How to make a homemade lavender tincture at home from dried or fresh lavender buds. Lavender tincture can be a great homemade sleep aid that’s so easy to make, and is completely natural and very effective for promoting relaxation.
After learning how to make a fresh dandelion tincture that can be taken to help with an array of health conditions, I started looking into making my own lavender tincture, seeing as our lavender plant was just flourishing.
What is a Tincture?
A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract similar to that of an infused oil, however, the difference being that tinctures are usually made by extracting the herbs’ beneficial properties into an alcohol base rather than an oil to obtain the healthful compounds of the plant.
The Benefits of Lavender Tincture
Lavender is often used for its aromatherapy benefits to promote relaxation, but it can also be taken in a tincture form, providing similar results. Lavender flowers contain a chemical compound known as linalool, which has been found to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Lavender tincture also has sedative and pain-relieving (analgesic) effects, and may be a helpful treatment for those suffering with anxiety, depression, and headaches.
A small study showed that when a lavender tincture was taken along with a tricyclic antidepressant, participants reported showing “better and earlier improvement†compared with those who took just the antidepressant on its own. Participants also reported that some of the common side effects associated with the drug, including dry mouth and water retention, happened less when taking the lavender tincture alongside the drug.
Lavender tincture can be a helpful remedy in treating migraines that sometimes occur with menopause,
As Lavender is a natural antibacterial, it may help protect against certain airborne pathogens and bacteria.
Lavender tincture can be a gentle herbal remedy for improving sleep as it promotes relaxation.
Lavender tinctures can be applied topically as well, often used on the skin as an antimicrobial for small cuts or burns, or minor skin irritations like rashes. It can also help soothe anxiety about an injury as it’s being applied, providing a tiny bit of “lavender aromatherapy†which may help soothe nerves after the stress of an injury.
Consuming lavender in a tea form instead of a tincture can be another alternative, and may help with digestive upsets like vomiting, nausea, intestinal gas, an upset stomach and abdominal swelling.
Cautions
Please note that lavender should be used with caution, particularly when taken in high dosage amounts as it can have adverse effects and be quite toxic.
According to Dr. Weil, ‘the NMCD rates lavender as “likely safe†for most adults in food amounts and “possibly safe†in medicinal amounts. Taking lavender by mouth may cause constipation, headaches, and increased appetite, while applying lavender to the skin may cause irritation. There is insufficient information available regarding safe use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so you should avoid using lavender when pregnant or nursing.’
Furthermore, Dr. Weil cautions that ‘children, specifically young boys who have yet to reach puberty, should avoid lavender oil and products that contain lavender oil as they may disrupt normal hormone levels. In some cases, boys developed abnormal breast growth called gynecomastia. Effects on young girls are unknown.’
Please also note that isopropyl/rubbing alcohol should never be used for tinctures (or any other remedy you plan on ingesting), as even in small amounts, this type of alcohol is toxic and is purely meant for external use only.
Dosages for Lavender Tincture
For an exact dosage that is specific to your body’s needs, I recommend consulting a clinical herbalist or naturopath.
Generally, the recommended dosage for lavender tincture is around two to four millilitres (2-4ml), taken around three times per day.
This is a general recommendation for most tinctures for an average-sized adult in relatively good health. Again, I recommend talking to a qualified professional for a dosage specific to your individual needs.
How to Make a Homemade Lavender Tincture
Tinctures use alcohol as the solvent, whereas extracts may use alcohol, water, vinegar, glycerin or other solvents. You may need to mix vodka and a 190-proof grain alcohol in equal parts for higher moisture items like lemon balm, berries and roots. The final alcohol percent will be less as there is water in the plant that will be drawn out, diluting the alcohol content.
Keep in mind a little goes a long way, so you only need a small amount when ingesting, as too much can be toxic.
Ingredients:
- Lavender flowers, dried or fresh
- Clean glass jar
- Organic gluten-free vodka (or any other palatable alcohol that’s at least 80 or 100 proof)
- Amber glass tincture bottles (with dropper)
To make:
- Fill a glass mason jar about two-thirds (2/3) full with fresh lavender, or about half full (1/2) with dried lavender.
- Cover the lavender with the vodka, or other 80 proof woodgrain alcohol you’ll be using, and cap the lid on tightly.
- Keep the tincture in a cool, dark, dry place and give the jar a gentle shake daily (or every few days at the least).
- Allow the tincture to develop over four to six weeks. Different herbs require different lengths of time to extract in alcohol, so it’s important to do some research on the length of time required for each various herb you’re using, particularly if you plan on using the tincture for medicinal purposes. Otherwise, you might start extracting other components that are less desirable.
- To decant the tincture, strain out the liquid using a nut milk bag or cheesecloth, squeezing the lavender to make sure all the liquid is extracted. Then, pour the liquid into small amber glass tincture bottles. The liquid will be coloured and no longer clear.
- Once the tincture has been strained, label the tincture bottles with the date and recommended dosages. Alcohol tinctures should last for years, though if they look funky, don’t use them.
Lavender tincture tutorial
As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor before trying or using any new products. I am not a doctor. All opinions expressed are my own personal thoughts and feelings of the products mentioned. Check with your doctor or health practitioner if you are uncertain about trying out any of the products, recipes or tips mentioned in this post.
Have you made a herbal tincture before?! How did it go? Share in the comments below.
Lots of love,
🖤 Vanessa
Sources:
Lavender. (Reviewed: September, 2016). Dr. Weil. Retrieved from https://www.drweil.com/vitamins-supplements-herbs/herbs/lavender/
Nordqvist, Joseph. (March 4, 2019). What are the health benefits and risk of lavender?. Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922
How To Make Lavender Herbal Tincture. Odds And Hens. Retrieved from https://oddsandhens.com/2014/01/23/how-to-make-a-lavender-herbal-tincture/
Allen, Crystal. (Updated: September 12, 2018). DIY Lavender “Essential Oil†Tincture- Think Ahead Handmade Gift Ideas Series. Hello Creative Family. Retrieved from https://hellocreativefamily.com/diy-lavender-essential-oil-tincture/
Lavender. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-838/lavender#:~:text=Lavender%20is%20commonly%20used%20for,support%20many%20of%20these%20uses.
Borke, Jesse, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP. Lavender oil. (November 3, 2020). Medline Plus. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002711.htm
Lavender. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-838/lavender#:~:text=When%20taken%20by%20mouth%3A%20Lavender,%2C%20headache%2C%20and%20increased%20appetite.
