I think one of the first practices everyone tries in herbalism is making their own products. Tinctures, teas, oils. It is fun and exciting, even empowering. We are not only connecting with nature on a deeper level than we ever have before, we are also making medicine by ourselves for ourselves. I love this about herbalism because I truly feel everybody has the right to know how to care for themselves. Herbalism is the key to that big pharma lock.
Today I want to walk through the major extraction methods and go a layer deeper. My goal is to answer questions like,
“What is the difference between these methods?”
“If I do not like the taste of this tea, will a tincture give me the same benefits?”
This article will not be a step by step how to. There are plenty of great tutorials for that, including here on Substack. I am going to focus on the science behind extraction, what is being pulled from the plant, and why you will hear an herbalist say, “this plant likes to be extracted in ____.”
For example, marshmallow really shines in cold water. Why is that?
Let’s get into how the method shapes the medicine.
The rest of this article is for paid members. What you'll find:
We explore what herbal extraction really is and why understanding the process matters. You’ll learn how factors like temperature, time, particle size, solvent-to-plant ratio, and solvent type influence what ends up in your medicine. We also break down the five major solvents used in herbalism — water, alcohol, glycerin, vinegar, and oil — and how to match each one to the right plant and purpose.
Included in this article is a downloadable Herbal Solvent Compatibility Chart, a practical guide that maps common plant constituents to the solvents that extract them best. It is designed to support your herbal studies and hands-on practice.
If you're ready to go deeper into the craft of herbal preparation, continue reading below.