Step 1

With fresh leaf: Wash and remove fresh leaves from the stem. Pick through and remove any brown or wilted ones. Coarsely chop the fresh leaves into smaller pieces before placing them in a clean glass jar.

Step 2

With dry leaf: Crumble the dry leaves into.a clean glass jar by rubbing them between your fingertips and thumb.

Step 3

Cover contents completely with alcohol. Place the lid on and secure tightly.

Step 4

Shake the jar and leave on the counter, out of direct sunlight, for 24-36 hours. Shake occasionally. DO NOT leave the extract to sit for longer than 36 hours.

Step 5

Strain the leaves out through a fine mesh cheesecloth, nut milk bag, or coffee filter. Squeeze to remove all liquid.

Step 6

Pour the extract into a small saucepan and very gently heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring often. DO NOT BOIL. Heat just enough so the alcohol evaporates off and liquid reduces in volume.

Step 7

Let cool and store in the fridge in a small glass bottle, preferably with a tincture dropper.