Echinacea Tincture - Alcohol free

Echinacea, also known as coneflower, is a versatile plant. Beautiful and attractive as a colorful flower in the garden and also famous for its medicinal properties, which can help with colds, among other things.

In this blog, you will discover multiple uses of echinacea. We discuss how to dry the leaves for an infusion and how to make an alcohol-free tincture (glycerite) from the echinacea roots. This is how to get the most out of this special plant.

Echinacea is a perennial that is both ornamental and medicinal. With striking pink, purple or sometimes white petals and a prickly, cone-shaped center, this plant is a real eye-catcher in any garden.

Originally from North America, this flower does well in our climate. Echinacea is a great choice for bees, bumblebees and butterflies, which love its nectar. The sunflower blooms from early summer through September and thrives in a sunny spot in well-drained soil. In addition, the plant is hardy and requires little maintenance.

Medicinal properties of echinacea

In addition to attracting insects and being loved as an ornamental plant, echinacea has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. All parts of the plant: the roots, stems, leaves and flowers, contain various bioactive substances that supports the immune system and help reduce symptoms of a cold. Among other things, echinacea activates white blood cells.

Echinacea tea

Most of the medicinal substances are in the roots of the echinacea plant. However, you can only harvest these after three years. The other plant parts also contain, albeit to a lesser extent, effective substances. So while the coneflower is growing and blooming, you can use the leaves, for example, to make a tea, or rather an infusion.

To make an infusion, you can pour boiling water over fresh leaves or leaves that you have dried in a dehydrator and let it steep for five minutes. Then remove the leaves from the water and enjoy this drink.

Drying leaves for infusion

To dry leaves for an infusion, pick nice, green ones from the plant. Wash them clean under the tap and gently pat dry. Place the leaves around the racks of the drying oven and set it to the lowest temperature. Preferably 30̊ Celsius to a maximum of 35̊ Celsius. The duration of drying depends on several factors. Dry the leaves until you are sure they are completely dry and crispy.

Tincture without alcohol – glycerite

To take full advantage of the medicinal properties of the coneflower, take the roots and don't use water, but another liquid to draw the bioactive compounds from the plant parts.

Now my strong preference is to make the drink I use to promote my health alcohol-free. Because although alcohol is socially accepted, it always carries risks of developing cancer or, brain or liver damage. Therefore, I make my extract based on glycerin. This is called a glycerite.

Alcohol free ‘tincture’ of echinacea

Supplies for a glycerite of echinacea:

• Roots of echinacea plant

• Glycerin (foodgrade and organic)

• Water

• Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid

• Sieve and cheesecloth

Preparation:

1. Wash the roots of the echinacea plant thoroughly and cut the roots into pieces. Or use dried roots.

2. Half fill a clean glass jar with the echinacea root pieces.

3. Fill the rest of the jar with glycerin and water in a 3:1 ratio.

4. Seal the jar tightly and put in place where it is not in direct sunlight. Gently shake the jar every day.

5. After 6-8 weeks, strain the roots from the extract using a sieve and (folded) cheesecloth. Collect the glycerite in a clean jar or bottle. The roots are not used any further. Label your bottle or jar with the contents and date.

6. Store the echinacea glycerite in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 24 months.

Disclaimer

I am neither a doctor nor an herbalist. I share what I have learned by consulting multiple sources and my own experiences by trying it at home.

The information in this blog is educational and general in nature. The blogs on this site are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, personal advice or treatment from a qualified health care provider.

Do your own research with multiple sources. Consult with your doctor or health care provider before using echinacea in your situation. This is because there is always a chance that a natural herbal remedy may have unintended consequences or interactions with medications, for example.