Whether you’re a home herbalist or clinical practitioner, getting the alcohol percentage right is crucial for both effective extraction and long-term preservation of your tinctures. This comprehensive reference combines field-tested data from two respected sources to help you make informed decisions about your herbal preparations.
How to Use This Reference
Simply type any herb name in the search box to instantly find:
* Recommended alcohol percentages
Understanding the Data
This reference synthesizes:
Pacific Northwest field data from Scott Kloos (2010) – tested ratios for fresh and dry preparations
General extraction guidelines from Nikki Hess/Monarch Herbs – broader ABV ranges for dry herbs
Where sources differ, both are listed so you can make informed choices based on your materials and methods.
Key Principles to Remember
Alcohol Percentage Basics:
High alcohol (70-95%): For resins, volatile oils, and alkaloids (e.g., propolis, myrrh, fresh aromatic herbs)
Medium alcohol (40-70%): For most standard extractions, balanced constituents
Low alcohol (20-40%): For water-soluble constituents like polysaccharides, minerals, and mucilage
Fresh vs. Dry Considerations:
Fresh plants contain significant water content, so they typically require higher alcohol percentages to achieve the desired final concentration. Dry herbs have moisture removed, allowing lower initial alcohol percentages.
Preservation Note:
While some references show alcohol as low as 20-25%, this is the absolute minimum for preservation. For long-term storage (5+ years), 30% or higher is recommended. Remember that alcohol evaporates faster than water, so percentages decrease over time.
Safety First
Several entries include important safety notes – particularly for toxic plants (like Yew), photosensitizing herbs (Cow Parsnip), or those requiring special preparation (Cascara Sagrada must age one year). Always research thoroughly before working with unfamiliar plants.
[table “1” not found /]About This Project
This reference was compiled to make tincture-making information more accessible to the herbal community. The data represents decades of combined experience from respected herbalists and should serve as a starting point for your own practice.
For educational purposes only. Always verify plant identification and safety before use. Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice.
Sources:
Pacific Northwest Tincture Chart © 2010 Scott Kloos
Herbal Tincture ABV Reference compiled by Nikki Hess, Monarch Herbs