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You are here: Home / Foraging / How to Make Dandelion Tincture

How to Make Dandelion Tincture

May 3, 2018 by Ashley Adamant 53 Comments

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After a long winter of heavy foods, dandelions are a welcome sight.  The leaves make for delicious fresh spring salads, and the flowers make a tasty dandelion wine.  Dandelion roots are where the real medicine lies, and a dandelion tincture can preserve the herb for use year-round.

Making Dandelion Tincture

What is Dandelion Root Tincture Used for?

Dandelion is a well-known digestive herb, and a few drops can be taken before meals to prevent gas and after meals for heartburn.  It’s also known as a cleansing herb, that supports healthy liver and kidney function.  The same cleansing action is used as a blood purifier, that can help reduce blood cholesterol.

As a gentle diuretic, dandelion tincture is used as a treatment for UTIs and water retention.

Herbalists also prescribe dandelion tincture to promote healthy clear skin.  Traditionally, it’s also been used to help build energy and endurance, which can be helpful after a long winter indoors.

According to the herbalist Julie Bruton-Seal, dandelion tincture is used for:

  • Skin Problems
  • Sluggish Liver
  • Constipation
  • Urinary Problems
  • Fluid Retention
  • Arthritis
  • Gout
  • Hangovers
  • Chronic Illness

Dandelion Tincture Dosage

The book Backyard Medicine offers detailed recommendations for dandelion tincture dosage:

  • General Health Maintenence ~ 1/2 teaspoon twice daily.
  • Acute Skin Eruptions ~ 10 drops in water frequently throughout the day.
  • Arthritis, gout, eczema, psoriasis & liver trouble ~ 1 teaspoon 3 times a day in water.
  • Indigestion ~ 10 drops in water every hour until resolved.

How to Make Dandelion Tincture

While you can make a whole herb dandelion tincture, I like to save the leaves for spring salads and eat them directly.  The roots are tougher and are best used as a tincture. 

Ideally, harvest dandelion roots in the early spring, before the plants have sent up their flowers.  The dandelion plant calls on energy and nutrient reserves in the roots to form a flower, so it’s best to harvest the root while those nutrients are still in place.

If you’ve missed the season, you can buy dried dandelion root online.

Whole dandelion roots and leaves

Start by digging the dandelion roots.  As soon as the snow melts off and temperatures warm up, dandelion rosettes pop up everywhere.  Just keep your eyes open, and you’ll find them all over. 

The leaves green up before lawn grass, so they can be easy to spot even on a lawn.  The garden is a great place to look since you’ll likely be hoeing them out later.

In light or sandy soil, you can pull the dandelion roots directly.  If you have tough clay soil like we do, then you’ll need a trowel or spade to dig them out.   Once you have a good-sized handful, bring them inside for washing and chopping.

Washing Dandelion Roots

At this point, you can just chop the whole plants, leaves and all, or you can save the leaves for salads and just use the roots.  If you’re harvesting them in the very early spring, the leaves are still tender and perfect for fresh eating. 

These make young dandelion leaves make the very best salads, and it seems a shame to waste them in a tincture.  Either way, it’s up to you.

I’ve removed the leaves and saved just the cleaned roots for my tincture.

Dandelion roots and greens

Chop the dandelion roots into small pieces. 

This increases their surface area and will allow the alcohol to do a better job extracting nutrients and medicinal constituents from the roots.

chopped dandelion roots

Pack the chopped roots into a mason jar, and cover with alcohol.  Ideally, the jar is about 2/3 full of fresh roots, and then it’s filled to within an inch of the top with vodka. 

I like to use Smirnoff for my homemade tinctures because it’s relatively cheap, but not so cheap that the tincture is hard to take.  For your own use, choose the cheapest vodka that you’d voluntarily drink.

Allow the tincture to infuse in a cool dark place, giving it a shake anytime you remember.  The dandelion root tincture needs at least a month to infuse, but ideally, 2-3 months to gain full potency.  If you need the tincture sooner than that, you can buy prepared dandelion tincture online to tide you over while your own dandelion tincture is infusing.

