Herbal remedies have become a regular part of our life. We use herbs for first aid, nourishment to keep us healthy, and to help with cold and flu. I enjoy using tinctures because they work quickly, are convenient, easy to use, and they last a long time. Making your own tinctures is really quite easy once you get started, and ordering dried herbs in bulk means you can save money as you build your home apothecary. This homemade herbal sleep tincture recipe is a wonderful way to quiet a busy mind, unwind from stress, and enjoy peaceful sleep.

 

 

 

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Homemade Sleep Tincture – Ingredients

This herbal sleep tincture recipe is a combination of herbs that offer a variety of benefits. You can read more about my favorite 5 Herbs for Better Sleep and why I chose these herbs. And if you regularly struggle with sleep problems, try these Simple Strategies for Better Sleep.

You will need:

Pint sized jar

Dried Passionflower – leaves and flowers

Dried Skullcap – leaves and flowers

Dried Milky Oats or Oat Straw

Dried Catnip

Dried Valerian Root

80 – proof alcohol (Brandy is a good choice)

 

 

How to Make a Sleep Tincture

1. Combine equal parts of your dried herbs in a pint-sized jar. The herbs should almost fill the jar, but not be crammed too tightly.
2. Add enough alcohol to fill the jar and cover your herbs completely. Put the top on the jar and give a shake to help settle the herbs. Add more alcohol if needed to cover all the herbs.
3. I like to use these plastic canning jar lids to prevent corrosion of the metal lids from the alcohol.
4. Label and date your tincture and let it sit for four-to-six weeks.
5. Strain the herbs using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and bottle your tincture.

I purchased a 12 pack of 4-ounce amber tincture bottles, and these tiny funnels for filling them.  Having a dropper bottle makes taking the tincture much easier, and I can wash and reuse the bottles as needed.

 

 

How to use your homemade sleep tincture

The combination of herbs in this tincture is relaxing and lightly sedative. If you have difficulty settling into sleep at night, take 1 – 2 dropperfuls about an hour before you plan to go to bed. If you are still feeling restless at bedtime, take another dropperful. You can place the tincture straight on your tongue, or in a small glass of water.

If you struggle with waking during the night and find yourself unable to fall asleep again, keep the tincture beside your bed and take another 1 – 2 dropperfuls to help you return to sleep.

If you want to make a non-alcoholic tincture, glycerine can be substituted for the alcohol. However, the shelf-life of glycerine tinctures is only a few months, while the alcohol  tinctures last indefinitely. Mountain Rose Blog has a tutorial on How to Make Glycerine Extracts.

Do you have difficulty sleeping? What’s your favorite remedy?

In health,
~Michelle