4 Effective Ways to Get the Best Herbs for Tinctures and Extract Making

reviewed by Christina Lopez

Before we get into the actual recipes, it is good to know how to get the best herbs for tinctures and extract making. The herbs are the essential ingredient, after all. There are several methods to use; these four effective ways are the best I have found. 

Some herbs are better retrieved in one way over another due to different factors. Availability, area, growth patterns, and time of harvest. For each method, I will look at the positive aspects and some words of caution to consider.

Take a look at the different sources. At times, you may need to use one or more of them at any given time. The most significant part of these is you can use them all!

In a Hurry, Get the Quick Walk-through in This Video and Bookmark the Article for Reference Later.

⇒Disclaimer: The information presented here by Inside Herb Gardens and Its Authors is intended for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated these statements and is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary. Before using any herbs, supplements, or other natural treatments, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or medical professional.

→Some of the links on this site and in this article are affiliate links that pay a commission for a completed purchase. This does not result in any additional cost to you. I do not write sponsored posts. I want to bring you accurate, unbiased information.

1. Best Herbs for Tinctures Come from Your Own Garden

Herbs For Tinctures From Own Garden
Herbs For Tinctures From Own Garden

There is nothing more rewarding than gardening and producing your valuable herbs and plants. To nurture and grow a plant from seed to harvest can be a relaxing and natural medicine all its own, especially if you are anything like me and love to garden.

It can also be the most time-consuming and require the most amount of patience. If you are a first-time gardener, there can also be a learning curve to overcome. This website has information that can help you get started right and succeed.

If you are starting with herb gardening, these articles may help

Use the search feature for specific herbs and other guided help or reach out on the contact form. I am happy to help.

Besides, you will also need to know what herbs you will want to use in advance and plan your planting. This will include learning what type of soil, light, and space will be required to grow the plant through its entire growth cycle.

Know Your Zone

Get to know your planting grow zone or hardiness zone. Your grow zone tells your average first and last frost dates. Also, most produce guides and seed packs carry hardiness zone indications. Make sure it is something you are going to be able to grow in your area.

If unable to grow outside all year, can you accommodate moving inside and outside for weather? You can produce many tropical varieties by using both inside and outdoor growing methods with containers. As an example, I have grown Tropical Hibiscus this way for many years.

Helpful Links:

Indoor gardening opens many opportunities for growing herbs and plants that are not suited to your region. With proper space and lighting, there can be almost endless possibilities. Full-size trees are not likely going to fit in the average home.

Greenhouses are also an alternative solution. Keep in mind that greenhouses may still need light and heat supplements. In winter months natural sun and heat is still diminished. It will need to be added with grow lights and heaters.

Pros

  • You can feel safe that the herbs and plants you are using are safe and free of chemicals and harmful additives.
  • Fresh herbs can be highly beneficial in many herbal tinctures and extract recipes.
  • Growing your herbs keeps a constant supply available for easy use.

Cons

  • It can take a long time to grow an herb from seed to harvest, delaying tincture making.
  • Plant failures are always a risk when gardening. Special care is needed to keep plants alive and healthy.
  • Some herbs and plants used in tinctures come from trees, roots, and sap that take many years to cultivate and large spaces to grow.

2. Gathering Herbs in the Wild (Foraging)

Herbs From The Wild
Herbs From The Wild
Herbs From The Wild

Foraging or wildcrafting is the practice of harvesting plants in the wild. This has long been done through time for purposes of food, medicine, and crafting. Learn more about the history and details of wildcrafting here on Wikipedia.

Many herbs and plants carry similar characteristics. This can include leaf shapes, stems, growth patterns, and even flowers. This makes it very important to identify any herb you plan to harvest in the wild. Misidentifying can have deadly effects!

Reliable experts in your area may be able to help you with plant identifications, such as local Cooperative extensions or Department of Agriculture and equivalent. In other countries besides the United States, similar organizations exist.

A local or regional guidebook or books as a very wise investment

Look for books with detailed information, illustrations, and photos. Amazon carries a wide selection of books regarding herb foraging that is region-specific. Follow this link to a search result page to get you started.

Growing up, this was “THE” number one source for most of our herbal medicines. It was then the best herb for tinctures and extracts. With the increase in pesticides and unknown chemicals, I have become more and more cautious about it. Know the area well you intend to forage!