Once the tincture is finished, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer, and store the tincture in amber dropper bottles.

How to Make Dandelion Root Tincture #tincture #herbs #herbalism #herbalist #naturalremedy #dandelion #dandelions #dandelionroot #dandelionrecipe #herbs #herbalism #foraging #wildfood #forage #selfsufficiency #wildcrafting

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jessi

    April 24, 2019 at 5:59 am

    Can I make the tincture from dried tea leaves like from a tea bag?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      April 30, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      Yes you can. Tea bag teas tend to be very fine inside the bag, and you might have trouble filtering it out though. Either leave it in the tea bag or filter the finished tincture through a coffee filter at the end. You’d also need A LOT of tea bags to make even a small quantity of tincture. It would be a lot more cost effective to just find dried plant material in bulk, and many natural grocery stores have a bulk herb section these days where you can get a whole jar of dried herbal material for just a few dollars. But to answer your question, yes, of course, you can use tea bags if you have them and you want to make a tincture. Just make sure they don’t have other additives of any kind.

      Reply
  2. Jennifer

    May 26, 2019 at 10:21 pm

    Alcohol does not mix with my medicine. What else can I use besides alcohol?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      June 9, 2019 at 6:34 pm

      Good question! You can also make tinctures with vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar. Same process, just substitute either of those for the alcohol.

      Reply
  3. saoinas

    July 20, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    How long is the tincture good for once stored properly?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      September 9, 2019 at 7:56 pm

      In theory, the alcohol should keep it from “spoiling” indefinitely, but I’ve read that tinctures lose potency after about a year.

      Reply
  4. Cindy

    March 3, 2020 at 1:09 pm

    Do you know if the inulin in dandelion roots comes over in the alcohol? I cannot digest inulin that is in most roots (a lot in dandelion). I realize I would only be taking a small amount with tincture. Thanks. Fantastic blog!

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      September 14, 2020 at 4:22 pm

      You know, I didn’t know the answer to that…but I did a bit of research and inulin is water-soluble (but I can’t seem to find if it’s alcohol soluble). The alcohol you use in tinctures isn’t 100% alcohol, so there is water in it, which means the inulin will likely be present in the tincture.

      Reply
  5. Kelly

    April 10, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    Is there any way to use the roots after the tincture is all finished?

    Thanks much!

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      September 14, 2020 at 4:30 pm

      Good question. I’ve tried to use things after tinctures, but I’ve never been really satisfied with the results. I tried making chutney from strawberries in a strawberry-infused vodka, but as you might imagine, all the flavor infused into the alcohol and it tasted like nothing (except alcohol). Similar results with other things. I imagine you could cook them, but just about all the good stuff (except perhaps fiber) has been extracted into the tincture and the resulting roots will taste very strongly of alcohol.

      Reply
    • Cecily Reading

      July 2, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      Compost!😊

      Reply
  6. Sasha

    April 20, 2020 at 11:58 pm

    Hello. After harvesting could I wait a day before I prepare it in the jar?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      January 3, 2021 at 4:00 am

      Yes.

      Reply
  7. Trudy Ray

    April 21, 2020 at 2:32 pm

    What is the tincture used for and is the vinegar based tincture as effective and does it last as long as the alcohol infused?

    Reply
  8. Cheryl Green

    April 26, 2020 at 3:23 am

    How many drops would be a good start and then how many for maintenance would you suggest. Thank you kindly.

    Cheryl.

    Reply
  9. Zandra Peterson

    May 8, 2020 at 8:20 pm

    Can you make a tincture from the dandelion flowers?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      May 9, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      Yes, but I imagine the medicinal value may be different? Honestly I don’t know if or how it would be different, though I’ve seen many people make dandelion cordial by basically making a tincture of the flowers and adding sugar. The medicinal value is unclear, but I bet that tastes good.

