How to Make Red Clover Tincture

Red clover tincture, with its isoflavones, is said to be a beneficial herb for postmenopausal women in need of an estrogen supplement. Red clover tincture contains small amounts of estrogen, a hormone lacking in women who have had their "change of life." The tincture is of help to postmenopausal women, including improving the cardiovascular system. Although red clover tincture is not approved by the FDA, it is said to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL). It is said that the herbal tincture also reduces the risk of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.

Instructions

1

Pick only the blossoms from wild red clover plants growing in an area undisturbed by traffic, animals and children. Pick clean blossoms until you have gathered together two cups. Remove any stalks or leaves from the blossoms, as the strength of the tincture comes mainly from the blossoms.

2

Measure two cups of 100-proof (50% by volume) good-quality vodka and two cups of unwashed, packed red clover blossoms into a medium-sized, glass, screw-top jar.

3

Shake the mixture every day for two weeks. Blossoms will lose their color almost immediately on immersion in the alcohol; this is normal.

4

Strain the blossoms and debris from the tincture through cheesecloth and then through coffee filters a few times until clear after two to six weeks. Squeeze the blossoms to get all the tincture from them.

5

Pipette the tincture into 1-oz. amber-colored dropper bottles and seal the lids tightly. Place a shrink-band on the neck of the dropper bottle and use a hair dryer to shrink to fit it snugly. Label and store in a dark closet or cupboard for the longest possible shelf life.