How to Make: Infusions, Tinctures, Decoctions, Macerations
Hands That Heal: Crafting Herbal Medicine with Heart, History & a Little Bit of Hoodoo
I’ve been tinkering with ingredients since I was in my single digits — before I could spell "apothecary," I was already one. Somewhere between watching aunties bless food with love and getting bandaged with care by nurses who whispered, “You’ll be just fine,” I realized something: the magic isn’t just in the medicine — it’s in the hands that make it.
Whether it’s a cookie from Grandma’s kitchen or a cup of tea from someone who really sees you, that kind of nourishment hits different. The soul knows when it’s being held. It knows when a remedy carries intention, ritual, and real love. That’s what I want you to remember as we dive into the world of tinctures and tonics — this is ancestral technology. We’re not just making wellness... we're remembering it.
So, bestie — ready to channel your inner medicine woman? Let’s get into how to bless up your kitchen like an altar and make plant magic that supports your nervous system, your hustle, and your whole self.
🌿 HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TINCTURES + TONICS
There are many sacred ways to extract the healing essence of herbs. Each method has its own vibe — from steamy infusions to slow-and-sexy macerations. Here's the breakdown:
💧Infusion
Think: tea. Just hot water and plant matter having a divine conversation. Great for soft, leafy herbs like chamomile or peppermint.
🔥Decoction
This is the long simmer — ideal for tough roots or bark like reishi or ginger. It’s deep, grounding, slow medicine.
🍸Tincture
Plant matter steeped in vodka or alcohol for 4-6 weeks. Powerful, portable, and potent — just a few drops under the tongue can change your whole mood. Think of it as your herbal power move in a bottle.
🌼Maceration
Delicate herbs get infused into oils or cold water over time. These are perfect for beauty rituals, body oils, or when you're trying to soak in the medicine, not sip it.
🌿 Choosing Your Herbs (aka, what your body might be asking for)
Chamomile: For calming your nerves and digestion.
Peppermint: Soothes the gut and cools fiery energy.
Ginger: Immune-boosting, nausea-reducing powerhouse.
Turmeric: Your anti-inflammatory bestie.
Licorice Root: Sweet, soothing, and anti-microbial.
Cinnamon: Balances blood sugar and brings warmth.
✨ Make Your Own Tincture — Step by Step
You’ll need:
Your chosen herb (fresh or dried)
40% alcohol (vodka works great)
Clean glass jar
Cheesecloth or nut milk bag
Parchment paper + label tape
How to:
Fill your jar halfway with herb.
Cover completely with alcohol (at least 2 inches above herb level).
Seal with parchment under the lid to prevent rubber from degrading.
Label it (trust me).
Shake twice a day and whisper affirmations while you're at it.
After 4-6 weeks, strain and store in a dark bottle.
💛 Final Notes from the Medicine Woman’s Corner
Use fresh, fragrant herbs for max potency. If your plant doesn’t smell alive, it won’t wake up your spirit.
Chop finely for more surface area = stronger medicine.
Always label and date your jars — this is your personal archive of magic.
And please: start small. Tinctures are concentrated power. A few drops can realign your entire day.
In Closing: Blessing for the Maker
May your hands remain steady,
your intuition stay sharp,
and your herbs speak their wisdom in whispers and warmth.
You are the vessel and the vision.
The one who both heals and is healing.
Now go pour a little power into that bottle,
and remember — your kitchen is a temple.