Dried Herbs vs. Fresh Herbs In Tinctures: Which Is Better For Medicinal Use?

There’s a lot to understand when it comes to making tinctures—especially when you consider why you’re making one and what result you want to achieve. The first step is choosing the right medium, or what’s known as the menstruum—the substance that extracts the medicinal compounds from the plant.

There are three commonly used mediums when creating tinctures: alcohol, glycerin, and oil.But let’s clear one thing up right away:

Oil isn’t technically a tincture.It’s more accurately called an infusion, and it’s meant for external use only—such as in healing balms, body oils, or salves. While oils carry plant benefits beautifully through the skin, they’re not suitable for internal use or long-term preservation like true tinctures.

So, when we’re talking about true tinctures, we’re really choosing between alcohol and glycerin.

 Glycerin Tinctures (Glycerites)

• Alcohol-free and naturally sweet

• Safe for children and pets

• Lower extraction power (mild to moderate potency)

• Shorter shelf life (typically 1–2 years)

• Best for gentle, nourishing blends or those who avoid alcohol

Alcohol Tinctures

• The most potent and effective option

• Extracts a broader range of plant compounds

• Long-lasting (5–10 years when stored properly)

• Rapidly absorbed by the body

• Not ideal for those avoiding alcohol

  
  

If you’re choosing alcohol as your medium, you’ll want to use vodka or high-proof grain alcohol (between 80 and 95%) depending on whether you're using dried or fresh herbs — and we’ll go into those details next.

Dried Herbs – Best Choice for Long-Lasting, Potent, Mold-Free Tinctures

Why dried is better for most home herbal tinctures:

1. Less Risk of Mold or Spoilage

   • Dried herbs have no water, so they don’t dilute the alcohol.

   • Alcohol stays strong enough to preserve the tincture for years.

2. More Controlled Potency

   • Dried herbs are consistent in strength and easier to measure.

   • No unexpected water content affecting extraction or shelf life.

3. Longer Shelf Life

   • A properly made tincture with dried herbs and 80–100 proof alcohol can last 5+ years, sometimes up to 10.

4. Easier to Source Year-Round

   • You can build a reliable apothecary using dried herbs and keep your workflow consistent.

   
   

Fresh Herbs – When to Use (But With Caution)

Use fresh herbs if:

• You grow your own or harvest them ethically.

• You want the unique volatile compounds (like in lemon balm, mint, or St. John’s wort), which degrade when dried.

• You're using very high-proof alcohol (like 95% grain alcohol / Everclear), which is strong enough to preserve the added water content from the fresh plants.

Downside:

• Higher mold risk if herbs aren’t fully submerged or alcohol is too weak.

• More variable potency.

• Shorter shelf life unless made perfectly.

Tincture Fill Guidelines: Fresh vs. Dried Herbs

1. Fresh Herbs:

• Fill the jar full (lightly packed, not jammed in).

• Then cover completely with alcohol (make sure all herbs are submerged).

• Use at least 100-proof alcohol (50% ABV) because fresh herbs contain water that dilutes the alcohol.

2. Dried Herbs:

• Fill the jar half to 3/4 full with dried herbs.

• Then fill to the top with alcohol (usually 80–100 proof vodka is fine).

• Dried herbs are more concentrated and absorb alcohol quickly, so you don’t need to use as much.

Whether you're using fresh or dried herbs, crafting tinctures is a powerful and time-honored way to preserve the healing gifts of plants. Fresh herbs can offer vibrant, potent extractions when handled properly—especially for herbs that lose their medicinal strength once dried. On the other hand, dried herbs bring consistency, stability, and ease of storage, making them a favorite for many herbalists.

Choosing between alcohol or glycerin as your base comes down to your intended use, audience, and personal preferences. Alcohol delivers a highly potent, long-lasting tincture, while glycerin offers a sweet, gentle, alcohol-free alternative that's ideal for kids, pets, and those with sensitivities.

At the end of the day, the best tincture is the one you feel empowered and confident to make. Start with a few trusted herbs, keep your workspace clean, label everything well—and most importantly, enjoy the process of reconnecting with natural medicine. If you would like a list of herbs that are best used for tinctures when fresh, please reach out: breathenaturalproducts@gmail.com  I would be happy to help!