This tincture is for a small, precise daily dose rather than a large-volume tea — a few drops taken consistently support ongoing circulatory maintenance without needing to prepare a fresh cup every day.

Preparation Type: Tincture

Ingredients

Garlic, fresh cloves, chopped: ½ cup

Hawthorn berry, dried and crushed: ¼ cup

Olive leaf, dried: 2 tablespoons

80–100 proof vodka or brandy: 2 cups

Preparation

1. Chop the fresh garlic and crush the dried hawthorn berries to increase their surface area.
2. Combine the garlic, hawthorn berries, and olive leaf in a clean glass jar.
3. Pour the alcohol over the herbs, making sure they’re fully submerged, leaving about an inch of headspace.
4. Seal the jar and macerate in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking every few days.
5. Strain through cheesecloth, pressing to recover as much liquid as possible.
6. Bottle in amber dropper bottles, labeling with the alcohol content and date.

Yield: Makes about 2 cups (approximately 45–50% alcohol by volume, depending on the proof of alcohol used)

Dosage & Usage

Take 20–30 drops (about ½ to 1 dropperful) in a small amount of water, once or twice daily, as part of a consistent daily routine.

Precautions & Contraindications

Contains alcohol — not appropriate during pregnancy, while nursing, for children, or for those avoiding alcohol for personal or medical reasons; a non-alcohol glycerite or store-bought alcohol-free alternative may be substituted for these situations. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if taking blood-thinning medication, as garlic and hawthorn may both affect bleeding risk. Garlic may cause gastrointestinal disturbance in sensitive individuals. Consult a healthcare practitioner before use if taking blood pressure medication or cardiac glycosides.

This tincture targets daily circulatory maintenance through a concentrated, low-volume dose rather than a large daily tea. Garlic and hawthorn are both traditionally taken this way — as a small, precise daily amount — for ongoing circulatory support. Olive leaf is included for its traditional role as a bitter, astringent herb long used in herbal practices to support cardiovascular wellness.

Garlic — traditionally used to support a healthy vascular system.

Hawthorn berry — traditionally praised for its heart-elevating properties and support for healthy circulation.

Olive leaf — traditionally employed for its wellness-supporting properties in herbal practice.

• Allicin and other organosulfur compounds — traditionally associated with garlic’s cardiovascular-supportive reputation (garlic).
• Flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidins — traditionally associated with hawthorn’s heart-supportive reputation (hawthorn berry).
• Oleuropein and other polyphenols — traditionally associated with olive leaf’s antioxidant, wellness-supporting reputation (olive leaf).

Blood Pressure Support (Herb Pharm) — a liquid herbal extract built around hawthorn and olive leaf for cardiovascular and circulatory support, taken as a small daily dose; note this formula does not include garlic.

Variations & Substitutions

Prefer an alcohol-free version? Substitute food-grade vegetable glycerin for the alcohol and extend the maceration to 4–6 weeks (glycerites extract more slowly than alcohol). No olive leaf on hand? Linden flower makes a gentler, milder substitute.

Storage & Shelf Life

Store the finished tincture in amber glass bottles away from heat and sunlight. Properly prepared alcohol tinctures often remain stable for 1–2+ years.

FAQ

Why fresh garlic instead of dried?
Fresh garlic retains more of its characteristic sulfur compounds, which are diminished by drying — this matters for a tincture meant to capture garlic’s traditional properties.

How do I know the tincture is ready?
After 4–6 weeks of maceration; the liquid should be deeply colored and strongly aromatic. Taste along the way if you’d like to track the extraction.

Can I take this alongside my regular multivitamin?
Generally yes, but check with a healthcare provider about any specific interactions with medications you’re taking, particularly blood thinners or blood pressure medication.

References

Garlic: Usefulness and Safety — NCCIH

Hawthorn: Usefulness and Safety — NCCIH

Olive Leaf Organic — Mountain Rose Herbs

Herb-Drug Interactions — NCCIH

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal preparations, particularly if pregnant, nursing, or taking medications, and especially if you take blood pressure or heart medication.