Many of the trees and plants mentioned in this book have parts—bark, berries, and flowers—that can be taken medicinally. However, great care should always be taken to ensure that you have both correctly identified the plant you wish to use, and have thoroughly researched its effects, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are intending to treat children. With due caution, homemade tinctures are easy to make and effective. When gathering plant material, always ask the plants’ permission and the land owner, where relevant.
You will need a dark glass jar or bottle sterilised using tablets or boiling water, and either brandy or vodka with as high an alcohol content as possible. Take your plant matter and crush with a pestle and mortar or or cut it up knife, a process that is especially important with barks and tough leaves. Place in the jar and pour enough alcohol to cover completely. Leave in a cool, dark place for a month, and then strain and bottle in another sterilised container. With research and practice, you can combine plants to make more sophisticated tinctures for specific medical complaints and health issues.
Particularly useful and safe ogham tree tinctures are hawthorn for stress and elderberry for coughs and colds. Nonalcoholic tinctures, called elixirs, can be made in the same way using honey. As before, use enough to completely cover the plant material.
They will keep best in a cool, dark place for several months or years depending on the strength of the alcohol used. Elixirs will happily keep for many months, but should always be checked before use.