Safe & Effective Methods for Removing Alcohol from Herbal Tinctures

Alcohol is used to extract the oil from herbs; and it also acts as a preservative. Tinctures are created when herbs are steeped in water and alcohol for a number of days or weeks. The tincture is then consumed -- usually diluted with water -- so that the medicinal qualities of the herbs can be of benefit to the user. The alcohol can be removed from tinctures through a process of evaporation. Once the alcohol is removed, the tincture will no longer be preserved, and must be consumed within a couple of days or discarded.

Things You'll Need

• Microwave
• Glass or cup
• Boiling water
• Double Boiler

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Instructions

• 1

  Measure out the tincture you wish to take into a glass or cup. Add a little water and microwave the solution on high for twenty seconds. Allow it to cool. Most of the alcohol will have evaporated.

• 2

  Using the dropper, measure out a dose of tincture and pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over the tincture. Allow the water to cool. By the time it is cool enough to drink, the alcohol will have evaporated.

• 3

  Open the tincture bottle and place it in the top of a double boiler. Boil for 10 to 15 minutes. This should evaporate most of the alcohol. You can refill the liquid to the top with water, if you wish. The disadvantage of this method is that the bottle of tincture is not longer preserved.