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There’s something quietly satisfying about making your own tincture from foraged ingredients. This easy, alcohol-free recipe uses stinging nettles, an abundant wild plant with a long history of traditional use. Whether you’re new to tinctures or have tried a few before, this is a calm, beginner-friendly way to start. You’ll only need a jar, some fresh nettle roots or leaves, and apple cider vinegar. No fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients. Just a bit of time and patience.
Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) are a wild green commonly found in temperate regions across the world. They’re easily recognizable by their jagged, heart-shaped leaves and the fine, stinging hairs that cover the stems and undersides. These hairs can cause a mild burning or itching sensation when touched, but once the plant is dried or cooked, it becomes completely safe to handle and consume.
Nettles thrive in damp, nitrogen-rich soil. You’ll often spot them along riverbanks, woodland edges, country lanes, or tucked away in overgrown gardens. They usually appear in early spring and are best picked before flowering, when their leaves are still young and tender. For this recipe, you can use either the roots or the leaves.
Nettles have long been valued in herbal traditions. While no health claims can be made definitively, many people use them in teas, infusions, and tinctures for their suggested benefits. They’re said to be anti-inflammatory and support everything from digestion and energy to skin clarity and joint comfort. Nutritionally, nettles are packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, and protein.
If you’re picking nettles yourself, always wear gloves. The fine hairs on the plant contain formic acid and other natural compounds that can irritate the skin. Thick gardening gloves or rubber dish gloves are perfect. Use scissors or garden snips to cut just above the base of the stem, and be gentle when handling. Once nettles are processed, the sting goes away completely, but during harvesting and washing, gloves are essential.
The best time to pick stinging nettles is in spring or early summer, when the plants are young, tender, and full of nutrients. This is typically before they flower. Once nettles begin to bloom, their texture becomes tougher and the leaves may develop compounds that are less palatable or desirable for consumption. Early-season nettles are easier to work with and are considered ideal for teas, soups, and tinctures. If you’re harvesting roots, late autumn or very early spring is often recommended, when the plant’s energy is stored underground.
A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made by soaking herbs, roots, or plants in a solvent like alcohol or vinegar. It’s a way to preserve the properties of a plant and create something that can be added to water, tea, or juice in small amounts.
You can make nettle tinctures from either the leaves or the roots. Both have been used in different ways in herbal traditions. Leaf tinctures are often associated with general wellness or seasonal support, while root tinctures are sometimes linked to urinary or hormonal balance. Again, these uses are based on traditional knowledge and anecdotal evidence, not proven medical outcomes.
Tinctures are typically taken in small doses. Most people use a few drops to half a teaspoon at a time, mixed into a glass of water, tea, or juice. Always start with a small amount and see how your body responds. You can use it once or twice a day, or occasionally as needed. Since this recipe uses apple cider vinegar, it’s alcohol-free and safe for just about anyone to try, including those avoiding alcohol.
I make my nettle tincture with raw apple cider vinegar, which gives it a gentle, tangy base and keeps it accessible to more people. It’s shelf-stable and doesn’t require refrigeration once strained. If you prefer a stronger extract or want a longer shelf life, you can use a high-proof alcohol like vodka or brandy instead. Alcohol-based tinctures extract slightly different compounds from the plant and are considered more potent by some herbalists.
You don’t need large quantities of nettles or vinegar to get started. Just make sure your jar is clean and dry. Fill it about one-third full with chopped nettle leaves or roots, then top up with enough apple cider vinegar to fully cover the plant material. Once sealed in an airtight jar, store your tincture in a cool, dark place for four to six weeks. Shake it gently every other day to keep things circulating. When the tincture is ready, strain out the solids using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and transfer the liquid to a dropper bottle or clean jar.
There’s something grounding about having a little bottle of wild nature tucked into your kitchen cabinet. Nettle tinctures are simple to make, endlessly adaptable, and a lovely way to use a plant that grows almost everywhere. Whether you take a few drops in the morning or just enjoy the ritual of making your own remedies, this is one of the easiest ways to connect with the season. Enjoy!
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This easy, alcohol-free tincture recipe uses stinging nettles, an abundant wild plant with a long history of traditional use. Whether you’re new to tinctures or have tried a few before, this is a calm, beginner-friendly way to start. All you need is a jar, some fresh nettle roots or leaves, and apple cider vinegar.
Nettle roots or leaves
Apple cider vinegar
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