      Reply
      • Grace

        July 6, 2022 at 6:58 pm

        In Europe they make from flowers dandelion honey. by simmering flowers in water for 15 min. than it is left covered in pot for 24 h. Than it liquid is separated and from the infusion syrup with sugar is made. hot su Traditional proportion – 1 liter of infusion to ! 1g of sugar. I make 1 to 0.5. It is used as cold medicine with ho tea It is very effective and kids love it. My grandma use to make also linden tincture with sugar to taste and pasteurized in hot water bath, also for cold and flu in tea.Great Blog!

        Reply
        • Grace

          July 6, 2022 at 7:04 pm

          I am sorry is very difficult to see what is written. Edit 1kg o sugar to i liter of tincture boiled for for few minutes until auger is dissolved

          Reply
  10. Angie Bolingbroke

    August 5, 2020 at 2:09 am

    Am learning about natural remedies and just found your site…love it! These instructions are the most clear I’ve seen for tinctures! Quick question, though…other resources have said to be sure to dry plant materials to ensure no water contaminates tincture or oil infusions, is that a concern with the dandelion roots here?

    Reply
    • Administrator

      February 25, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      Your tinctures can be made using either fresh or dried plant matter.

      Reply
  11. Gabriel

    October 3, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    Hi I made a dandelion tincture, it’s a few weeks old, it has a milky substance at the bottome of the jar, it’s a little cloudy, is that normal? Or has it gone bad?
    Cheers

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      December 28, 2020 at 3:24 am

      I believe that’d be inulin, which is a type of starch in the dandelion root. I’ve never had it settle in the jar like that, but I’ve read that others have seen it. To the best of my knowledge, it’s normal.

      Reply
  12. Peter

    October 24, 2020 at 11:50 am

    Can you over infuse a tincture? I’ve had one brewing for 6 months. Is it still usable?

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      October 27, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      Yup, still usable. I’ve forgotten a few like that, and they’re still just fine.

      Reply
      • Nester

        November 23, 2020 at 5:25 pm

        Hi is dandelion tincture safe to take during pregnancy if so what is the dosage

        Reply
        • Ashley Adamant

          December 28, 2020 at 2:16 am

          I’m definitely not qualified to answer that. I’d say you’d have to talk to your doctor/herbalist/midwife for an answer.

          Google suggests that dandelion tincture is not contraindicated during pregnancy, and I found an article supporting its use here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/dandelion

          “There are no reports in the literature of dandelion being either safe or contraindicated during pregnancy. Herbalist-midwives may recommend it taken alone in small doses (1 to 15 drops) as a tincture in water, or this same dose added to half a glass of ginger ale or lemon-flavored carbonated water.”

          Still, as I said, I’m not a doctor and you should do your own research or talk to a medical professional for a qualified answer.

          Reply
      • Susie

        January 17, 2021 at 11:00 pm

        I have read that dandelion tinctures may help to raise low blood pressure. If I have high blood pressure should I avoid this tincture ?

        Reply
        • Ashley Adamant

          January 27, 2021 at 7:12 pm

          I’m definitely not a medical professional and can’t advise you at all. At least according to a quick google search, it says dandelion lowers blood pressure? At least this article: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/dandelion-benefits

          But you can’t believe everything you read on the internet, I’d say you should ask your doctor or talk to a herbalist.

          Reply
  13. Iris

    March 22, 2021 at 6:10 pm

    How do you make sure contaminated, like along the road or in my lawn, are gone before I use any part to eat or make tincture?

    Reply
    • Administrator

      March 26, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      You really want to avoid foraging near roadways if possible. The further you can get from the road, the better. If you are uphill, there is less risk of contamination from runoff. If you are foraging in your lawn, just be sure that you are not foraging from an area that has been treated with chemicals and you may not want to forage in an area where animals frequently urinate.

      Reply
  14. Helen

    April 11, 2021 at 4:43 pm

    Hello
    can i use brandy instead of vodka? just that i have loads in the house already
    thanks

    Reply
    • Ashley Adamant

      April 14, 2021 at 12:59 am

      Yup! That works just fine.

      Reply
  15. Melissa Kelly

    April 21, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    What is the dosage?

