Making Herbal Glycerites
Glycerites are liquid herbal preparations, also called tinctures, made with vegetable glycerin. Although herbal tinctures are often made from ethyl alcohol, glycerites are usually better-tasting. Glycerites do not contain alcohol, making them more desirable for children, the elderly, animals, and those sensitive to alcohol. Be sure to see our “how to” video and recipes below.
Lots of people have differing opinions about how to make an herbal glycerite. This can be confusing! There seems to be a general consensus that with dried botanicals, glycerin will adequately inhibit the growth of bacteria when it exceeds 55% percent of a menstruum (the liquid part of the formula). There doesn’t seem to be any general consensus on the amount of glycerin to use with fresh herbs.
As always, it is very important to get the best quality, ethically sourced herbs, and ingredients when you are making herbal medicine. For the highest quality glycerite, look for an organic, sustainably harvested, non-GMO glycerin. Kosher glycerine is animal-free and made from coconuts.
There are multiple ways to make glycerites. My favorite way is the “sealed simmer” method that I learned from Thomas Easley.
Sealed Simmer Method:
Materials for Sealed Simmer Method:
Canning jars (1/2 pint, pint, or quart, depending on how much you want to make) with clean rings and lids
A pot or pan big enough to hold the jars. For small batches, use a regular kitchen pot, for larger batches use a canning pot. Have water about halfway up sides of the jar.
Purified water
Vegetable glycerin
Fresh or dry herbs
Scale
Clean and sterile cloth for straining
Herb press or strainer
Dropper bottles
Labels
Making the Glycerite:
Sterilize your jars, rings, lids and any other equipment you plan to use.
Place the herbs in the jars.
Fresh herbs: pack the jar full of the herb. Leave 1 inch at top of the jar.
Dry herbs: use about one ounce of dried herbs per pint. Leave about ½ inch at top of the jar.
Fill the jar with a mixture of glycerin and water.
For dried herbs, use a mixture of 60% glycerin and 40% water (6 cups glycerin to 4 cups water).
For fresh herbs, use between 100% glycerin to a mixture of 70% glycerin to 30% water, depending on the water content of the herb.
The goal is to have the finished liquid be a minimum of 60% glycerin.
If you are using a regular pot, put a few extra canning rings on the bottom of the pot (so the jar(s) won't sit directly on the bottom of the pan) and place the jar(s) of herbs you're going to extract into the pan on top of the rings. If using a pot, fill the pan about 1/2 up the sides of the jars with water. You can process as many jars as your pan will hold.
Bring the water in the pan to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and simmer the jars at a low boil for 20-40 minutes.
Remove the jars from the pan of water using a hot pad or jar lifter.
When the jars are cool enough to handle, strain the herbs using your cloth and a strainer or herb press.
Fresh Fennel Seeds make a delicious and potent herbal glycerite
Glycerite Dosages:
Just like alcohol extracts, herbal glycerite dosages can vary greatly. Richo Cech recommends using double the glycerite dose that would be recommended for an alcohol tincture of the same plant.
Shelf life:
Properly made glycerites will keep for several years if you store them in tightly sealed, dark glass containers in a cool, dark place such as the refrigerator. To promote a longer shelf life, make sure you clean all equipment well before making glycerites.
Herbs to Use for Glycerites:
Herbs: anise (Pimpinella anisum), burdock (Arctium lappa), calendula (Calendula officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), cleavers (Galium aparine), dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis), dill (Anethum graveolens) echinacea (Echinacea spp.), elder (Sambucus spp.) flowers and berries, elecampane (Inula helenium), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), ginger (Zingiber officinale), hawthorn (Crataegus spp.), juniper (Juniperus spp.), lavender (Lavandula spp.), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.), bee balm (Monarda spp.), mugwort (Artemesia vulgaris), mullein (Verbascum thapsus), nettles (Urtica dioica), oat seed (Avena spp.), osha (Ligusticum proteri), peppermint (Mentha × piperita), pine (Pinus spp.), plantain (Plantago major), rose (Rosa spp.) petals or hips, skullcap (Scutellaria spp.), spearmint (Mentha spicata), turmeric (Curcuma longa), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), valerian (Valeriana spp.), violet (Viola odorata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
If you are looking for herbs or ingredients, you can click the button below. A small percent of your purchase will go to our school.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
How to Use Glycerites:
Take the dosage straight in the mouth
Iced or hot herbal teas
Fruit sauces
Cocktails
Drizzled over yogurt, ice cream, and desserts
Body care: creams, lotions, gels, facial or body exfoliants, cleansers, toners (generally recommended at 5% – 10% of the formula).
Herbal Glycerite Formulas:
The following formulas are made with herbs that generally extract well into glycerine. They are safe and gentle formulas and can be used for most ages.
Tummy Trouble Formula:
2 parts chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flowers
2 parts catnip (Nepeta cataria) leaf
1 part fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed
1 part spearmint (Mentha spicata) leaf
1 part ginger (Zingiber officinalis) root
Dosage: 2-5 years old: 15 drops, 6-10 years old: 30 drops, 11-16 years old: 60 drops, adult: 90 drops
Respiratory and Cough Formula:
2 parts Violet (Viola odorata) flower
2 parts Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) leaf or flower
1 part Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) root
1 part Elecampane (Inula helenium) root
1 part Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) leaf
Dosage: 2-5 years old: 15 drops, 6-10 years old: 30 drops, 11-16 years old: 60 drops, adult: 90 drops
Cold and Flu formula:
2 parts Elder (Sambucus spp.) berry
2 parts Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) root
1 part Elder (Sambucus spp.) flowers
1 part Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) leaf
1 part Rose (Rosa spp.) hips
Dosage: 2-5 years old: 15 drops, 6-10 years old: 30 drops, 11-16 years old: 60 drops, adult: 90 drops
Calming and Sleep formula:
2 parts Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.) herb
2 parts Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower
1 part Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) herb
1 part Lavender (Lavandula spp.) flower
For sleep, add 2 parts Valerian (Valeriana spp.)
Dosage: 2-5 years old: 15 drops, 6-10 years old: 30 drops, 11-16 years old: 60 drops, adult: 90 drops