The

Guide to Herbal Preparations

1
Herbal Infusions & Decoctions

2 Tinctures
6
3 Mushroom Extracts Fire Cider

4 Glycerites
7
Syrups

5 Medicinal Vinegars
8
Herbal Infused Oils

9
Salves

10
Chest Rubs
Herbal Infusions & Decoctions
Tea is a water extract of herbs called an infusion. Hot infusions
draw out vitamins, enzymes, and aromatic volatile oils.
Hot Infusions Cold Infusions
Hot infusions draw out vitamins, enzymes, Cold Infusions are ideal for slimy herbs and herbs
and aromatic volatile oils. A few good with delicate essential oils. A few good herbs for cold
herbs for hot infusions include Chamo- infusions include Marshmallow root, Chia seed, and
mile, Holy Basil, Ginger, Nettle, Pepper- fresh Lemon Balm.
mint, and Skullcap.
basic method
basic method • Fill a quart jar with cold water.
• Scoop 1-3 tablespoons of dried herb into • Bundle 1oz of herb in cheesecloth.
a strainer. • Slightly moisten the bundled herb.
• Heat 1 cup of water until it just comes to • Submerge the bundle just below the water in the jar.
a boil. • Drape the tied end over the lip of the jar.
• Place strainer in your cup. • Secure by loosely screwing on the cap.
• Pour hot water over herbs and cover to • Allow to infuse overnight.
keep the essential oils from escaping.
• Steep for 15 minutes to 1 hour and strain. alternate method
• Place herbs in a quart jar, fill with cold water, and
cap. Allow to infuse overnight.
Decoctions
Decoctions are simmered teas
that are perfect for the extrac-
tion of hard roots, dried ber-
ries, barks, and seeds.

basic method
• Place 3 tablespoons of dried
herb into a small saucepan.
• Cover the herbs with a quart
of cold water.
• Slowly heat the water to a fun tip!
simmer and cover.
Add a bit of honey, fruit
• Allow to gently simmer for
juice, Licorice root
20 to 45 minutes.
powder, or powdered
• Strain the herb and reserve
Stevia leaf to sweeten
the tea in a quart jar.
your tea. Freeze in ice
• Pour additional hot water
cube trays or popsicle
back through the herb in the
molds. Kids love these
strainer to fill your jar.
herbal ice pops!
Tinctures
Tinctures are concentrated
herbal extracts using
alcohol as the solvent. You
can use any spirit you like, but
we prefer something neutral
like vodka to fully experience
the flavor of the herb.

Tinctures can be made with

fresh or dried flowers, leaves,
roots, barks, or berries, and
they can be taken by the drop-
per or diluted in tea.
Tinctures: The Folk Method
Simple, practical, and efficient, this
method allows you to estimate your
measurements by eye. The only
supplies you'll need include organic
herbs, glass jars, a knife or chopper,
metal funnel, cheesecloth, alcohol,
and amber glass dropper bottles.
Tinctures
How Much Plant Material To Use?
Fresh Herbal Material: Leaves & Flowers
• Finely chop or grind clean herb to release
juice and expose surface area.
• Only fill the jar 2/3 to 3/4 with herb.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar.
Cover plants completely!
• Jar should appear full of herb, but herb
should move freely when shaken.

Fresh Herbal Material: Roots, Barks & Berries

• Finely chop or grind clean plants to release
juice and expose surface area.
• Only fill the jar 1/3 to 1/2 with fresh roots,
barks, or berries.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar. Cover
plants completely!
• Jar should appear full of herb, but herb should
move freely when shaken.
Tinctures
Leaves & Flowers
Vs. Roots, Barks & Berries
Dried Herbal Material: Leaves & Flowers
• Use finely cut herbal material.
• Only fill the jar 1/2 to 3/4 with herb.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar and
cover plants completely!

