Making Clove Tincture: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Love of Clove
Welcome back nature lovers!,
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) has been revered for its powerful medicinal properties for centuries.
The flower buds of the clove tree are rich in compounds like eugenol, which give them their distinctive aroma and numerous health benefits.
Clove tincture can support immune function, act as a natural pain reliever, and promote digestive health.
As we craft this tincture, let’s keep in mind not only the scientific benefits but also the intentional practices we can incorporate into our lives.
What You’ll Need:
Dried Cloves – About 1 ounce (28 grams)
Alcohol – 80-100 proof (vodka, rum, or brandy)
Why Alcohol?
Alcohol extracts the active compounds from the cloves, preserving their medicinal qualities. It also acts as a natural preservative, allowing the tincture to last for months.A clean glass jar – Preferably with a tight-fitting lid
A strainer or cheesecloth – For straining out the clove solids
A dark glass bottle – To store the finished tincture (helps preserve potency)
Step 1: Preparing Your Cloves
Start by gathering about 1 ounce of dried cloves. If you’re using whole cloves, they may be harder to crush, but gently grinding them can help release more of the active compounds, especially eugenol.
Mindful Practice: As you prepare the cloves, take a moment to appreciate their distinct aroma and the centuries of healing they’ve supported. The scent of clove can be grounding, reminding us that small, simple actions can contribute to long-term well-being. It’s about slowing down, like the clove’s own process of growth, and paying attention to the present.
Step 2: Combining Cloves and Alcohol
Place the cloves into your clean glass jar. Then, pour your chosen alcohol over the cloves, ensuring they are fully submerged. For every ounce of cloves, use about 4 ounces of alcohol. Seal the jar tightly.
Scientific Note: The active compound eugenol in clove is fat-soluble and alcohol-soluble. The alcohol helps to pull out the beneficial compounds, including antioxidants and antimicrobial agents. The extraction process typically takes about 2-4 weeks, allowing the alcohol to draw out the medicinal properties of the cloves.
Mindful Practice: As you close the jar, set an intention for your tincture. It could be something as simple as “May this tincture support my health,” or “May I remember the power of patience in the process of healing.”
Step 3: Letting It Infuse
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least 2-4 weeks, shaking it gently every couple of days to agitate the mixture. The longer you let it steep, the more potent the tincture will be.
Scientific Insight: The tincture extraction process involves both solvent extraction (from the alcohol) and time. Cloves, like many medicinal plants, require this slow extraction method to fully release their valuable compounds, such as eugenol, caryophyllene, and tannins.
Mindful Practice: During the waiting period, take moments to reflect on the process of growth and transformation. Much like the tincture brewing, personal growth takes time. You don’t have to rush—trust that with patience, the right conditions, and nurturing, you’ll experience positive changes.
Step 4: Straining the Tincture
After the tincture has steeped for 2-4 weeks, strain out the cloves using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Ensure you press the cloves gently to extract all the liquid, leaving no valuable extract behind.
Mindful Practice: As you strain the tincture, take note of how the process mirrors moments in life when we need to release the things that no longer serve us—whether that’s old habits, emotions, or even physical clutter.
Step 5: Storing and Using the Tincture
Pour the strained tincture into a dark glass bottle. Store it in a cool, dark place to preserve its potency.
Best Practices:
Dosage: For adults, a common dose is 1-2 dropper fulls (about 20-40 drops) up to three times a day in water or tea.
For Immune Support: Clove tincture can be taken during cold and flu season to support immune function.
For Digestive Health: Use 1-2 drops before meals to aid digestion and reduce bloating or indigestion.
As a Pain Reliever: Clove tincture, thanks to eugenol, can be applied topically (diluted in a carrier oil) for toothaches, headaches, or sore muscles.
Mindful Practice: As you use your tincture, take a moment to be intentional. Sip slowly and reflect on how the small, intentional actions you take each day—whether through herbs, nutrition, or mindful practices—contribute to your well-being over time.
Closing Thoughts on Clove Tincture
The process of making and using clove tincture is not just about health; it’s about aligning with the rhythms of nature and embracing the slow, deliberate growth that leads to transformation. The clove plant, in all its strength and warmth, reminds us to take our time, care for ourselves, and remain connected to the natural world. Each step in making this tincture, like each step in life, brings us closer to balance and healing.
Stay grounded, stay patient, and trust the process.