Oregano Tincture
Oregano tincture is a homemade herbal remedy that's easy to make with just a few ingredients.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried oregano or chopped fresh oregano, see notes
- 1 1/2 cups vodka 80 proof for dried oregano, see notes for fresh, plus more to cover
Instructions
- Cut whole stems of oregano from an unsprayed plant, or measure out dried oregano.
- Rinse fresh oregano only if it is dusty, then shake it dry so no extra water goes into the jar.
- Chop the leaves, stems, and flowers as finely as you reasonably can, since alcohol pulls from cut surfaces.
- Pack the chopped oregano into a clean pint mason jar, about two thirds full for fresh or about half full for dried.
- Pour vodka over the oregano until the jar is full to within an inch of the rim, pressing down any pieces that float so nothing sits above the alcohol.
- Cap the jar tightly, label it with the contents and the date, and set it somewhere cool and dark.
- Shake daily for the first week and every few days after that.
- Check the alcohol level over the first week and top it off if the oregano swells above the surface.
- Infuse for 6 to 8 weeks, or at least 4 weeks.
- Line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and pour the tincture through into a clean jar, then squeeze the spent oregano to release the last of the liquid.
- Strain a second time through fresh cheesecloth if you used dried oregano, to catch the fine dust that would otherwise clog a dropper.
- Decant into amber dropper bottles and label each one with the contents, the date, and the dose.
Notes
Yield: A pint jar makes about 12 ounces, enough for twelve 1 ounce dropper bottles.
Fresh or dried oregano: Fill the jar two thirds full with chopped fresh oregano (about 1 1/2 cups for a pint), or half full with dried, which is more concentrated. Dried swells over the first week, so check the level and top it off.
Alcohol percentage: 80 proof vodka (40 percent alcohol) is enough for dried oregano, which brings no water of its own. Fresh oregano is mostly water and dilutes the jar, so use pure grain alcohol with fresh. Never use isopropyl or rubbing alcohol, which is toxic to drink.
Folk method or weight to volume: These amounts are the folk method, filling the jar by eye. By weight, herbalists use 1 part fresh to 2 parts alcohol, or 1 part dried to 5.
Dosage: Generally, the dosage for oregano tincture is 1 to 2 droppers full (1 to 2ml), one to three times per day. Once per day may be enough for general wellness, but up to three times per day may be better for fighting acute infections. Consult a clinical herbalist for a dosage specific to your body and needs. Take it diluted in water, juice, or tea. Topically, dilute with a little water and apply directly.
Safety: Do not take oregano tincture internally if you are on lithium, blood thinners, or diabetes medication, as it may slow blood clotting or lower blood sugar too far. Talk to your doctor before adding any new herb if you take medication, are pregnant, or are nursing. It is always possible to react to a new remedy, so start with a small amount.
Alcohol-free option: Cover dried oregano with 3 parts vegetable glycerine to 1 part water for a glycerite, or glycerine straight with fresh. Shake daily for 6 weeks. Shelf life drops to 1 to 2 years.
Storage: Store cool and dark. An alcohol tincture keeps its potency 2 to 5 years.
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