Dried Herbal Material: Roots, Barks & Berries

• Use finely cut herbal material.
• Only fill the jar 1/4 to 1/3 with dried roots,
barks, or berries.
• Pour alcohol to the very top of the jar and
cover plants completely!
• Roots and berries will expand by 1/2 their
size when reconstituted!
 40%-50% (80-90 proof vodka)
• "Standard" percentage range for tinctures.
• Good for most dried herbs and fresh herbs that are
not super juicy.
• Good for extraction of water soluble properties.
Tinctures
Alcohol Percentages 67.5%-70% (1/2 80 proof vodka + 1/2 190 proof
grain alcohol)
• Extracts the most volatile aromatic properties.
• Good for fresh high-moisture herbs like lemon balm,
berries, and aromatic roots.
• The higher alcohol percentage will draw out more of
the plant juices.

85%-95% (190 proof grain alcohol)

• Good for dissolving gums and resins – but not

necessary for most plant material.
• Extracts the aromatics and essential oils bound in a
plant that do not dissipate easily.
• The alcohol strength can produce a tincture that is
not easy to take. Stronger is not always better!
• Often used for drop dosage plants.
• Will totally dehydrate herbs.
Tinctures
Extraction Time, Bottling
Store your tincture in a cool, dry, dark cabinet.
Shake several times a week. If the alcohol
evaporates a bit and the herb is not totally
submerged, top off the jar with more alcohol.
Herbs exposed to air can introduce mold and
bacteria into your tincture. Extract for 6-8 weeks.

Time to squeeze! Drape a damp cheesecloth over

a funnel. Pour contents of tincture into an amber
glass bottle. Allow to drip, then squeeze.

Optional: Blend herbs into a mush and strain

remaining liquid.

Keep extracts in a cool, dark place and your

tinctures will last for many years.
Tinctures: Labels
This last step is perhaps the most important of all!

Once you've strained and bottled your tincture, be sure to

label each bottle with as much detail as possible. You'll be
so happy to have this information to play with next time
you tincture the same herb. Don't lean on your sense of
taste or smell alone – regardless of how well-honed your
organoleptic skills may be, tinctures can trick even the
most experienced herbalist. Skipping this step will surely
lead to a dusty collection of unused mystery extracts.

Important details to include on your labels:

Common Name
Latin Name
Part Used
Fresh/Dried
Alcohol %
Habitat/Source
Date
Dosage
Mushroom Double Extraction
Medicinal mushrooms have become very popular over the
last few years. From Shiitake and Reishi, to Chaga and
Maitake, more and more folks are feeling drawn to these
fascinating and useful fungi.

Making a “double extraction” is our preferred method

since mushrooms contain some constituents that are
water-soluble, called beta-glucans, and some that are
alcohol-soluble, called triterpenes. A double extraction
effectively pulls out these constituents with the added
benefit of being shelf-stable!
Mushroom Double Extraction
Ingredients
• 80 proof or higher alcohol (we use vodka)
• Organic dried mushrooms such as Reishi,
Maitake, Chaga, or Shiitake
• Spring water

Equipment
• Quart-size glass jars
• Stock pot
• Straining equipment: funnel and cheesecloth
Mushroom Double Extraction
Instructions
• Make an alcohol extract by filling a glass jar halfway full of dried
mushrooms. Fill jar with the alcohol, making sure that it completely
covers the mushrooms but leave about a 1/2 inch of space at the
top of the jar. Let it sit for a month, shaking daily.
• After a month, strain mushroom-infused alcohol into another
glass jar and set aside.
• Next, make a water extract by bringing a half gallon of water to a
simmer in a stock pot. Add the mushrooms from the alcohol
extract to the simmering water.
• Simmer the mushrooms for about 2 hours, until the water has
reduced to approximately 8-16 ounces. Make sure to keep an eye
on the water level, as you don’t want it to completely evaporate.
You may need to add water to the pot throughout the process.
• Let it cool. Strain and compost the mushrooms, reserving the
mushroom-infused water.
• Combine the water extract with the alcohol extract.
• The final product is your mushroom double extract! The alcohol
percentage should be somewhere between 25-35%, making it
shelf-stable.
Glycerites
Have you been searching for an alternative to alcohol-based
tinctures? Maybe you like your remedies a little on the sweet
side?
A great solvent for preserving plant constituents without the use
of alcohol, glycerine extracts are also known as “glycerites” and
make an excellent choice for administering herbal support to
pets, children, or people with alcohol sensitivities.