Stay clear or areas along the side of roads, city parks and public access areas. Most often these locations get treated with chemicals for bugs, weeds and artificial fertilizers.

Cautions & Limitations

  • I would only be able to find local and native plant and herb species. Unique herbal plants would not be able to be sourced this way.
  • Careful consideration needs to be taken for where you are gathering your herbs from. Areas need to be free from any chemical treatments, contaminated sites, or potential other hazards.
  • Trespassing is not encouraged or allowed. You would need to gather permission and rights to harvest on any properties that were not your own.
  • Misidentified herbs and plants can cause harm and possible death.

3. Local Farms, Nurseries, and Markets

Herbs From Local Farms Nurseries And Markets
Herbs From Local Farms Nurseries And Markets

I live in the city, not a large city; local farmers market every Wednesday in the warm months. It is a great gathering of local farmers, greenhouse growers, and community gardeners. The wares are always prevalent and varied. I enjoy going through it for fresh produce that I may not grow of different varieties.

I find this market in the square is an ideal source to gain items I do not grow personally or have a source. It is also a great way to mingle and meet local growers. This creates a chain of reliable sources for locally grown herbs, plants, and produce.

This particular market does not carry many herbs, but through this venue, I learned of another in a larger city that did. The Market connected me to more local growers and an even more significant source for quality local ingredients.

Do you have markets like this in your area? Explore your local area and nearby cities. A farmer’s market and even nurseries may be great ways to build up a network of local growers. I have not met a local farmer or grower yet that was not happy to do business with an individual. All it takes is asking.

Pros

  • Great way to get quality locally grown Herbs, plants and produce
  • Creates a network of suppliers
  • Personal connections that help you build trust in their product and know their growing standards

Cons

  • Seasonal supply usually affected by the weather changes
  • Limited to usually only regional specific herbs and plants
  • Supply can be limited

Additional Local Sources

Additional Local Sources
Additional Local Sources

Specialty Markets

If you are lucky enough to have some specialty markets in your area, they can be excellent sources for rare, hard-to-find herb species. Larger cities tend to have a wider variety of these types of calls. In my area, we are lucky enough to have an excellent Asian market. I have found them an excellent source for some herbs not seen at the farmer’s markets.

Grocery Stores

Shop with caution at grocery market produce sections, especially with those not carrying an organic selection. Many produce sections of your typical grocer treat their herbs and create them with chemicals. These chemicals keep them longer on the shelf, prevent root growth and make them look nicer.

Shop organic markets and verify how they are handled. The produce workers should freely give information about their sources and the handling of the herbs. Grocers that are hesitant would show the same hesitation in wanting to purchase from them.

Dried herbs and spices in the grocery store tend to carry much higher price tags. Besides, these herbs are often lacking information on their source. When making tinctures or even just cooking or teas, look for organic herbs and those labeled non-irradiated.

What is non-irradiated and why do I care? Many spices on the market, unless stated as “non-irradiated” have undergone a process of applying an ionizing radiation to increase shelf life and kill any possible bacteria. May not sound so awful at first glance but this also strips the herbs of their medicinal qualities, volatile oils, and much of its flavor. It also leaves potential harmful carcinogens on a product that you intend to consume.

4. Reputable Online Herbal Supply Companies and Retailers

Online Herbal Supply Companies And Retailers
Online Herbal Supply Companies And Retailers

Although I am a gardener, it would be impossible to grow every herb and plant. As an example, certain tree saps and barks do not grow in my zone. Those would be impossible to keep growing all year indoors for size alone. Not to mention the years it can take for a tree type to gain maturity.

With the dawn of the internet and online shopping, the ability to gain herbs has become boundless. This, once impossible or improbable to obtain, are no longer an issue. Far away, distant spices are just clicked away. No more is country barriers, even a problem to overcome.

Reputation and trustworthiness, however, become factors when considering sources for online shopping for herbs. You are putting your trust in vendors you have never seen and growing procedures you have not witnessed.

Thankfully with as much availability, there are just as many reviews that can help you create an image of a herbal seller. This can help to build confidence in suitable sources and find reputable dealers.

Look for similar information that you would seek in local marketplaces as listed above. If a product you are interested in does not readily list it, ask. Reputable dealers will divulge to you how, where, and harvest methods of their herbs. Besides, you will want details about the drying and packaging measurements that use.

