DIY Glycerine and Glycerite Tinctures

• Advantages of Glycerite Tinctures
• Guide to Making Glycerite Tinctures
• Converting Alcohol Tinctures to Glycerin Tinctures
• Tincture Recipe Calculator

DIY Guide to Making and Using Glycerine Tinctures and Converting Alcohol Tinctures to Glycerine Tinctures 

What are Glycerine Tinctures?

Glycerite tinctures are herbal extracts created by combining plant material with vegetable glycerin, resulting in a concentrated liquid that preserves the medicinal properties of the herbs. Vegetable glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a clear, odorless liquid derived from plant oils, commonly used in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries.

Glycerite tinctures offer an alcohol-free alternative to traditional tinctures, making them ideal for individuals who prefer to avoid alcohol or seek a child-friendly herbal remedy.

Advantages of Glycerite Tinctures

• Alcohol-free Alternative: Suitable for those who avoid alcohol or require alcohol-free remedies.
• Palatability: Glycerin’s natural sweetness makes it more palatable, especially for children or individuals sensitive to the strong flavor of alcohol-based tinctures.
• Shelf Stability: While glycerine extracts are good preservatives, they generally have a shorter shelf life than alcohol-based tinctures, typically around 1-2 years when stored properly.
• Moisturizing Properties: Glycerin's humectant properties help retain moisture, potentially enhancing the preservation of plant constituents.

Plants Suited to Glycerine Extraction

Certain plants are particularly well-suited to glycerine extraction due to their chemical composition or delicate nature. Examples include:

• Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): Known for its soothing properties, the mucilaginous compounds in marshmallow root extract well in glycerine.
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): The sweet flavor and harmonizing properties of licorice root make it an excellent candidate for glycerite extraction.
• Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana): The glycosides responsible for stevia's sweetness can be effectively extracted using glycerin.

Plants Suited to Traditional Alcohol Extraction

While glycerite tinctures are versatile, some plants are better suited to alcohol-based tinctures due to their chemical constituents or the need for a stronger solvent. Examples include:

• St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): Alcohol extraction is preferred for obtaining active compounds like hypericin and hyperforin.
• Cayenne (Capsicum annuum): The powerful constituents in cayenne peppers, such as capsaicin, are more effectively extracted using alcohol.
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): The immunomodulating compounds in echinacea roots and aerial parts are best extracted with alcohol.

Step-by-Step DIY Guide to Making Glycerite Tinctures

1. Selecting Herbs: Choose high-quality dried or fresh herbs, ensuring they are free from pesticides or contaminants.
2. Herb Preparation: Clean and chop the herbs to increase the surface area for extraction.
3. Herb-to-Glycerine Ratio: Determine the appropriate ratio based on the herb's potency and the desired strength of the final tincture.
4. Glycerine-to-Water Ratio: Decide on the ratio of glycerine to water to achieve the desired concentration and consistency.
5. Extraction Process: Combine the herbs, glycerin, and water in a jar, ensuring the plant material is fully submerged. Store in a cool, dark place for several weeks, shaking regularly.
6. Straining and Pressing: After the extraction period, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, gently pressing the plant material to extract as much liquid as possible.
7. Storage: Transfer the glycerite tincture to amber glass bottles, label them with the herb and date, and store in a cool, dark place.

Practical Considerations: Determining the Herb-to-Glycerine Ratio

The herb-to-glycerine ratio depends on various factors, including the herb's potency and the desired strength of the tincture. As a general guideline, start with a 1:4 ratio (herb to glycerine) for dried herbs and a 1:2 ratio for fresh herbs, adjusting as necessary based on individual preferences and herb characteristics.

Practical Considerations: Determining the Glycerine-to-Water Ratio

The glycerine-to-water ratio affects the concentration and consistency of the tincture. A common recommendation is to use a 60:40 ratio (glycerine to water) for a balanced and concentrated extract. However, this can be adjusted according to personal preferences and desired results.

Comparison of Alcohol Tinctures to Glycerine Tinctures

Solvent Strength and Their Unique Characteristics

• Alcohol Extracted Tinctures: Highly effective at extracting a wide range of plant constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, oils, and resins. Alcohol can preserve the extracts for several years—and seemingly indefinitely.
• Glycerin Extracted Tinctures: Less effective as a solvent compared to alcohol but excellent for extracting certain compounds such as tannins and flavonoids. Glycerin is also a good preservative, though its tinctures usually have a shorter shelf life than alcohol tinctures, typically around 1-2 years.

The Taste and Palatability of Tinctures

• Alcohol Extracted Tinctures: Due to their high alcohol content, these tinctures can have a strong, burning taste, which may not be pleasant for everyone, particularly children.
• Glycerin Extracted Tinctures: Glycerine’s natural sweetness makes glycerites (glycerin extracted tinctures) more palatable and ideal for children or those sensitive to alcohol.

Using Alcohol and Glycerine Extracted Tinctures

Both types of tinctures are used in similar ways, typically administered in small doses directly under the tongue or diluted in water or tea.

DIY Guide to Converting Alcohol Tinctures to Glycerin Tinctures

An alcohol tincture can be converted into a glycerin-based solution. While the result will not be identical to a true glycerite made from scratch, it provides a suitable alternative for those who prefer or must avoid alcohol. The process involves removing the alcohol from the tincture and replacing it with glycerin.

1. Precipitate (Evaporate) the Alcohol from the Tincture

• Gentle Heating: Gently heat the alcohol tincture to evaporate the alcohol. This should be done in a well-ventilated area and not directly over high heat to minimize the risk of igniting the alcohol. Using a water bath is a safer method to gently heat the tincture without overheating it.
• Monitoring: Carefully monitor the process to ensure that only the alcohol evaporates, leaving the plant extracts in the container.

1. Add Glycerin

• Cooling: Once the alcohol has sufficiently evaporated, allow the remaining extract to cool slightly.
• Mixing Glycerin: Add vegetable glycerin to the concentrated extract. The amount of glycerin should be equivalent to the original volume of alcohol or adjusted based on the desired thickness and sweetness of the final product.
• Mix Thoroughly: Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure that the glycerin fully incorporates the plant extracts.

1. Bottling and Labeling

• Bottle the new glycerin tincture and label it with the date and contents. Store it in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency.

Important Considerations When Converting Alcohol Based Tinctures to Glycerin Based Tinctures

It’s crucial to note that converting alcohol tinctures to glycerin tinctures might alter the extract's potency and shelf life, as some constituents extracted by alcohol may not be as soluble in glycerin. Therefore, always use this method with the understanding that the final product might differ in therapeutic strength and duration of effectiveness compared to the original.

This conversion process provides a viable option for utilizing the benefits of plant extracts for those who prefer or require alcohol-free preparations. It allows a broader range of individuals to experience the therapeutic effects of herbal extracts in a format that aligns with their needs.

Interested in Creating Your Own Recipe?

Use our Tincture Recipe Calculator to craft your own tincture at home.

Further Reading and Resources