Glycerites have a shelf life of 14-24 months.

Glycerites
Ratios: A mixture of 60% or more glycer-
ine to 40% or less water is a safe ratio.
If you are working with fresh, moist herbs,
you can use 100% glycerine for your ex-
tract, just be sure to muddle well.
• Fill a glass jar 1/2 full with dried herb
or 2/3 full with fresh herb.
• In a separate jar, mix 3 parts organic
vegetable glycerine and 1 part dis-
tilled water. Shake to combine.
• Pour liquid mixture over the herb
and completely cover to fill the jar.
• Label container with date, ratio of Wondering which herbs to try first?
glycerine to water, and herbs used. Burdock, Chamomile, Cleavers,
Agitate daily for 4-6 weeks. Dandelion, Echinacea, Elderflowers,
• Strain with cheesecloth, bottle, Fennel, Ginger, Goldenseal, Haw-
label. thorn, Mugwort, Mullein, Nettle,
Oat Tops, Peppermint, Skullcap,
Valerian.
Herbal Infused Vinegars
Did you know that vinegar can be infused with medicinal herbs to create wonderful alcohol-free
extracts? While not as potent as alcohol based tinctures, an herbal vinegar extract is another
effective alternative for children or anyone abstaining from alcohol.
Vinegar has been used for thousands of years to preserve food, disinfect surfaces, deodorize, and
to make medicinal formulas. In fact, before stills were used to produce high-proof alcohol, most
herbal extracts were made with solvents like water, wine, and vinegar. The original Four Thieves
formula is thought to have been made with vinegar as the base.
We know that vinegar, especially raw apple cider vinegar, offers health benefits in addition to its
extraction abilities. Studies show that vinegar can be helpful for maintaining normal blood sugar
and cholesterol levels, is helpful for maintaining healthy skin and hair, as well as aiding in diges-
tion and managing fatigue. Medicinal extractions can be made with vinegar alone or with both
vinegar and alcohol to create an acetous tincture. This method will release more active properties
than vinegar alone, but straight vinegar extracts still have a lot to offer if
properly prepared.
Dried herbs tend to produce the most effective medicinal vinegar extract,
but fresh herbs can be used to make nutritive or culinary recipes, since the
vinegar will extract minerals as well as the flavor of the herbs.
Herbal Infused Vinegars
• Chop or grind your dried herb to a coarse powder. You can also find many
powdered medicinal herbs available online at www.mountainroseherbs.com.
Fill 1/5 of your sterilized jar with the herb. Pour organic apple cider vinegar
over the herb until the jar is filled to the top. Cover tightly and allow to extract
for 14 days in a cool, dark place. Be sure to shake the jar daily.

• After 2 weeks, strain the herb through cheesecloth. Set the strained liquid in
a capped jar on a shelf and allow the sediment to settle overnight. Decant the
clear liquid layer into another sterilized jar using a strainer. Cap tightly, label,
and store for up to 6 months in a cool, dark place.

• If you are infusing the vinegar with roots or barks, there is one more step.
Once the mixture has extracted for 2 weeks and the herbs have been strained
out, heat the infusion just short of boiling and filter through cloth while hot.
The heat will help congeal albumin in the solution that can then be removed
when straining. Excess albumin can encourage your extract to spoil quickly.

