Bee Balm Tincture
Bee balm (Monarda) is a fragrant, medicinal herb known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and soothing properties. Bee balm tincture is a versatile remedy, often used for respiratory support, digestive issues, and for its calming effects.
Equipment
- Pint mason jar (or any other jar with a tight-fitting lid)
- Funnel
- Cheesecloth
- Adhesive label or masking tape (for labelling tincture)
Ingredients
- Fresh or dried bee balm flowers and leaves
- Vodka or other high-proof alcohol *see notes for making a glycerite tincture
Instructions
- If using fresh bee balm, gather a generous amount of fresh leaves and flowers from the plant. Aim to fill your mason jar about halfway with the fresh material. For dried bee balm, fill your jar about 1/3 to 1/2 full. Fresh bee balm has a high water content, so you may need slightly more to compensate for drying. Once collected, chop the leaves and flowers into smaller pieces to increase the surface area for extraction.
- Place the prepared bee balm into your jar, making sure not to pack it too tightly. Pour high-proof alcohol (vodka is commonly used, but brandy or rum are good alternatives) over the herb, completely covering the plant material. The alcohol should be about 1-2 inches above the herbs to ensure full immersion.
- Secure the lid on the jar tightly. Give the jar a gentle shake to mix the contents, ensuring the plant material is evenly soaked. Place the jar in a cool, dark location, away from direct sunlight, and allow it to steep for 4 to 6 weeks.
- Every few days, give the jar a gentle shake to help the alcohol extract the medicinal properties from the bee balm. This also helps keep the plant material fully submerged, which is important for effective extraction.
- After 4-6 weeks, strain the tincture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a clean glass container. Press gently on the herb to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the spent plant material.
- Once your tincture is strained, transfer it into a dark glass storage bottle, which will help preserve the tincture by blocking out light. Label the bottle with the contents, date of preparation, and any usage recommendations. Store your bee balm tincture in a cool, dark place.
Notes
A neutral spirit like vodka is most commonly used for tinctures due to its mild flavor. However, you can also experiment with other alcohols like rum or brandy to add different notes to the tincture.
Bee balm, in particular, is delicious, and it’s often used to flavor foods on its own. The tincture has a mild spicy herbal flavor, a bit like an unsweetened chartreuse liqueur. It goes well with brandy or rum, but vodka works just fine with any tincture.
Usage and Dosage
Bee balm tincture can be used both internally and externally. It’s commonly taken in small doses for its calming, antimicrobial, and digestive benefits. Typical dosages range from 1-2 drops to 1-2 teaspoons, 2-3 times a day, depending on the individual and the condition being treated. It’s always best to start with a low dose and gradually increase if needed. Internal Use: Bee balm tincture is often used for respiratory issues, digestive discomfort, or as a mild sedative for anxiety or stress. It may also help with colds and flu. External Use: You can apply bee balm tincture topically to minor cuts, bruises, or skin irritations to help with its antiseptic properties.Fresh vs. Dried
Fresh herbs generally extract more quickly than dried, so if you are using dried bee balm, allow a bit more time for extraction (up to 8 weeks if needed).Shelf Life
Bee balm tincture, when stored properly in a cool, dark place, can last for several years. Always check for any changes in color or smell before use. While it may not “spoil” over time, the potency will decrease after about 18 to 24 months in storage. The tincture will last longer if kept at a cool room temperature, out of direct sunlight.Yield and Storage
The amount of tincture you get will depend on how much bee balm you use and how tightly you pack the jar. Generally, with fresh bee balm, you’ll get slightly more tincture than the alcohol you originally add due to the water content of the herbs. For dried bee balm, you’ll likely end up with a little less tincture than the alcohol you started with, as the plant material will absorb some of the liquid. For a quart jar, you'll need approximately 2 to 3 cups of alcohol, and for a pint jar, about 1 to 1.5 cups. Be sure the herb remains fully submerged throughout the infusion process for the best extraction.Alcohol-Free Glycerite Option
For those who prefer an alcohol-free tincture, you can make a glycerite using vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol. To make a bee balm glycerite, cover dried bee balm leaves and flowers with a 3:1 mixture of glycerin to distilled water. For fresh bee balm, use 100% glycerin and skip the water. Shake the jar daily for about 4 to 6 weeks, then strain and store in a dark glass bottle. This alcohol-free tincture can be used in the same way as the alcohol-based version, both internally and externally. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!