An herbal tincture is an alcohol-based liquid into which the properties of one or more herbs have been infused. Tinctures (also called herbal extractions) are one of the most popular herbal preparations used by clinical herbalists in our modern culture. Tinctures can be taken on the tongue, just like a flower essence, or can be added to a cup of water or tea. I have made mouth tonics, which are a lot like a mouthwash, from mainly tinctures and I often use tinctures as part of my cough syrup formulas because of the preserving nature of the alcohol in the tinctures.

An infused oil is an oil that has been filled with the properties of one or more herbs. Infused oils make great massage oils and are often used as the basis for healing salves. Some herbal infused oils, like garlic or cayenne, can be used for cooking, too.

Making a Heat-infused Herbal Oil: A General Procedure

An infused oil is an oil that has been infused with the properties of one or more herbs. Infused oils make great massage oils and are often used as the basis for healing salves. Some herbal infused oils can be used for cooking, too.

There are two basic ways to create an infused oil, the cold method or the hot method. The cold method, which is actually done at room temperature, takes time, but is relatively easy and requires little attention while the oil is soaking in the herb’s qualities. The hot method requires a direct heat source and close attention, but an infused oil can be prepared with this method within a relatively short period of time.