Lemon balm's a great suggestion—it's subtle enough to smooth things out without overpowering. Mint can sometimes feel a bit sharp, especially if you're sensitive to strong flavors. Another gentle option could be chamomile; it's mellow and soothing, which might help tone down any harshness. Honestly though, experimenting with herbal extracts is always a bit trial-and-error...don't get discouraged if one batch goes off track. Happens to everyone at some point!
Totally agree about chamomile, it's a lifesaver if things get a bit intense. I've definitely had my share of herbal experiments go sideways—once ended up with a lavender tincture that smelled more like soap than soothing herbs, haha. Diluting it down and combining with something mellow (like chamomile or even a touch of honey) usually helps smooth things out. Don't worry if it doesn't come out perfect right away... honestly, half the fun is figuring out what works best for you.
Lavender tincture smelling like soap... been there, haha. If you're on a budget and don't wanna waste it, I've found mixing in a bit of vanilla extract or even orange peel can tone down that soapy scent nicely. Also, letting it sit for a few extra days sometimes mellows things out naturally. Don't stress too much though—trial and error is part of the herbal journey, and you'll probably stumble onto something unexpectedly great along the way.
I've never tried vanilla extract, but the orange peel thing sounds interesting. Does that actually neutralize the smell or just cover it up temporarily? I'm kinda worried about mixing too many scents and ending up with something even weirder, lol. Also, does the type of alcohol used in tinctures make a big difference? I went with vodka since it was cheap and easy, but maybe that's why mine smells off...?
I've tried the orange peel trick before, and honestly, it mostly just masked the smell temporarily for me. It didn't really neutralize anything long-term. I get what you mean about mixing too many scents—once I tried adding lavender to a tincture that already smelled kinda funky, and it ended up smelling like weird floral vodka... not exactly what I was going for, lol.
About the alcohol, vodka usually works fine since it's neutral, but I've noticed cheaper brands sometimes have a harsher smell. Did you use a really cheap one? I switched to a mid-range vodka (nothing fancy, just slightly better quality) and it made a noticeable difference. Also, how long did you let it sit? Sometimes tinctures smell off at first but mellow out after a few weeks. Maybe give it a bit more time before trying to fix it?