• Due to the acid content in vinegar, be sure to avoid direct contact with your
teeth. You may want to mix each dose of medicinal vinegar with water or tea
to dilute the acidity.
Fire Cider
Fire Cider is a traditional remedy with deep roots in folk medicine. The tasty combination of
vinegar infused with powerful spices makes this recipe especially pleasant and easy to
incorporate into your daily diet to help boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion,
and get you nice and warmed up on cold days.
Because this is a folk preparation, the ingredients can change from year to year depending
on when you make it and what's growing around you. The standard base ingredients are
apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, but there are plenty
of other herbs that can be thrown in for added kick. Some people like to bury their fire cider
jar in the ground for a month while it extracts and then dig it up during a great feast to cel-
ebrate the changing of the seasons.
Optional Ingredients:
Thyme, Horseradish Root Powder, Reships, Star Anise, Schisandra Berries, Astragalus,
Burdock, Oregano, Peppercorns, Beet Root Powder, Habanero Powder, Bird's Eye Chili
Powder, Whole Chili Peppers, Orange, Grapefruit, and Lime.
Fire Cider
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup fresh grated organic ginger root

• 1/2 cup fresh grated organic horseradish root

directions
Prepare all of your roots, fruits, and herbs and
• 1 medium organic onion, chopped
place them in a quart sized jar. If you've never
• 10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped grated fresh horseradish, be prepared for a
powerful sinus opening experience! Use a piece
• 2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
of natural parchment paper under the lid to
• Zest and juice from 1 organic lemon keep the vinegar from touching the metal or a
plastic lid if you have one. Shake well! Store in a
• Several sprigs of fresh organic rosemary or 2
dark, cool place for one month and remember
tbsp of dried rosemary leaves
to shake daily.
• 1 tbsp organic turmeric powder
After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out
• 1/4 tsp organic cayenne powder the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be
• organic apple cider vinegar sure to squeeze as much of the liquid goodness
as you can from the pulp while straining. Next,
• raw local honey to taste comes the honey! Add 1/4 cup of honey and stir
until incorporated. Taste your cider and add
another 1/4 cup until you reach the desired
sweetness.
Herbal Syrups
Syrup is a great way to administer those not-so-pleasant tasting herbs to kids and adults
alike. Also a versatile preparation for culinary recipes, herb infused syrup makes a great
addition to teas, desserts, bubbly beverages, cocktails, or simply on its own by the
spoonful! Syrups can be prepared with sugar, but we love to use raw local honey!
The best thing about syrups is that like tea or tinctures, you can formulate with any
combination of herbs to create remedies for your needs. While Elderberry syrup is the
most popular, we also enjoy Ginger, Thyme, Elecampane, Chamomile, Peppermint,
Marshmallow root, Schisandra berry, Echinacea root, Elder flower, Hawthorn berry, Holy
Basil, and Hop flower syrups!
Tip: For proper preservation, a ratio of 1:1 (tea to honey) is recommended. You can also add
some tincture to help preserve your syrup longer and give it an extra medicinal boost.
Herbal Syrups
berry rooty syrup
directions
ingredients
Combine herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil.
• 3 cups cold water
Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer for 30 to 40 min-
• ¾ cup organic elderberries
utes. Remove from heat and mash the berries in the liquid
• ¼ cup organic schisandra berries
mixture. Strain the herbs through cheesecloth and squeeze
• ¼ cup organic eleuthero root
out the juice. Measure the liquid and add an equal amount
• ¼ cup organic echinacea root
of honey. Gently heat the honey and juice for a few min-
• 1 organic cinnamon stick
utes until well combined. Do not boil! Stir in brandy and
• ¾ to 1 cup raw local honey
bottle in sterilized glass. Label and keep refrigerated for up
• 1.5 ounces brandy (optional)
to 6 months.*
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger root (optional)
