As much as I have come to enjoy my teas, I also find tinctures very useful and practical.  A tincture is a way in which you can make your own herbal medicine. 
Either dried or fresh herbs may be used with the base being either alcoholic or glycerine based.  I personally prefer vodka as the menstruum, or liquid, with 80 or 100 proof adequate.

I do use a simplers, or folk, method for making tinctures.  I don't do alot of measuring, and use tinctures primarily as a way to preserve my seasonal herbs.

This is not a step-by-step method of making tinctures, that may come later, but these are simply some of the recipes I have used with some success.

These recipes may also be taken as teas, but I would probably omit the cayenne....

**These can be used by children as well as adults, the alcohol can be easily evaporated by putting the resulting tincture drops into hot, boiling water.   I usually put the drops I want in a small mug, add water from the tea kettle along with some honey, and allow it to cool.  This seems to be the best way I have found for kids to dring them when needed.

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Cold Formula

1 part peppermint

1 part chamomile

1 part sage

1 part lemon grass

1 part yarrow

1.5 parts licorice root

.5 part of cayenne

2 parts echinacea

1 part rosehips

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Flu and Vomiting Formula

5 parts ginger

2 parts fennel seed

2 parts catnip

1 part echinaecea

1 part slippery elm

1 part licorice root

.5 part cayenne

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