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Tinctures are one of the most common herbal preparations. They have been made and used for centuries because they are versatile, practical, and long-lasting. They are a convenient way to preserve your herb harvest, no electricity required. Learn what a tincture is and how to store it here.
The mathematical method is the most precise, most consistent way to make tinctures. How can you utilize this method?
In this article, we'll cover the following:
- What Is the Mathematical Method?
- Breaking Down the Mathematical Method
- How to Make a Tincture (Steps 1-5)
- Tincture Storage Tips
This article focuses on an herbal preparation. See the Using Herbs article for more information about using herbs. And see the Herbal Preparations Overview and the other articles in the Read More section at the bottom of the article for other ideas for ways to preserve your herb harvest.
This article discusses how to make a tincture using the mathematical method. Learn about the other method of tincture preparation, the folk method, here.
Let's get right into it!
What Is the Mathematical Method?
The mathematical method is 1 of the 2 main ways to make a tincture. It is also called the ratio method, the mathematical ratio method, and the weight-to-volume method.
The mathematical method is referenced in the Ingestibility section of our gardening facts articles for plants that can be tinctured. For example, the Growing Feverfew article states, "An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:4 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a feverfew tincture." Mathematical method tincture formulas are written in herb-to-solvent ratios like this.
This is because the mathematical method is more precise than the folk method. It considers the weight and composition of the plant being used as well as the percentage of alcohol that will best extract that specific plant's constituents. This information comes from scientific studies and extensive observation.
The numbers in the tincture ratio equate to herb weight in grams : alcohol volume in milliliters.
The mathematical method is almost ubiquitous among commercial tincture producers because its precision means that every batch will be identical or at least very similar, which makes health and safety inspections easier.
The folk method is most common among home herbalists and gardeners, but the mathematical method can also be used if you prefer to be more precise. As mentioned in the What is a Tincture? article, I do a hybrid of the 2 methods. I look at the herb:solvent ratio and estimate my proportions from there rather than measuring them precisely.
Learn about the faster, less precise folk method here.
Let's discuss how to interpret the herb:solvent ratio, also known as the tincture ratio.
Breaking Down the Mathematical Method
Let's break down the way the ratio is written using the feverfew example above, 1:4 at 40%.
As mentioned, this is an herb:solvent ratio, also called a weight:volume ratio. So we could put those 2 names together to a get a better picture of what is being measured here — the herb weight to the solvent volume.
The solvent in this case is alcohol. The ratio in this example means that for every 1 gram (g) of feverfew, 4 milliliters (mL) of alcohol should be used.
Likewise, if you used 50g of feverfew, you would use 200mL of alcohol in Steps 2 and 3 below.
So in case we don't have enough names for this ratio, we could also call it the grams:milliliters (g:mL) ratio.
The percentage of alcohol, 40% in the feverfew example, refers to the percentage of alcohol in the liquor you are using, NOT in the entire tincture mixture. Again, use the herb:solvent ratio above to determine how much herb and alcohol to use in your tincture.
Double the alcohol percentage to determine which proof alcohol you should be using. So 40% alcohol means that the liquor you use should be at least 80 proof.
Learn more about why alcohol is used as the solvent for tinctures here.
Now that you know what the mathematical method is and how to interpret tincture ratios, it's time to get out your jars. Read on to learn how to make a tincture using the mathematical method!
How to Make a Tincture Using the Mathematical Method
You can prepare a tincture using the mathematical method with the following steps:
Step 1: Pick Your Jar
Select the jar that your tincture will steep in. I usually use a quart-size mason jar. You may need a larger or smaller jar, depending on the amount of herb and whether you are tincturing it fresh or dried.
With the mathematical method, you can either start with your jar size and calculate your herb and alcohol proportions from there, or you can select your jar size based on the amount of herb and alcohol you have.
The jar should be airtight, but a canning seal is not needed.
Step 2: Chop, Measure, and Add Herbs
Break or chop your herbs into small pieces. The goal is to have more of the herb's surface area exposed to the alcohol. This will result in more of the herb's constituents (its beneficial qualities) being infused into the mixture.
Measure your herbs. For this method, consult the tincture ratio — such as the "1:4 at 40%" in the example in the Breaking Down the Mathematical Method section above — and measure your herb. Remember that the herb is the first number in the ratio, and it is measured by its weight in grams (g).
Place the herbs in the jar in the amount you have calculated.
Step 3: Add Alcohol to Jar
Next, measure the alcohol and add it to the jar. Remember that the alcohol amount is the second number in the tincture ratio and that it is measured by its volume in milliliters (mL).
Many herbs will float upward while you are doing this, so be sure that the herbs are covered by the alcohol by at least an inch. This ensures that no herb pieces are exposed to air while steeping, which can cause them to mold. It may be necessary to stir and push down the herbs.
Close the lid on the jar. Again, a canning seal is not necessary, but be sure to twist the lid on all the way.
Step 4: Steep
Allow the herbs to sit in the jar for 4-6 weeks. Longer is fine too, but this is the standard timeframe. This is technically called macerating, but steeping is a more familiar synonym.
Every 1-2 days, move the jar around. You can turn it upside-down, roll it between your hands, gently shake it, and/or any other motion that moves the herbs in the mixture around. The jar should remain completely closed during this process.
This regular movement allows more of the herbs' surface area to contact the alcohol. It also makes the tincture less likely to mold on the off chance that a piece of herb was sticking up and got exposed to the air.
After the movement, make sure no herb pieces are sticking up out of the alcohol and return it to its storage place.
Store the steeping tincture in a cool, dry, dark place out of direct sunlight.
Step 5: Strain
After 4-6 weeks have passed, prepare the jar that you will strain your tincture into. Make sure it is completely clean and is sitting on a level surface.
Place a mini-strainer on top of the jar. I use (and love) this one. Place a cheesecloth or similar fabric on top of the strainer.
Remove the lid from the steeping tincture's jar. Pour the mixture through the cheesecloth and mini-strainer into the other jar. You might need to pour a small amount at a time (rather than 1 long pour) since the cheesecloth may absorb a small amount of the liquid as you pour.
And enjoy! You just made a tincture using the mathematical method.
For tips on how to use and store your tincture, check out our What is a Tincture? article here.
Read More
Some herbs used for tinctures have other uses in herbal and culinary preparations. Read more in the simple uses articles for some commonly tinctured herbs:
- Simple Uses for Feverfew
- Simple Uses for Motherwort
- Simple Uses for Catnip
- Simple Uses for the Toothache Plant
- Simple Uses for Echinacea
And check out these related articles:
- How to Make a Tincture: Folk Method
- What is a Tincture?
- Tincture Basics
- How to Make a Hot Herbal Infusion
- How to Make an Herbal Decoction
- How to Make an Herbal Syrup