This year, the summer months are full to bursting with nature’s bounty to the point that my garden is producing more vegetables than my husband and I can eat, the yard is overrun with flowers, and the trees are in full bloom. The din of bees is quite mesmerizing!
One tree, in particular, I’m excited about is our mimosa tree. Since buying our house we have waited patiently for it to bloom. Well my friends, July it seems, is the time!
How to Make Mimosa Flower Tincture and What It’s Good For
Since most of us deal with some level of stress on a daily basis it’s good to know about a few natural ways to help mitigate its effects. More and more we are learning about just how much stress negatively affects the body and mind, and now, more than ever, it’s important for us to strive for a more calming atmosphere in our lives.
One way to do that is by taking mimosa tincture, and right now, the trees are ripe for the picking.
Mimosa, aka Albizia julibrissin, is one of the most valued botanicals in Chinese medicine for supporting an uplifted mood and peaceful state of mind. Known as the “herb of happiness”, Mimosa helps encourage mental stability and promotes emotional serenity.
I don’t know about you, but that sounds great! I could really use a bit more “emotional serenity” in my life.
Mimosa blossoms are also good for encouraging restful sleep, calming the spirit, relieving emotional constraint associated with anger, soothing irritability, and improving cognitive function. Mimosa bark is also a potent ally for grief and heartbreak because it helps anchor the heart and stabilize emotions.
I like to use mimosa flower tincture when I feel like I’m stuck in an angry and brooding sort of mood because it helps dissipate those unnecessary, damaging, and circulating thoughts from my mind and instead instill a sense of calm and control.
As soon as my tree was full of pink fluffy blossoms, I went out with a jar in hand and started picking them for tincturing.
Mimosa Blossom Tincture Recipe
The Folk Method
I typically use the folk method when making my tinctures which you can learn more about, in depth, here.
To make mimosa tincture, all you will need are:
- Fresh mimosa blossoms
- A jar
- 80 proof Vodka
Pick the mimosa blossoms and check them for tiny bugs, caterpillars, and debris. Make sure you remove the long green stems from the blossoms before adding them to the jar.
Fill the far until full with blossoms but not tightly packed.
Next, cover the blossoms with 80 proof vodka making sure they are completely submerged. You may need to top off the jar again the next day depending on how much alcohol the flowers soak up.
Label and date the jar, then store it in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks.
Make sure to gently shake the mimosa tincture on occasion during this time to agitate the contents.
Once 4-6 weeks have passed, strain the tincture and bottle it. Make sure to label your bottles with the name of the herb, its botanical name, the date, the uses of the herb, and the dosage.
This tincture will keep indefinitely if stored in a cool dark place.
To use, take ¼ teaspoon (1 dropperful) of mimosa tincture in a little bit of water up to five times daily to help support a positive mood and mental calm.
The Weight and Volume Method
If you want to get more precise, you can make mimosa tincture by weighing out the blossoms and then using the appropriate proportion of alcohol.
To make mimosa tincture using fresh blossoms, you will need to use a 1:2 ratio of blossoms to alcohol.
For example, if you picked 1 ounce of mimosa blossoms, you would use 2 ounces of alcohol.
If you picked 4 ounces of mimosa blossoms, you would need 8 ounces of alcohol, and so on.
Use a kitchen scale to determine the weight of your blossoms, then measure out how much 80 proof vodka you would need.
Add everything to a jar and allow it to macerate for 4-6 weeks before straining and bottling.
You can use 1-2 dropperfuls of this tincture up to 3 times daily.
To make a tincture with dried mimosa blossoms using the weight and volume method, you would use a 1:5 ratio.
For example, if you used 1 ounce of dried mimosa blossoms, you would use 5 ounces of 80 proof vodka.
If you used 4 ounces of dried blossoms, you would use 20 ounces of 80 proof vodka.
Add everything to a jar and let it macerate for 4-6 weeks before straining and bottling.
You can use 1-2 dropperfuls of this tincture up to 3 times daily.
Precautions for Mimosa Flower Tincture
Do not take mimosa flower tincture if you are pregnant or are taking antidepressants.
Have you ever made or used mimosa tincture? Please share in the comments below!
You may also enjoy reading:
“Collecting Happiness” with Mimosa
Mimosa “Full Happiness” Flowers
The Magic of Mimosa: Cordial and Tincture Recipes
Pedicularis Tincture for The Side Effects of Stress
