DIY: Herbal Tinctures and Liniments

Tinctures

Sedative Tincture
Place 1 and a half ounces of chamomile and 1 and a half teaspoons of
powdered peppermint into a half quart of vodka. Allow to steep for 2
weeks, shaking daily. Strain and bottle. Use as a sedative for adults
Dosage is half a dropperful under the tongue, as needed.

Valerian Root Tincture
Although this tincture is a great sedative, it is also use to clean
sores, clod sores, poison ivy rash, and a host of other skin ailments.
It is wonderful for certain tension headaches and for sinus headaches.
It is truly a great relaxant. Since it is a great muscle relaxant, it
would be helpful to take orally for sore muscles or when suffering from
back injury. Dosage for adults would be half a dropperful every 4 hours
or so for muscle spasms due to back pain. The smell is awful, so I place
the liquid in #00 capsules and give the dosage that way. Skullcap is a
good substitute if valerian is not available. Both have a sedative
effect. Just add 4 ounces of valerian (or skullcap) to 1 pint of vodka
or other alcohol and allow to sit 2 weeks. Strain and bottle.

Rosemary Tincture
This tincture is good to take internally to prevent colds or to fight
infections. Because of the antibiotic nature of this tincture, it is
also good to use to clean cuts and scrapes. It removes bacteria and
prevents infections. Add 4 ounces of rosemary needles to 1 pint of vodka
and allow to sit for 2 weeks. Strain and use a half a dropperful every 2
hours for a couple of days. Then cut back to 2 times daily for about 2
weeks to treat infections and colds.

Tincture for Teenagers
Place a half a cup of chopped onion in 1 cup of olive oil and allow to
steep for 2 weeks. Strain and bottle. Use on pimples to help dry then
up. Allow the liquid to stay on the spots for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

Earache Tincture
Fill a small jar with mullein flowers and cover with olive oil. Allow to
strand in the sun for 1 week, shaking daily. Strain and place in sterile
jar. Apply 3 - 4 drops to affected ear as needed and cover with a warm cloth.

Clove Oil
Clove oil is great to use for toothaches. You can make your own by
mixing together equal amounts of whole cloves and vegetable oil and
allowing it to sit for several weeks. Cinnamon oil can be made the same way.

 Liniments

Liniment for Colds and Chest Tightness
Add 1 cup of finely chopped garlic to 1 cup of boiling lard. Reduce heat
to simmer and cook for 2 hours. Remove from heat and strain the garlic
fro the oil. Place in a container with a tight-fitting lid.

Rheumatic Pain Ointment
Place a half cup of rosemary leaves and 1/2 teaspoon oil of cloves in 1
cup of vegetable oil. Simmer gently for 20 minutes. Strain well and
bottle. Make a poultice and use as often as necessary for rheumatic pain.

Wormwood Liniment
To 1 gallon of white vinegar, add 4 ounces wormwood herb and seed. Let
sit for 2 weeks. Strain, bottle and label. When the time comes to use
this remedy, beat 4 egg whites. Slowly add 1 quart of the wormwood
mixture and 4 ounces of pure turpentine. Keep tightly capped. Shake well
before using. Saturate bandages and wrap around the legs when needed.
This is good to use for arthritis and stiffness.

Liniment for Aching Body
Add 2 ounces of powdered golden seal to 1 quart of rubbing alcohol. Let
set for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Use as a massage for aching muscles.

Tonics

Feverfew Tonic
Pour 1 pint boiling water over 1 ounce dried feverfew. Let steep 15
minutes, covered. Strain and sweeten. Drink in 1.2 cup doses for 1 day.
This is a stimulant for the nervous system

Tonic Mix
Mix together 1 ounce of each of the following dried herbs:
Horehound
Hyssop
Licorice Root
Marsh Mallow Root

Add 2 pint of water. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by 1/4. You
should have about 1 an 1/2 pints of the tonic. Strain and dose with 1/2
cup of the liquid every couple of hours for 1 day of every week for a
month. This tones up the respiratory tract and also stimulates and
nourishes the adrenal glands.

Wine Tonic
Put 1 cup of Sage in the blender and add 1 pint of burgundy or claret.
Blend until sage is in very small pieces. Allow to age for several weeks
and strain. Take during times of stress or as a general tonic but the
tablespoon as needed.

A Good Stimulant
Add 3 tablespoons of angelica to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and steep
10 minutes. This really perks you up. Take when you feel the need to add
"get up and go" to your system. Aids in loosening and eliminating the
catarrhal discharges from the urinary and bronchial systems. Good
expectorant to use during colds and to treat chest complaints. Aids in
eliminating gas, so would be used to treat colic and indigestion also.

Nausea
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon dried chamomile and steep 10
minutes. Strain. Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon to the tea before adding
sugar to taste.


Headaches and Sedatives

Headaches
Pour 2 cups boiling water over 3 tablespoons dried primrose flowers and
leaves. Let stand, covered, about 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink
warm or hot. Use 1 heaping teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers for each
cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey.

Anti - Depressive
Put a handful of fresh chopped rosemary into a bottle of white wine. Let
is sit about 4 days. Strain and use by the tablespoon as needed.

For Trouble Getting to Sleep
Pour 1 pint of boiling water over 1 ounce of feverfew flowers. Cover and
steep until cool. Strain and sweeten with honey. Drink Cool.

Valerian Tea
Caution: Take this only once a day (at bedtime, to induce sleep). Pour 1
pint boiling water over 1 teaspoon powdered valerian root. Cover and
steep 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Add a pinch of mace as flavoring
if desired.