Optional: Add 1 part tincture or brandy to 3 parts syrup for a
medicinal boost and longer shelf life.
Pour syrup into bottles and label. Store in the refrigerator,
where it will last for up to 6 months.
Herbal Infused Oils
Simply infusing oil with herbs can transform
them into medicinal preparations. You can use
herbal infused oils as the base for homemade
massage oils, salves, lip balms, facial serums,
hair treatments, body creams, soaps, and more!
A variety of dried herbs and organic carrier oils
can be used depending on your specific needs.
Jojoba oil and olive oil are wise choices because
they have a long shelf life and are suitable for a
variety of topical applications.
Herbs To Infuse
Arnica Flowers Myrrh
Calendula Flowers Peppermint
Cayenne Peppers Plantain
Cedar Tips Poke Root
Chamomile Rose
Chickweed Rosemary
Comfrey St. John’s Wort
Lavender Thyme
Lemon Balm Vanilla Beans
Mullein Flowers Yarrow
Feel free to combine herbs or infused oils to create
special blends:
Floral Oil – This aromatic oil smells divine and will lift
the spirit. Apply to the skin after a shower, bath, or
during a massage. To make, infuse organic rose
petals, lavender flowers, or chamomile flowers in
organic jojoba oil.
Sleep Oil – A fragrant blend of relaxing herbs, use
after a bath or shower to help find tranquility and
sleep. You can also rub on the temples at night
before bed. Infuse a mixture of organic hops, chamo-
mile flowers, and lavender flowers in organic olive or
jojoba oil.
Folk Method Quick Method
• Place dried herbs in a clean quart jar. If using fresh herbs, Another way to infuse oils in a pinch
wilt them first for at least 12 hours to remove the moisture uses direct heat. Much care needs to be
(moisture will cause your oil to go rancid), cut into small taken when creating herbal oils this way,
pieces, and crush with a mortar and pestle before adding because you don't want to fry your
to the jar. You can find an extensive selection of dried herbs!
herbs at www.mountainroseherbs.com. • Place herbs in a crock-pot, double
• Pour enough oil to cover herbs by at least 1”and leave at boiler, or electric yogurt maker, and
least 1/2” of space at the top of the jar so the herbs will cover with organic extra virgin olive oil
have room to expand. If your herbs soak up all of the oil, (or other carrier oil of choice) leaving at
then pour more oil on top to ensure that the herbs are least an inch or two of oil above the
completely covered. herbs. Gently heat the herbs over very
• Stir well and cap the jar tightly. low heat (preferably between 100 to 140
degrees Fahrenheit) for 1-5 hours until
• Place the jar on a warm, sunny windowsill and shake
the oil takes on the color and scent of
once or more per day. You can also cover the jar with a
the herb.
brown paper bag if you prefer that to direct sunlight.
• Turn off the heat and allow to cool.
• After 4-6 weeks, strain the herbs out of the oil using
Once the oil is ready, strain using
cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze out every precious
cheesecloth and bottle into dry, steril-
drop of oil!
ized amber bottles for storage in a cool,
• Pour into glass bottles and store in a cool dark place. The dark place. Vitamin E oil may be added
oil should keep for at least a year. Vitamin E oil may also at this point to prolong the shelf life.
be added to prolong the shelf life.
Herbal Salves
Salves are such a simple, effective, and useful medicinal preparations! They can
easily be slipped into a purse, pocket, or first aid kit. Although semi-solid at
room temperature, salves soften once applied to the skin, making them less
messy to apply than oils. They also make great gifts and are an easy and ap-
proachable way to introduce newbies to the medicinal properties of herbs.
Plus, salves can be crafted for a wide variety of topical uses. The addition of
beeswax offers additional benefits including protective, soothing, emollient,
nourishing, and healing properties.
Salve Method
• 8 oz herbal infused oil(s) of your choice. Choose one or a combination.
• 1 oz Beeswax (use Carnauba Wax for a vegan salve)
• Vitamin E Oil (optional)
• 10-20 drops essential oil of choice (optional). Some essential oils commonly
used are Lavender and Tea Tree.
• Glass Jars or Tin Containers

