Crafting tinctures involves a delicate process of extracting the essential properties of herbs and plants using a solvent, typically alcohol or vinegar. This isn't a task to be taken lightly; it demands precision and patience. Begin by finely chopping or grinding the selected herbs to increase their surface area, a crucial step for optimal extraction.

The next step involves placing the prepared herbs into a clean, sterilized jar, filling it about halfway. Pour the chosen solvent over the herbs, ensuring they are completely submerged. Seal the jar tightly. Meticulous attention to detail, as well as being aware of the date you begin the process, will ensure that the tincture will be potent and effective.

Store the jar in a cool, dark place for several weeks, shaking it gently every few days to encourage the extraction process. This period of waiting, usually four to six weeks, allows the solvent to draw out the vital compounds from the herbs. Once the herbs have steeped sufficiently, strain the mixture through a strainer (or if without a strainer a cheesecloth will do) into a clean container, discarding the leftover solid plant material. The liquid you see captured before you is a tincture, a highly concentrated elixir that can be stored in a dark glass bottle. Tinctures are incredibly potent and are typically used in small doses, providing a powerful and convenient way to harness the medicinal, as well as magical, properties of herbs. Any herbalist or apothecary worth his flask knows these arts backwards.