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I’ve had a lot of people ask lately, “Can you make a tincture without alcohol?” The answer is yes! For people who are opposed to alcohol or for use with children, it is possible to make an effective alternative using glycerin. This is known as a glycerite. Glycerin is a clear/colorless, odorless liquid with a viscous consistency that has a sweet taste.
When wishing to steer clear of alcohol bases, infusions, decoctions, and oxymels can also be used to achieve many herbal wellness goals. Still, glycerites can open up new opportunities for herbal preparations that taste good with a pleasant sweetness. Read on to learn how to make a glycerite.
What is a Glycerite?
Glycerites are essentially extracts of plant matter held in glycerine. Glycerites are also known as glyco-extracts. They are made by soaking fresh or dried herbs in glycerine and water in a sealed container for a few weeks. With daily stirring or shaking, this process extracts and preserves the soluble nutrients contained within the botanicals.
Glycerol is particularly useful for extracting the nutrient and medicinal properties of fresh herbs, but the process can also be accomplished with dried herbs. Below, we will outline the method for both.
What is a Glycerite Used For?
Glycerites can be used in place of tinctures or added to skin care formulations. Where skincare is concerned, glycerites are soothing and a skin-conditioning. They are also hygroscopic humectants, meaning they attract water and help prevent water evaporation from the skin and products. As for internal use as a tincture alternative, glycerites are known as moistening emollients, perfect for lung and digestion issues.
How to Make a Glycerite with Dried Herbs
Ingredients:
Dried herb(s) of choice
Organic vegetable glycerine (make sure you are using food grade only)
Distilled water
Equipment:
Mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or bullet grinder
Sterile glass jar with lid
Glass bottle or pitcher
Cheesecloth
Amber dropper bottles
Method:
With a mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, or bullet grinder, grind your herbs to a coarse consistency to get the most surface area for extraction.
Fill your sterile jar ½ to ⅔ full of your ground botanicals.
In a separate jar or bottle, combine three parts vegetable glycerine with one part distilled water. (a 3:1 ratio = 75% glycerin and 25% water) and shake to combine thoroughly.
Pour the glycerin/water mixture over your dried herbs, filling the jar to within one inch of the top. Make sure to cover the plant material entirely and shake it to combine.
Set in a cool, dark place to macerate for 4-6 weeks, giving it a shake every day or two.
During the maceration process, you may need to top off with your glycerine/water mixture to keep plant material fully covered.
Once maceration is complete, strain all of the plant matter out using a cheesecloth-lined strainer or a coffee filter.
Your glycerite is now ready to use! Decant it into amber dropper bottles and store it in a cool, dark place.
How to Make a Glycerite with Fresh Herbs
Ingredients:
Dried herb(s) of choice
Organic vegetable glycerine
Equipment:
Mortar and pestle
Sterile glass jar with lid
Cheesecloth
Amber dropper bottles
Method:
Chop the plant material thoroughly or crush using a mortar and pestle.
Fill your sterile jar ½ to ⅔ full of your ground botanicals.
Pour undiluted glycerine over the chopped plant material, filling to within one inch of the top.
Set in a cool, dark place to macerate for 4-6 weeks, giving it a shake every day or two.
During the maceration process, you may need to top off with your glycerine/water mixture to keep plant material fully covered.
Once maceration is complete, strain all of the plant matter out using a cheesecloth-lined strainer or a coffee filter.
Your glycerite is now ready to use! Decant it into amber dropper bottles and store it in a cool, dark place.
Pro Tip:
When using finely ground or powdered herbs, you may need to double filter or strain your glycerite through a coffee filter to ensure that no botanical material remains in your glycerite.
A Quick Disclaimer
Remember that just because something is “natural” does not always mean that it is safe for every person. When it comes to herbal medicine, there are many plants that should be avoided when pregnant or nursing, and some that can cause extreme interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Before using herbal preparations, always do your research, speak to a professional regarding any significant concerns, and never fail to seek medical advice when needed. A severe cough that persists for more than a week can be an indication of a serious illness and should not be ignored.
Be Well, My Friends
Glycerites are an excellent addition to any home apothecary, especially in homes with children. Standard adult dosing is the same as it would be for tinctures. ¼ - ½ tsp twice daily. For children, a general guideline is to divide the child's weight, in pounds, by 150. This will give the percentage of the adult dosage for a child. Remember that glycerites can be quite tasty depending on the herbs used, and it can be easy to take more than necessary because of this. Always keep your glycerite out of reach of children and pets. Be sure to tell us all about your glycerite-making adventures in the comments below, and as always, until next time,
