The question of whether to use alcohol or glycerine as your tincture solvent comes up early in any home herbalist's practice. The short answer is that alcohol is better for most purposes — more effective at extracting a wider range of constituents, and far superior as a preservative. But glycerine-based tinctures (glycerites) have genuine advantages in specific situations, and understanding those situations helps you make the right choice.
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Alcohol Tinctures
How They Work
Alcohol is an excellent solvent because it extracts both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents from plant material. This broad-spectrum extraction means you get a more complete picture of the herb's profile in a single preparation. Alcohol also acts as a preservative, inhibiting bacterial and fungal growth and giving alcohol tinctures a shelf life of three to five years when stored correctly.
What Alcohol to Use
Vodka at 40% ABV is the most practical choice for most home tinctures. It is neutral in flavour, widely available, legal to buy without restriction, and at 40% alcohol it extracts well from most aerial plant parts and some roots. The remaining 60% water handles the water-soluble constituents simultaneously.
For roots, resins and some other dense materials, a higher-proof spirit (brandy at 40%, or grain alcohol diluted to 60-70% if available) extracts more effectively. Valerian root, for example, benefits from a higher alcohol percentage than vodka provides — some herbalists use brandy for this reason.
Advantages
- Broad-spectrum extraction of both water- and alcohol-soluble constituents
- Long shelf life — 3-5 years
- Fast absorption
- The standard preparation in professional and home herbal practice
Disadvantages
- Not suitable for those who avoid alcohol entirely
- Not appropriate for children's preparations
- Some people find the alcohol flavour unpleasant in certain tinctures
Glycerite Tinctures
How They Work
Vegetable glycerine (glycerol) is a sweet, thick liquid derived from plant oils. It extracts some of the same constituents as alcohol — particularly water-soluble compounds — but does not extract alcohol-soluble constituents effectively. Glycerites are therefore considered a gentler, less complete extraction than alcohol tinctures, but a perfectly valid preparation for appropriate herbs and situations.
What Glycerine to Use
Food-grade vegetable glycerine, widely available online and in health food shops. Use undiluted for most preparations, or diluted with water (typically 60% glycerine, 40% water) for some herbs. Unlike alcohol, glycerine does not need to be a specific concentration — standard food-grade vegetable glycerine is consistent in quality.
Advantages
- Suitable for those who avoid alcohol
- Appropriate for children's preparations
- Sweet flavour — more palatable for bitter herbs
- Gentle preparation method
Disadvantages
- Narrower spectrum of extraction — misses alcohol-soluble constituents
- Shorter shelf life — typically 1-2 years, compared to 3-5 for alcohol tinctures
- Not effective for roots, resins or high-resin herbs
- Thicker consistency makes dosing slightly less precise
Which Herbs Work Best as Glycerites?
Glycerites work best for herbs where the primary active constituents are water-soluble and where a gentle, palatable preparation is preferred:
- Lemon balm — makes a pleasant, aromatic glycerite with good extraction of its aromatic compounds
- Chamomile — a gentle, sweet glycerite suitable for children's preparations
- Red clover — flowers extract reasonably well in glycerine
Glycerites are less suitable for valerian root, skullcap and motherwort — herbs where the full alcohol extraction is considered important to the quality and effectiveness of the preparation.
The Verdict: Which Should You Use?
For most home tincture-making, start with alcohol. The extraction is broader, the shelf life is longer, and it is the standard preparation in herbal practice for good reasons. Use glycerites when you specifically need an alcohol-free preparation — for a child, for someone who avoids alcohol for health or personal reasons, or for milder herbs where the gentler extraction is perfectly adequate.
There is no rule against making both — a glycerite of lemon balm for everyday use and an alcohol tincture of the same plant for longer storage is a perfectly reasonable approach.
Grow your own tincture herbs
All the herbs mentioned in this guide are available from The Healing Herb Garden as plants, delivered across the UK.
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More in the Tincture Making Series
Read our full introduction: How to Make Herbal Tinctures at Home: A UK Guide, or explore:
- Best Herbs for Tincture Making UK
- How to Harvest and Dry Herbs for Tinctures
- Tincture Making Equipment: What You Need
- How to Store and Use Your Herbal Tinctures
The information in this article is intended for general interest and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any plant or herb for health purposes, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a herbal tincture?
A herbal tincture is a liquid extract made by steeping herbs in alcohol (or glycerine for an alcohol-free version). The solvent extracts and preserves the active constituents of the plant.
Can I make herbal tinctures at home in the UK?
Yes. Making tinctures at home for personal use is perfectly legal in the UK. You need dried or fresh herbs, food-grade alcohol (vodka works well), glass jars and patience.
How long do homemade tinctures last?
Properly made alcohol tinctures stored in amber glass bottles away from light and heat will keep for 3–5 years. Glycerite tinctures have a shorter shelf life of 1–3 years.
What strength alcohol should I use for tinctures?
For most dried herbs, 40% alcohol (standard vodka) is sufficient. Fresh plant tinctures with higher water content benefit from higher-proof spirit (60–70%) to account for the plant's moisture.
What is the difference between a fresh and dried herb tincture?
Fresh plant tinctures capture volatile compounds that can be lost in drying, and are preferred for herbs like lemon balm and skullcap. Dried herb tinctures are more concentrated and easier to standardise.
Are glycerite tinctures as effective as alcohol tinctures?
Glycerites are gentler and suitable for those avoiding alcohol, but glycerine is less efficient at extracting certain compounds. They are a good choice for mild herbs like lemon balm and catnip.
How do I take a herbal tincture?
Tinctures are typically taken in small doses (1–3ml) diluted in a little water. Always follow the guidance for the specific herb and consult a healthcare provider if unsure.
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