Homemade Chamomile Tincture Recipe

Remember the organic, whole flower Chamomile I told you about HERE? 
(I made tea with it)  It's even better with Vodka!

Organic, whole-flower Chamomile

Let me explain.  I haven't lost my mind or gone off the deep end.  I'm talking about herbal tinctures!  I won't get into the WHY of using alcohol because this guy explains it very well.

The most simple explanation is that the alcohol will extract the good stuff from the herbs and preserve it indefinitely (if stored properly).  The actual alcohol content is minor considering you will only consume 2-10 drops at a time.

As I said yesterday...Making herbal tinctures  for the first time may seem like a daunting task.  Or maybe you think herbal remedies are for granola-eating, tree-hugging dirty hippies.  (I happened to like hippies)

What do you think people did before they had an over-flowing medicine full of junk for that "nightime sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever"???  (Blah...That stuff gives me nightmares!)

They made their own medicine!  And it worked!

I have posted about the health benefits of Chamomile before...

Chamomile can be used topically or orally to treat a number of everyday ailments, such as:

Insomnia and other sleep disorders

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Muscle twitches

Wounds, burns, and scrapes

Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash

Stomach problems such as menstrual cramps, stomach flu, and ulcers

To make your tincture you'll need:
Glass jar *Re-use a pasta sauce jar*
1 cup Dried whole-flower Chamomile
2 cups Vodka
1 cup boiling water

I chose to use dried herbs because I have them on hand.  Because I am using dried herbs I do not need to use 100 proof alcohol and I skipped the water.  There are tons of recipes out there.  When I use fresh herbs I'll use Everclear instead of vodka.
I used organic, whole-flower Chamomile from Mary's Tincture Shop in the Mary's Tincture Shop section.

Directions:
Make sure your jar is clean.  Place the herbs in the jar and Add vodka (and water). Cover tightly with a lid.

Shake or agitate once a week.  Tincture is ready in 4-6 weeks.
Strain out herbs and place in a clean jar.

Dosage for Adults: approx 1 teaspoon 1-3 times per day as needed.  Not for long-term use.

I thought I might share another recipe from Wellness mama:
Ingredients:

1/2 to 1 cup of fresh or freshly dried Chamomile flowers

approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups boiling water

approximately 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups vodka or rum

Quart size glass jar with airtight lid

Directions:

1. Put fresh or dried Chamomile flowers in clean quart size glass jar

2. Pour boiling water over flowers to just cover them (may have to stir)

3. Fill the rest of the jar with vodka or rum (do not use rubbing alcohol or non-consumable alcohol!) and tightly cover with airtight lid.

4. Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily for 4-6 weeks. This will make a strong tincture!

5. After 4-6 weeks, remove from cabinet, and pour through a cheesecloth or strainer. Store in a jar or in tincture vials for easy use.

6. Normal dose for adults is up to 1 tsp 1-3 times a day as needed. For infants, only a few drops are needed, and often it can be rubbed on the gums or stomach for teething or colic pain. For toddlers and older children 1/4 to 1/2 tsp can be taken 1-3 times a day while needed. It is especially useful for babies and young children who are having difficulty sleeping. A dose right before bedtime can help relax and sooth them for more peaceful sleep.

Disclaimer: Chamomile is contraindicated during pregnancy. Not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.