Dandelion Root Tincture

A simple herbal tincture made with dried dandelion root and unflavoured spirit. The root gives the finished extract a deep, earthy bitterness. Prepare one small batch and allow four weeks for steeping before straining.

Working with wild plants

Use confidently identified common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root. If you gather your own, identify the whole plant before digging. Wash the root, chop it and dry it completely before weighing.

Use dried root for this preparation. Fresh root contains more water, so it is not a direct substitute in the proportions below.

Learn more in the Dandelion plant guide.

Amber dropper bottle of dandelion root tincture beside a dish of chopped dried dandelion root.

Dandelion Root Tincture

A traditional herbal tincture made with dried dandelion root, steeped in alcohol for four weeks and then strained.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Steeping time 28 days
Total Time 28 days 10 minutes
Servings: 1 small batch
Course: Herbal Preparation
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 50 g Dried dandelion root chopped
  • 250 ml Unflavoured drinking spirit (45% ABV)

Equipment

  • Kitchen scales
  • Clean, dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Clean muslin or cheesecloth
  • Funnel
  • Clean, dry amber glass bottle with a tight-fitting cap

Method
 

  1. Weigh the chopped, fully dried dandelion root and put it in the jar.
  2. Pour in the spirit. Choose a jar narrow enough for the liquid to cover the root completely. Close the jar and label it with the ingredients, alcohol strength and start date.
  3. Leave the jar in a cool, dark cupboard for four weeks. Gently turn the sealed jar every few days and check that the root stays submerged.
  4. Line a fine-mesh strainer with clean muslin or cheesecloth and strain the liquid.
  5. Use a funnel to transfer the tincture to the amber bottle. Close it tightly and label it with the name, straining date and “Contains Alcohol”.

Notes

Yield: The finished volume will be less than 250 ml because the dried root absorbs some of the liquid.
Storage: Keep the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark place and out of reach of children. This homemade tincture has no verified shelf life.
Adults only: This is a concentrated alcohol extract. Avoid it during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if you need to avoid alcohol, or if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family.
Before use: Dandelion root is not recommended if you have gallstones, bile duct problems or liver disease. If you take medication or are considering the tincture for a health concern, ask a pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional first.

Bottling Tips

If fine pieces of root pass through the first strain, pass the liquid through fresh muslin before bottling.

Keep the root weight and the original spirit strength on the label or in a batch note. This makes it easy to check what you used when you make another batch.

You May Also Like

Glass mug of amber dandelion root tea beside chopped dried dandelion root.

Dandelion Root Tea

Rosemary-infused honey in a glass jar beside dried rosemary leaves and a spoonful of honey.

Rosemary-Infused Honey

Cotton bath sachet with long pine needles and coarse sea salt on a wooden stool.

Pine Needle Bath Soak