directions
Place herbal infused oil and beeswax over a double boiler and gently warm over low heat until the
beeswax melts. Remove from heat and add the essential oil and Vitamin E oil. Quickly pour into
tins or glass jars and allow to cool completely. Salves should be stored in a cool location where
they will remain semi-solid and will not continue to melt and solidify. If stored correctly, salves
will last for 1- 3 years. Yields 8 oz.
TIP: The consistency of salves can easily be adjusted depending on your preferences. Use less
beeswax for a softer salve and more beeswax if you prefer a firmer salve. You can test the
consistency by placing a few spoons in the freezer before making your salve. When the beeswax
melts, pour a little salve on one of the cold spoons and place it back into the freezer for 1-2
minutes. Once cool, you can make adjustments by adding more oil for a softer salve or more
beeswax for a firmer salve.
Herbal Chest Rubs
Need something cooling and soothing to open up the respiratory passages, but want to steer clear of
petroleum-based products? Unfortunately, most of the chest rubs we grew up using are made with a base of
petroleum jelly and turpentine, along with herbal ingredients that are actually helpful, like eucalyptus and
menthol. Such a shame! Making your own rubs at home is super easy and allows you to harness the powerful
benefits of these plants without relying on a byproduct of the oil industry. All you need is a simple salve base of
organic carrier oil and beeswax to get started. You can then add essential oils or menthol crystals to formulate a
remedy for your needs.

You may be familiar with the strong scent of menthol, but what exactly are menthol crystals? Menthol is a solid
constituent of mint oil that gives the plant its strong fragrance. These potent crystals are made from cornmint
(Mentha arvensis) essential oil using a totally natural process. The distilled essential oil is chilled to a tempera-
ture of -22 degrees Celsius to isolate and crystallize the menthol. These crystals dissolve readily in alcohol and
can be dissolved in water or oil at a melting point of 111.2 degrees Farenheit. Menthol crystals are often used in
cosmetics, salves, balms, creams, throat lozenges, toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, foot sprays, pain relief, sham-
poos, liniments, shaving creams, compresses, and cooling gels. Since menthol crystals are so concentrated,
only a small amount is needed to make these recipes.
Basic Vapor Rub Menthol Chest Balm
• 8 oz organic carrier oil (we used almond oil) • 8 oz organic carrier oil (we used olive)
• 3/4 oz – 1 oz natural beeswax, coarsely • 1/2 – 1 tsp organic menthol crystals
chopped or use pastilles • 3/4 oz – 1 oz natural beeswax, coarsely
• 25 drops organic eucalyptus essential oil chopped or use pastilles
• 10 drops organic peppermint essential oil • 20 drops organic eucalyptus essential oil
• 10 drops organic rosemary essential oil
directions
Depending on the texture you want, measure directions
out the beeswax. Less wax will yield more of Depending on the texture you want, measure out
an ointment viscosity, while using the whole the beeswax. Less wax will yield more of an oint-
ounce of wax will create a more solid, lip ment viscosity, while the whole ounce of wax will
balm like consistency. Place beeswax and oil create a more solid, lip balm like consistency. Heat
in the top of a double boiler and heat gently the olive oil and beeswax in a double boiler until the
until the beeswax melts. Remove from the beeswax melts. Remove from heat. Add menthol
stovetop and stir in the essential oils, count- crystals (1/2 tsp for a gentle balm or 1 tsp for a stron-
ing each drop carefully. Immediately pour the ger remedy) and essential oils, stir until dissolved,
mixture into glass jars and place lids loosely and quickly pour into jars. Immediately place lids
over the jars so the oils don't escape, but loosely over the jars so the oils don't escape, but
allow to cool completely before placing caps allow to cool completely before placing caps onto
onto the containers. the containers.
Note: The menthol crystals may be irritating when inhaled, so always
use them in a well ventilated area or wear a mask if needed.
find supplies online:
Organic Bulk Herbs
Organic Carrier Oils
Organic Essential Oils
Organic Glycerine
Organic Menthol Crystals
Butters and Waxes
Tea Supplies
Amber Dropper Bottles
Salve Tins
Glass Jars
Cheesecloth
Funnels
Herbal Medicine Making Books
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