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An amber glass bottle with lavender tincture inside. There are dried lavender buds sitting in the background.
Nico

How To Make Lavender Tincture (Herbal Recipe)

Lavender is known to help with relaxation and sleep, as well as reduce symptoms of anxiety. Learning how to make lavender tincture is a great way to preserve these benefits and access them year-round.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 56 days
Total Time 56 days 10 minutes
Servings: 1 bottle
Course: Tinctures for Sleep
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Fresh or dried lavender flowers - here's a dried, organic source
  • 1 cup 80-proof unflavoured alcohol or 40% alcohol – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar or food-grade glycerin. If you’re using fresh lavender, consider using a high-proof alcohol, which will be more effective at preventing spoilage from the water content in the plant.

Equipment

  • 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. – I use these glass mason jars
  • Small amber glass tincture bottles with dropper tops - try to avoid storing tincture for a long time in clear glass. Amber glass protects the tincture’s beneficial properties better than clear glass. - here's the ones I use
  • A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter - I like this unbleached cheesecloth
  • A small funnel

Method
 

  1. Add the fresh or dried lavender flowers to a clean glass jar. 
  2. If you’re using fresh lavender flowers, fill the jar about ¾ of the way full. You want the flowers to be completely covered in alcohol, so leave a bit fo space at the top. 
  3. If you’re using dried lavender buds, fill the jar about ½ of the way full to leave room for the plant material to absorb the alcohol.
  4. Cover everything in alcohol. While some tinctures suit themselves to certain alcohols, I don’t have a particular recommendation for what type of alcohol to use to make lavender tincture. Use what you have on hand (I had vodka) but make sure it’s a high-proof vodka or alcohol (at least 80-proof).
  5. Put a tight lid on the jar and shake it to make sure everything is covered with alcohol.
  6. Date and label the jar and put it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
  7. Leave it sit for 6-8 weeks and try to shake it once a day to keep everything submerged in alcohol.
  8. After 6-8 weeks, use cheesecloth to strain off the liquid.
  9. Add the strained tincture to a small amber glass dropper bottle. If you have excess liquid that doesn’t fit in the dropper bottle, you can simply store it in your glass jar.
  10. Label and date the dropper bottle and it’s ready to use.

Notes

How much lavender tincture to take?

It depends on your individual needs but I like to take 2-4 droppers full when I feel I need help with sleep or mood support. You can start by taking a small amount and work your way up.

How long does lavender tincture last?

Like many homemade alcohol-based herbal tinctures and alcohol extracts, this tincture has a long shelf life and will last a long time if stored away from direct sunlight. I like to use the tincture within 2-3 years.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!