    Reply
    • Administrator

      April 30, 2021 at 4:22 pm

      You can scroll to the top of the article and under the second heading titled “DANDELION TINCTURE DOSAGE” you will see several suggestions that came from the Backyard Medicine book.

      Reply
  16. Bonita

    May 24, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    When aging the tincture should it be in a cool dark place or can it be on a sunny warm window sill?

    Reply
    • Administrator

      May 24, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      You will want to keep it in a cool, dark place.

      Reply
      • Jennifer

        July 21, 2022 at 9:30 pm

        Is it still usable if you sat it in a warm window? What is the difference? Will it make me sick? I made a dead nettle tincture but with dried plant and video said to use heat. Just learning all this and have so many questions.

        Reply
        • Administrator

          July 26, 2022 at 5:17 pm

          I have never heard of using heat when making a tincture. The alcohol extracts the constituents without the need for heat. It’s possible that the sunlight could degrade your tincture and make it less effective or shorten the shelf life but it should still be fine to consume.

          Reply
  17. Kandice

    July 20, 2021 at 2:05 am

    I have strained my tincture several times but it still separates and then is white on the bottom???

    Reply
    • Administrator

      July 27, 2021 at 3:54 pm

      This is simply the inulin from the dandelion root. This doesn’t always happen but is completely normal. I would just give it a good shake before using.

      Reply
  18. Scott Jordan

    August 22, 2021 at 10:12 pm

    What percentage vodka should you use

    Reply
    • Administrator

      August 23, 2021 at 3:37 pm

      Standard vodka is 80 proof or 40% alcohol.

      Reply
  19. Ann

    August 27, 2021 at 5:57 am

    I have seen people using hot water 1st over the dry roots,followed by the alcohol (especially wellness mama)
    I plan on making the tincture out of the whole plant,but in the dry form as I don’t have any access to organic dandelion around me.Any idea about what percentage root vs leaves should be used?
    Also, should I add hot water and let steep for a bit before adding the vodka? Some people say that water extracts certain things from roots that alcohol alone can’t (not sure about this as 40% alcohol already has water)
    I love drinking teas,but I can’t make my kids drink them,plus it would be a lot of cups a day.
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Administrator

      September 14, 2021 at 8:05 pm

      It really depends on what benefits you are looking for. Alcohol can extract most constituents except for minerals and trace elements. So if you aren’t looking for those specific constituents then a simple alcohol extraction would be fine.

      Reply
  20. Emily

    September 22, 2021 at 6:14 pm

    Beautiful post, thank you. May I suggest using organic vodka wherever possible. Yes, it’s much more expensive than the big, mainstream (and cheap) brands, but the last thing you want in your medicine is pesticide residues, which non-organic alcohols all have. Plus we want to put our dollars where our hearts are, and take care of the earth by supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

    Reply
    • Administrator

      September 23, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      Thank you and that’s a good point. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    • Gabrielle Lacroix

      July 10, 2022 at 4:07 pm

      You could also use organic apple cider vinegar which is much cheaper and defintely healthy!

      Reply
  21. Gabriela

    April 16, 2022 at 6:42 pm

    I just harvest my first Dandelion roots and would like to know if its possible to use 96% grain alcohol diluted in destilated water or combined with veg. glicerin for mske the Tincture.

    Reply
    • Administrator

      April 19, 2022 at 4:03 pm

      You can definitely use a 96% alcohol and dilute it to the appropriate percentage with distilled water. You can also use vegetable glycerine if you don’t want to use alcohol. If you’re using alcohol then I would just stick to diluting it with water rather than mixing it with the gylcerine.

      Reply
  22. Carrie

    June 14, 2022 at 6:08 pm

    I know I’m late getting to my dandelions (it’s almost the solstice!) but a sprained ankle got the best of me most of the spring. I’m wondering if the roots I harvested are ok if they have hollowish centers with what looks like bone marrow (!) inside. Thanks from southern VT!

    Reply
    • Administrator

      June 14, 2022 at 6:42 pm

      If you’re wanting to harvest the roots, then it would probably be best to wait until fall.

      Reply

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