Red Clover Tincture
Red clover tincture is a natural remedy for symptoms associated with menopause. It's also used to balance female hormones and improve sleep.
Equipment
- Pint mason jar (or any other jar with a tight-fitting lid)
- Funnel
- Cheesecloth
- Adhesive label or masking tape (for labeling tincture)
Ingredients
- Fresh or dried red clover flowers
- Vodka or other high-proof alcohol *see notes for making a glycerite tincture
Instructions
- Fill a clean mason jar about three-quarters full with fresh red clover flowers or halfway full if you're using dried red clover flowers.
- Pour your chosen alcohol (vodka works well) over the flowers, making sure that the plant material is completely submerged.
- Screw the lid on tightly, then gently shake the jar to mix the contents. Place the jar in a cool, dark location, away from light, and allow the mixture to steep for 6 to 8 weeks.
- Every few days, give the jar a gentle shake to help with the extraction process. If you can remember, shaking it daily will work even better. Keep an eye on the alcohol level and add more alcohol if necessary to ensure the red clover remains fully submerged.
- After 6 to 8 weeks, when the tincture is ready, line a funnel with cheesecloth and position it over a dark amber glass bottle. Pour the tincture and red clover flowers into the funnel, pressing down to extract every last drop of liquid.
- Once the tincture is decanted, label the bottle with the contents, the date it was made, recommended dosages, and suggested uses. Store the finished tincture in a cool, dry place, away from light.
Notes
For an alcohol-free version (glycerite tincture):
Use dried red clover and cover it completely with a 3:1 mixture of glycerin and distilled water. If using fresh red clover, skip the water and use only glycerin. Shake the jar daily during the steeping process, and follow the same decanting procedure as for the alcohol-based tincture. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!