Name: Herbal Calm Heart Tincture
Prep time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp linden; 2 tbsp hawthorn; 2 tbsp yarrow; 2 tbsp hibiscus; 1 cup 80–100 proof vodka or brandy

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If you’re looking for a gentle herbal blend to support your heart and help you unwind, this is one of my favorite tinctures to keep on hand. Made with calming and circulation-loving herbs like linden, hawthorn, yarrow, and hibiscus, this blend can help calm the heart (and the blood pressure).

final heart tincture with spent herbs in mason jar in the background

Whether you’re navigating a stressful season or just want to show your cardiovascular system a little extra love, this herbal tincture is a great ally—and it’s incredibly easy to make at home.

What This Tincture Is For

This isn’t a medical treatment or a magic cure. It’s a daily support blend made with herbs traditionally used for:

Calming the nervous system (linden)
Supporting healthy blood pressure and heart tone (hawthorn + yarrow)
Cooling and nourishing the body (hibiscus)
Easing mild tension and stress (all of the above!)

I like to think of it as an herbal “reset” button—especially helpful during high-stress weeks or seasonal transitions.

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Let’s Talk About the Herbs

four wood bowls with dried hawthorn, linden, yarrow, and hibiscus

Here’s a quick rundown of what each herb brings to the mixture:

Linden (Tilia spp.) A soothing, heart-opening herb known for calming frazzled nerves. It supports emotional balance and has traditionally been used to help ease tension.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) Known as a “heart tonic,” hawthorn supports the cardiovascular system. It’s used in both Western herbalism and folk traditions for blood pressure and heart rhythm balance.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Yarrow helps move blood and support circulation. It also has a balancing effect—traditionally used for both high and low blood pressure situations.
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Bright and tangy, hibiscus helps cool the body and support heart health. It’s rich in antioxidants and gives this tincture a gorgeous deep ruby color.

How to Make the Herbal Calm Heart Tincture

You’ll Need:

1 part dried linden
1 part dried hawthorn berries (or leaf + flower)
1 part dried yarrow
1 part dried hibiscus
80–100 proof vodka or brandy* to cover
A pint-size mason jar with lid
A label + permanent marker
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
A clean dropper bottle for storage

A note on alcohol: I like to use 80–100 proof vodka because it strikes the right balance between extracting the good stuff and keeping it shelf-stable. I don’t recommend straight Everclear (see this post for why).

Instructions:

Add your dried herbs to a clean mason jar in equal parts.
Pour in alcohol until herbs are completely covered, with about an inch of alcohol above the herb line.
Stir with a clean utensil, then seal the lid tightly.
Label with the date and contents.
Let steep in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks. Shake the jar every few days.
Strain through cheesecloth or a fine strainer into a clean bowl.
Transfer tincture into a dropper bottle for easy use.

pouring herbs into mason jar — Add Herbs to Jar

pouring alcohol to cover herbs — Add Herbs to Jar

How to Use It

This is a gentle daily tonic, not a quick-fix remedy.

Start with 1–2 droppers full (about 30–60 drops) twice a day. Add it to water, tea, juice, or take it directly under the tongue.

As always, consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider if you’re on medication or managing chronic conditions.

FAQs About The Calm Heart Tincture

You can, but dried herbs are usually the better choice for tinctures. Fresh herbs contain more water, which can dilute the alcohol and increase the risk of spoilage or mold. If you want to use fresh herbs, make sure they’re wilted first to remove excess moisture, and use a higher-proof alcohol (at least 100 proof) to help preserve the tincture safely.

If stored in a cool, dark place in a tightly sealed glass jar or dropper bottle, your tincture can last several years. I aim to use mine within 1–2 years for best potency, but properly made alcohol tinctures are very shelf-stable.

This is an alcohol-based tincture, so it’s generally not recommended for young kids. You could make a glycerite version if needed, or look into herbal teas made with similar ingredients for children. In general, I like to use single herbs with kids instead of a mixture until you know how they react to each herb.

Homemade tinctures are such an empowering way to care for yourself using what nature has already provided. This calm heart tincture is great for slowing down and reconnecting with your body during busy or overwhelming seasons.

Let me know in the comments or over on Instagram @brittanylgibson if you end up making this blend. I’d love to hear how it fits into your own herbal rhythm.

Pin it for Later!

A close-up of a filtration process for a herbal tincture made with ingredients such as linden, hawthorn, yarrow, and hibiscus, aimed at calming the nervous system and supporting blood pressure.

Medical disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and I am not claiming that these herbs are a substitute for professional care. Always consult a professional for medical advice when starting natural remedies at home. These are just things that I use and love in my own home.

Brittany wearing a big hat. At the kitchen table working with herbs and potted plants

About the Author

Brittany Gibson is a modern suburban homesteader and the founder of The Homestead Challenge. She empowers women to adopt a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle, feeling confident to grow, create, and thrive on their own terms with joy and balance.

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