Take Note:

It is almost always best to go with dried options when purchasing the best herbs for tinctures and extracts online. Fresh is too risky to have shipped any amount of distance. Unless rapid shipment options exist, but only already dried and preserved herb forms.

Online Options:

A large Vendor with Many Options : Amazon

A large Vendor with Many Options : Amazon
A large Vendor with Many Options : Amazon

I have for many years now turned to Amazon for sources, even my herbal purchases. The vendors that are selling on this platform are vast. Besides, Amazon is always loaded with plenty of reviews from verified purchases that you can see, and many of the vendors I previously purchased from now sell on this platform.

⇒ Check out this search list of Bulk Herbs here. You can see that there are many options from around the world.

Pros

  • An open market with very few boundaries allows you to get herbs from all over the world quickly.
  • Most packages store and keep for longer-term.
  • It saves money in many cases over grocery store prices

Cons

  • Buying without seeing where herbs are physically being grown
  • Having to review a seller’s history and rating to find a positive reputation
  • The addition of possible shipping cost

Long-Term Storage for Herbs not Being Used Right Away

Long Term Storage For Herbs
Long Term Storage For Herbs

Whenever you invest time growing, gathering, or purchasing herbs, you want them to stay long enough to keep their value. If you are not intending on using all the plant material at once, storage becomes very important.

The following are tried and accurate storage methods that can help you keep your herbal investments safe.

Glass Jars – Colored glass is better when possible but keeps out of light. Label well and make sure the lid fits securely.

Stainless steel containers – Protects from sun damage by design, and many have built-in labels.

Mylar Bags – Increases the shelf life of food and herbs by eliminating oxygen. The solid reflective material also eliminates the damage-causing potential of the sun.

Paper bags – Make sure these stay in a dry area where you can gather no moisture. I will use these if I must but not a preferred method of storage. However, the paper will keep water naturally wicking away from the plant material as well.

Plastic Bags or Containers – I always emphasize BPA-free. Suppose you are going to go plastic check! They will not likely be sun-resistant, so be sure to keep them out of the light.

Special Note:

Fresh herbs will need to dry first for long-term storage. Follow proper drying methods for the type of plant material you are keeping. Flowers. Buds and leaves take less drying time than roots, berries, bark, and saps. Be sure to allow thorough drying before storing to prevent mold, fungus, and mildew from forming.

This Book from Amazon: Drying Herbs: An Essential Guide on Drying Herbs and Seasoning is an excellent source for drying methods that can help. If you are a Kindle Unlimited subscriber, it is Free. Find out more about Kindle Unlimited.

Gather Supplies, Let the Brewing Begin

Gathered Supplies Tincture
Gathered Supplies Tincture

We have explored the basics of what tinctures and extracts are. I looked at the supplies needed to make them at home. Now we have stocked the kitchen with the best herbs for medicines.

Now it is time to use them for yourself and get brewing your first tinctures and extracts. In the following article in this series, we will be looking at flavoring extracts for the kitchen to start. It will give you some experience with extracting herbal constituents and prepare you for making herbal medicines.

Flavorful extracts are some of the most straightforward tincturing extraction to start with. It will aid your confidence in building up to medicines, plus they still load with benefits.

Additionally, with the cost of extracts in the store, it will save you a lot of money. Who doesn’t like that?

Want to see the previous good articles?

Keep the comments and messages coming. The list and interests in this series are growing. I am still compiling a plan based on what you want to see. Let your thoughts count too!

Buy on Walmart

link to a search result page - Walmart Link

search list of Bulk Herbs here - Walmart Link

Drying Herbs: An Essential Guide on Drying Herbs and Seasoning - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

link to a search result page - eBay Link

search list of Bulk Herbs here - eBay Link

Drying Herbs: An Essential Guide on Drying Herbs and Seasoning - eBay Link

About Christina Lopez

Christina Lopez grew up in the scenic city of Mountain View, California. For eighteen ascetic years, she refrained from eating meat until she discovered the exquisite delicacy of chicken thighs. Christina is a city finalist competitive pingpong player, an ocean diver, and an ex-pat in England and Japan. Currently, she is a computer science doctoral student. Christina writes late at night; most of her daytime is spent enchanting her magical herb garden.


Follow Christina:

Comments for "4 Effective Ways to Get the Best Herbs for Tinctures and Extract Making"

Get new FREE Gifts. Or latest free growing e-books from our latest works.

Disable Ad block to reveal all the links. Once done, hit a button below