An introduction to Herbal Tinctures

Description

WHAT ARE HERBAL TINCTURES?

Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid herbal extracts prepared by soaking fresh or dried herbs, flowers, roots, leaves, berries, or bark from one or more plants in a combination of a solvent and water. The liquid used is known as the menstruum, and it draws out the active compounds and medicinal properties of the plant material.

The infused liquid is separated from the plant components and is filtered to remove any remaining plant particles. The plants are usually composted, and the remaining liquid is now referred to as a herbal tincture. Tinctures are taken orally to relieve a wide range of health issues, or as a proactive way to support specific elements of one’s well-being. Tincture may also be applied directly to the skin and incorporated into lotions for a variety of purposes, including aches and pains, bruises, spider veins, varicose veins, and other skin diseases such as eczema or fungal or bacterial infections. Tincture may also be diluted and used as a mouthwash to improve breath and to soothe mouth infections. 

WHY WE PREFER ALCOHOL TINCTURES

Some herbs will not give up their medicinal properties to a solvent less potent than alcohol. Alcohol-based tinctures are safe for use by children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women, since the amount of alcohol ingested per dose is the equivalent of eating a very ripe banana.

Alcohol has been used as a solvent in herbal tinctures for centuries. It remains popular today for its fast-acting properties, its potency, and its ability to preserve the shelf-life of tinctures. Given that only a very small amount of alcohol is consumed when we use a herbal tincture, it remains a very safe and effective way of delivering our favorite herbal remedies.

• Alcohol is a powerful (and safe) solvent– Alcohol is an excellent solvent for herbs, because it can extract the compounds and active ingredients that aren’t water-soluble, such as essential oils, alkaloids and resins. It is also the only natural, organically available solvent that can effectively extract some herbs, such as roots, barks, berries, and non-aromatic seeds. Extracting with a less-powerful liquid will only result in a less-effective product
• The body can absorb alcohol quickly– Alcohol-based tinctures are extremely fast-acting, because alcohol can enter our bloodstream very quickly. Our tongue and cheeks contain lots of capillaries which quickly absorb the alcohol. This means that when we place some drops under our tongue, we’re not actually digesting the extract. Rather, it’s entering our bloodstream almost immediately to deliver the tincture’s potent properties.
• Alcohol is a preservative– Alcohol gives herbal extracts a longer shelf-life – in most cases at least five years. Or think of an aged Whiskey.
• Alcohol allows us to create potent tinctures– Alcohol-based tinctures are also highly potent and concentrated, meaning only a very small dose is required to reap the benefits. In fact, everyday food items such as an overripe banana and fermented fruit and vegetables contain approximately the same amount of alcohol as a single dose of a liquid extract. 

HOW SHOULD TINCTURE BE STORED?

Clear glass is not recommended as it does not reflect the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun and can diminish the effectiveness of the tincture. Plastic is to be avoided as the tincture solvent can draw out the impurities from the plastic in the same fashion it does the herbs. Tincture left in plastic has a distinct artificial taste and the shelf-life is diminished significantly.

Alcohol-based tinctures are the easiest to store, as the alcohol acts as a highly effective preservative. Even when a dark, glass bottle is used, it is still recommended to keep them in a dark location; such as a bathroom or kitchen cupboard, to ensure the product quality lasts as long as possible. 

It’s critical to keep any non-alcohol tinctures in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat and light. Tincture should not be kept over a stove or near a heat source because this might damage the herbs’ quality. Mold can also grow under certain circumstances. Tinctures containing water, glycerine, vinegar, oil, honey, or syrup have some preservative qualities but not nearly as much as alcohol. This implies these types of menstruums will have a significantly shorter shelf life and be more prone to contamination. As a result, it’s critical to check your non-alcohol-based tinctures before each use to ensure they are in good condition. 

TINCTURE DOSAGE

Everyone is different, and everyone’s metabolism works differently, thus the medicinal uptake / absorption for everyone will be different. It is your responsibility to experiment and find your optimal dose. However, I will give you a guideline on how to start using these tincture. Expect results immediately, but remember, consistency is key. Use on a daily basis to achieve optimal results. 

Taking the tincture directly under the tongue and avoiding any liquids or foods for at least 15 minutes afterwards provides the best results.

Tinctures are usually taken by the dropperful (also known as a squeeze). A dropperful is the amount of liquid that fills the glass tube of the dropper when the bulb on the dropper top is squeezed and released. The liquid may fill the glass tube only a small portion of the way, but that is considered a “dropperful”. A dropperful equals approximately 15 to 20 drops.

On all dropper tops, no matter how large or small of a tincture bottle it comes with, the bulb (the thing you squeeze) is the same size on them all. The bulb is what determines how much liquid fills the tube, not the length of the tube itself.

A standard suggested adult dosage for tinctures is 2 droppersful two to three times a day.

HOW TO GET TINCTURES DOWN

The high alcohol content coupled with the bitter flavors of the plants can make taking tinctures a bit difficult until you get used to it.

• Directly under your tongue- This method allows the fastest effect as the make-up of tinctures makes them absorb quickly into the bloodstream without having to digest them first.
• In a small amount of water- combine the dose with a small amount of water and taking it down quickly.
• In hot water or tea- Many people find tinctures more palatable in tea, as the hot water will “burn off” the alcohol content without disturbing the medicinal quality.
• Add honey or lemon- Adding things like honey for taste will not alter a tinctures effectiveness. Remember: No honey for children under 1 year of age.

MORE IS NOT BETTER

Because the use of tinctures does not require a prescription, and because they are plant-based, there is a tendency for people to believe that you can “up” the dosage. Tinctures come with suggested dosages (a dropperful, or 15 to 20 drops, 2-3 times a day, for most), and if you have any concerns or questions about what amount is best for you, seek out the advise of a trained professional. Moderation is the key to avoiding side effects.

DOES HERBAL TINCTURE TASTE BAD?

This question depends on who you ask.

Some people report one downside to taking tincture is they do not taste good, while other people love the taste and crave it as part of their morning routine.

Depending on the plant being used, tinctures can be intensely bitter and have an earthy taste. The reason why tinctures taste as they do, is the same reason why they are so effective. These antioxidant-rich phytochemicals include polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, anthocyanidins, phytoestrogens, terpenoids, carotenoids, limonoids, phytosterols, glucosinolates, and fibers, as well as alkaloids, vitamins, and minerals. Tinctures extract and highly concentrate these phytochemicals into a potent liquid form that is easily absorbed. They are strong and this is why they are powerful forms of medicine.

If the bitter taste is off-putting, herbalists, naturopathic doctors, and naturopaths recommend diluting the tincture in a few ounces of water. Water is absorbed immediately into the bloodstream with the tincture and has no impact on the absorption rate of the tincture. Some individuals report taking tincture undiluted with water increases the absorption speed and the effects are noticed more quickly; however, we have not found any scholarly articles to substantiate this claim.

What can be substantiated, is millions of people love the antioxidant goodness of the phytochemicals extracted through tinctures.

 

DISCLAIMER: Grownmedz assumes no liability for any personal interpretation of this content. While there are many scientific, peer-reviewed studies proving the effectiveness of herbal remedies, readers who fail to consult their physicians prior to the purchase and subsequent use of any product, assume the risk of any adverse effects to taking herbs.