Herbal Tincture Ratio Calculator
Calculate herb-to-solvent ratios, alcohol percentages, and steep times for making herbal tinctures at home.
A tincture is a concentrated herbal extract made by soaking plant material in a solvent (menstruum), typically alcohol. The two key variables are the herb-to-solvent weight ratio and the alcohol percentage.
Standard Tincture Ratios
The ratio is expressed as weight of herb : volume of solvent. For example, 1:5 means 1 gram of herb per 5 ml of solvent.
| Herb State | Standard Ratio | Alcohol % | Maceration Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh leaf/flower | 1:2 | 75–95% | 2–4 weeks |
| Fresh root/bark | 1:2 | 65–75% | 4–6 weeks |
| Dried leaf/flower | 1:5 | 40–60% | 4–6 weeks |
| Dried root/bark | 1:5 | 50–65% | 6–8 weeks |
| Dried berry/seed | 1:4 | 50–60% | 4–6 weeks |
| Fresh berry | 1:2 | 65–75% | 2–4 weeks |
Why the Ratio Differs for Fresh vs. Dried
Fresh herbs contain 60–80% water by weight. A 1:2 ratio with fresh herbs accounts for this internal water content. If you used 1:5 with fresh herbs, the final tincture would be too dilute. Dried herbs have only 5–12% moisture, so they absorb more solvent and need the higher 1:5 ratio to fully extract.
Alcohol Percentage Formula
To achieve a target alcohol percentage by mixing high-proof spirits with water: Volume of high-proof spirit = (Target % / Spirit %) x Total volume needed Volume of water = Total volume - Volume of spirit
Worked Example — Dried Echinacea Root Tincture
You have 50 grams of dried echinacea root. Ratio: 1:5, so you need 50 x 5 = 250 ml of menstruum. Target alcohol: 55%. Using 80-proof vodka (40% alcohol): this is too low for dried root. Using 190-proof grain alcohol (95%): Volume of grain alcohol = (55/95) x 250 = 144.7 ml. Volume of distilled water = 250 - 144.7 = 105.3 ml.
Combine 50g of herb + 144.7 ml grain alcohol + 105.3 ml distilled water in a mason jar. Shake daily for 6–8 weeks. Strain through cheesecloth. Store in amber dropper bottles.
Yield Estimate
You will lose approximately 30–40% of your solvent volume to absorption by the plant material. From 250 ml of menstruum, expect roughly 150–175 ml of finished tincture. A standard dose is 1–2 ml (about 30–60 drops), so this batch makes roughly 75–175 doses.
Glycerite Alternative
For alcohol-free tinctures, use vegetable glycerin at a 1:3 ratio for dried herbs. Glycerites are weaker than alcohol tinctures (glycerin extracts about 30–50% less than alcohol) but are suitable for children and those avoiding alcohol.