwood leaves – Here’s a bulk source.

80-proof vodka (or 40% alcohol) – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar. I use this raw bulk apple cider vinegar. If you’re using fresh wormwood, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant.

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Instructions

If you’re using fresh wormwood leaves, wash and pat them dry. Use a knife to chop them into smaller pieces.

Add the leaves of the plant to a clean glass jar. 

If you’re using fresh leaves, fill the jar ¾ of the way full. If you’re using dried leaves, fill the jar about ⅓ of the way full. This is to allow the leaves to have enough room to absorb the alcohol.

Cover the leaves with alcohol. 

Add a lid and shake the jar to make sure everything is completely covered.

Add a date and label so you know what it is and when you made it.

If you used dried wormwood, top the jar up with alcohol after a day or so.

Leave it to sit in a cool, dry place for 6-8 weeks.

Shake the jar a few times a week to keep everything covered in alcohol.

After 8 weeks, use cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to strain it off. You can use a strainer first and then cheesecloth to strain off the smaller bit of plant material.

Add the wormwood extract to an amber glass bottler bottle. Make sure to label and date it!

How much wormwood tincture to take?

You want to avoid excessive use of wormwood and this is not a tincture for long-term use. Speak with the appropriate healthcare professionals before taking it. It’s been recommended to take about 20 drops 2-3 times daily for 2 weeks, alongside black walnut hull tincture.

How long does wormwood tincture last?

Like many homemade alcohol-based tinctures made from medicinal herbs, this tincture has a long life if stored away from direct sunlight and the organic matter is completely strained off. I like to use the tincture within 1-2 years. If you use vinegar, it is best to use the tincture within 6 months.

Ways to consume wormwood tincture

Directly – The best way to access the medicinal properties quickly is to add the dosage under your tongue and allow it to sit there for 30 seconds before swallowing.

Diluted – You can add the dosage in water, tea, coffee, or juice 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 healthcare provider before trying a new herbal remedy. There are always possible unintended consequences or adverse reactions when 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 A Black Walnut Tincture (Simple Recipe)

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