Old Tinctures

christinak · Mar 14, 2013

Hey all. I made a lot of tinctures when I lived in my old house. Some were strained and packaged into amber bottles and packed into boxes while others never got that far and are still soaking, lol! These are 5-6 years old. All have been stored in a dark and cool place. Are either batches still good to use? They are all dried herbs in 160 proof vodka.

AlchemyandAshes · Mar 14, 2013

Are you talking about for "medicinal purposes"? What do they smell like? Are they cloudy? I have a Mint tincture that is from 2003 that still smells a bit minty, though much less than originally. It's kind of my "experiment bottle"...I don't use it internally, but keep it around to see how long it will continue to retain the scent. It's dark but not cloudy, so I could probably still use it...

The tinctures with plant matter still in them, I would probably not use. It's probably so broken down now that you'll have sludge to strain out. I think Tinctures by nature (alcohol based) will last a super long time...but I can't say how effective they will be after 6 years. IMO, when in doubt, especially with something you're going to ingest: throw it out. If you can't bear to throw them away and think there may still be some benefit to them, like antibacterial properties, add some to a homemade household cleaner.
Check out this thread:
http://www.healingwiseforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18591
http://www.eclecticphysician.com/how-long-herbal-tinctures-last/

christinak · Mar 14, 2013

Oh good idea

I haven't opened them, they are all sealed with bands for sale

I can't believe I forgot about them. The herbs in the vodka still look totally fresh.

bodhi · Apr 1, 2013

Lots of if's here, but if I had made them, and if I knew I made them correctly, with the appropriate alcohol content to inherent or added water and clean herbs to start with, and if i knew they were stored properly, I think i might be quite excited to find them and give them a try! I found a bottle of elder that had been macerating for three years this past fall, and it was divine.