Making a lavender tincture is straightforward: steep lavender flowers in high-proof alcohol for several weeks, strain, and bottle. The result is a concentrated liquid extract that captures lavender’s key aromatic compounds, primarily linalool and linalyl acetate, which are responsible for its calming properties. The whole process requires minimal equipment and about 10 minutes of hands-on time, though you’ll need patience during the weeks of steeping.
Choosing the Right Lavender
Not all lavender works equally well for tinctures. Lavandula angustifolia (sometimes called English lavender or “true lavender”) is the preferred species for internal preparations. It has a softer, sweeter flavor without the strong camphor notes found in other varieties. Lavandin (Lavandula x intermedia), the hybrid variety most people associate with classic lavender scent, contains more camphor and leaves a medicinal aftertaste. It’s better suited to perfumes and bath products than something you’ll take by mouth.
If you’re growing your own, harvest the flower spikes just as the buds begin to open, when the essential oil content peaks. You can use either fresh or dried flowers. Dried lavender is easier to work with because you don’t need to account for water content, and it’s available year-round from herb suppliers. If buying dried lavender, look for organic culinary-grade flowers with a strong, bright scent. Dull-smelling, grayish buds have lost much of their potency.
Fresh vs. Dried: Different Ratios
The ratio of plant material to alcohol matters because it determines how concentrated your tincture will be. Fresh and dried flowers require different proportions since fresh flowers contain water that dilutes the alcohol.
- Dried flowers: Use a 1:5 ratio by volume, meaning 1 part dried lavender to 5 parts alcohol. For a small batch, that’s roughly 1 ounce of dried flowers covered with 5 ounces of vodka.
- Fresh flowers: Fill a jar about halfway with loosely packed flowers, then pour alcohol to the top. You’re aiming for roughly twice as much alcohol as flowers by volume.
These are folk-method ratios, which is how most home herbalists work. They’re forgiving and produce a tincture that’s effective without being overly precise. The key is making sure the plant material stays fully submerged in alcohol throughout the steeping process.
Picking Your Alcohol
The alcohol serves as the solvent that pulls lavender’s active compounds out of the plant material. For home tinctures, 80 to 100 proof vodka (40 to 50% alcohol) works well. Vodka is neutral in flavor, widely available, and strong enough to extract lavender’s aromatic oils while also pulling out water-soluble compounds.
Commercial lavender tincture producers sometimes start with 190-proof grain alcohol (95% alcohol) to maximize extraction of volatile oils, then dilute the final product. For a home tincture, this level of strength isn’t necessary. Standard vodka extracts the relevant compounds effectively. If you want a slightly stronger extraction, choose 100 proof over 80 proof. Avoid anything lower than 80 proof, as insufficient alcohol can lead to spoilage and weak extraction.
Step-by-Step Preparation
You’ll need a clean glass canning jar with a tight-fitting lid, your lavender, vodka, and eventually a straining setup. Here’s the process:
Place your dried lavender in the jar using the 1:5 ratio (or fill halfway with fresh flowers). Pour vodka over the top until the plant material is completely covered with at least an inch of liquid above it. Lavender buds are light and tend to float, so you may need to press them down or add a bit of extra alcohol. Seal the jar tightly.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place. A kitchen cupboard works fine. Direct sunlight degrades the aromatic compounds you’re trying to extract, so keep it out of windowsills. Let it steep for 2 to 6 weeks. Shake or swirl the jar most days to help the extraction along. Four weeks is a good standard target for a well-rounded tincture.
You’ll notice the alcohol darkening to a golden or amber color within the first few days. The scent will become increasingly floral as the weeks pass.
Straining and Bottling
Once your tincture has steeped long enough, it’s time to separate the liquid from the spent plant material. Clean all your equipment beforehand, even though alcohol is naturally antimicrobial.
Set a funnel over a clean glass jar or measuring cup and line it with a double layer of muslin cloth or two unbleached coffee filters. Pour the tincture slowly through the filter. The most important tip for a clear, sediment-free result: let the liquid drip through on its own rather than pressing or squeezing the plant material. This takes longer but produces a cleaner tincture. Straining into a clear glass container first lets you do a visual check. If you spot sediment, simply run it through a fresh filter.
Transfer the finished tincture into dark glass bottles, ideally amber or cobalt dropper bottles. Dark glass protects against light degradation. Avoid plastic containers, which can interact with alcohol over time. Label each bottle with the contents and the date. An alcohol-based lavender tincture stored in dark glass with a tight cap will keep for several years.
How to Use Lavender Tincture
Lavender tincture is typically taken in small amounts. A common approach is 20 to 40 drops (roughly 1 to 2 milliliters) added to a small glass of water or juice, taken up to a few times per day. Many people use it in the evening to support relaxation before sleep. You can also add it to herbal tea, though the alcohol flavor will be noticeable in plain hot water.
Beyond internal use, lavender tincture works as a convenient way to add lavender to homemade body care products, room sprays, or bath water. A dropperful in a warm bath combines the benefits of the aromatic compounds with the ritual of a relaxing soak.
Safety Considerations
Lavender is generally well tolerated, but there are a few things worth knowing. Because lavender has calming properties, there are theoretical concerns about interactions with sedative medications or herbs. If you take anything for sleep or anxiety, or if you have an upcoming surgery, this is worth discussing with your healthcare provider. The National Institutes of Health notes that little is known about the safety of lavender preparations during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so most herbalists recommend caution during those times.
As with any tincture, keep in mind that the base is alcohol. Each dose is small (a fraction of a teaspoon), but it’s still relevant for anyone avoiding alcohol for medical or personal reasons. Glycerin-based tinctures are an alternative, though glycerin is a weaker solvent and produces a less potent extract.