Prepare the Echinacea: Wash the fresh echinacea leaves and flowers thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Chop the echinacea parts into small pieces to increase the surface area for extraction.
Fill the Jar: Place the chopped echinacea pieces into the clean glass jar, filling it about 3/4 of the way full.
Add Alcohol: Pour the alcohol over the echinacea until the jar is almost full. Make sure all the plant material is completely submerged to prevent mold growth.
Seal and Store: Close the jar tightly with the lid. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for about 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days to help with the extraction process.
Strain the Tincture: After 4-6 weeks, use cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer to strain out the plant material, collecting the liquid in a clean container.
Bottle the Tincture: Pour the strained liquid into dark glass dropper bottles for storage. Dark glass helps protect the tincture from light, which can degrade its potency.
