Unleash the health secrets of your garden: Create a delightful lilac tincture

Often mistakenly referred to simply as "lilac," the plant is in fact a shrub or small tree from the olive family, accurately known as the common lilac. Regardless of terminology, its properties are exceptional, as it contains syringin (phenol alcohol), which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiparasitic, neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiseptic, and diuretic effects. It also safeguards the liver and fortifies the digestive system.

This implies that a tincture crafted from lilac will provide support to joints and muscles, ease various digestive ailments, and soothe neuralgia, colds, headaches, as well as issues with the upper respiratory tract and bladder.

Here are the ingredients you'll need to prepare a lilac tincture:

3 clusters of ripe lilac flowers (common lilac blooms in May, and they're usually pruned in June. There's no rush!)

About 6.3 fluid ounces of spirits,

About 8.4 fluid ounces of water (or slightly more),

About 8.4 fluid ounces of sugar,

And, of course, lemon or lime juice.

The process of making a lilac tincture is simple:

Wash the flowers, allow them to dry, pluck them from the branches, and ensure no insects have taken residence. Place the flowers into a large jar, add the spirit and water, then store in a cool, dry location. Shake the jar daily and after 10 days, strain the resulting liquid through a cheesecloth (ensure no flower residues remain).

If you intend to use the tincture topically, for instance, for sore joints, decant the needed portion into a separate bottle. To the remaining tincture—meant for consumption—add a mixture of water, sugar, and citrus. And voila! Store it back in a cool spot. After around three months, typically post-holiday season, your tincture will be ready to use. However, it’s worth waiting a bit longer—the more you age it, the richer and more flavorful it becomes.