Making Valerian Root and White Willow Bark Tinctures

*** Note this blog post is for entertainment purposes only. I am not a doctor! I am showing you what I did and what I used. Use your own knowledge and judgement for your family and you. ***

Okay, now that the disclaimer is done! Lol! I love to read and learn about herbs and plants that people in the times passed used and some still use today. It amazes me all the plants God gave us to use to help heal ourselves. I started reading these two books about two years ago. They have a wealth of info in them.

The two tinctures that I am going to show you today is Valerian Root and White Willow Bark Tinctures. Valerian Root was used in WWII to help calm people when there were air raids. It was also used to help soldiers when they were injured. You can also use it to help you sleep. White Willow Bark is why we have aspirin today. It can be used the same way as aspirin. Now down to the nitty gritty. lol!

First, you need to get Valerian Root and White Willow Bark. I got mine from MountainRose Herbs.com 

 

Now, you will need to buy some vodka to make your tincture. I used 100 proof. Some of the books that I have read said you can use 80 proof. I use 80 proof for my vanilla extract. 

Next you need a glass jar with a lid. I used pint wide mouth mason jars. What can I say I like to can! :) You will put 2 ounces of herb to 1 pint of vodka. 

 

Now you want to label what it is and the date you made it. Now, with the White Willow Bark you will need to put it in a dark, cool place for 2-3 weeks. The Valerian Root you will need to put it in a dark, cool place for 14 days. You can shake the mixture every few days. Once it has been sitting for the allotted time you are going to strain the herb off and the liquid you have left is your tincture.

 

After you have strained it you want to put the liquid tincture in a dark colored bottle to keep. You also want to label it and the date made. I got these neat amber bottles with dropper lids at MountainRoseHerbs.com

 

Well there you have it my peoples, voila' homemade herbal tinctures! I will be posting more herbal and canning things in the near future! Till next time have a blessed day!