How to Make a Ginger Tincture

[SunKat]

A ginger tincture is easy to make and is wonderful for treating:

• nausea
• motion sickness
• stomach flu
• congestion
• chills

Because it’s concentrated, you only need a few drops at a time to be effective, making it much easier to dose to a person reluctant to swallow anything. I find that mixing a few drops into a glass of ginger ale, or a spoonful of honey, makes patient compliance much higher!

While ginger is an excellent home remedy that’s completely safe for many people, if you are: on prescription medications (especially blood thinners), pregnant, or nursing; check with a medical professional before treating your symptoms with this or any other herbal preparation.

To make this tincture you will need:

• ginger
• high proof alcohol (such as vodka or brandy)

 

For the ginger, you can use either powdered (like you buy in a spice section of a store) or chopped dried root or chopped fresh root. I buy my dried ginger from either Mountain Rose Herbs or the Bulk Herb Store (affiliate links) for substantial savings and unparalleled freshness, but you may be able to find a high quality, organic brand at your local health store as well. Fresh ginger root is often found in the produce section of your local supermarket.

No precise amounts are given in this recipe, because it’s completely determined by how much ginger you have on hand.

If using dried spice: Fill a jar about 1/4 full with your ginger. Pour vodka (or brandy) over it until you have almost filled the jar. Cap, shake and store in a cool, dark place for several weeks, shaking periodically. After 4 to 6 weeks, strain and store your ginger tincture. The shelf life of this tincture is at least one to two years, if not longer.

If using fresh root: Fill a jar roughly 1/2 to 3/4 way full with your chopped ginger. Pour vodka or brandy over top, until the jar is almost filled. Place a cap on the jar, shake well and store in a dark cabinet for around two weeks, shaking periodically. After two to three weeks, strain and store your finished ginger tincture in a cool, dark place. Shelf life is a year, or longer.

You can buy a variety of tincture bottles and other containers from Mountain Rose Herbs.

 

Dosing:

The general recommended dosage for adults is up to three dropperfuls, three times a day, with children receiving half of that suggested dose. However, I find it powerful enough to only need to dose my children about three drops at a time, scattered throughout the day as needed (though one or two doses usually does the trick.) So, be sure to start with a lower dose and see how that does first.

 

Remember: This is a great home remedy for the occasional case of queasiness or stomach bug, but if you develop persistent symptoms or serious signs of illness, you should seek the advice of your doctor or other health care provider.

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