What is an Herbal Tincture?
These beautiful concoctions are medicinal herbs and flowers infusing in a particular solvent depending on the purpose of the extract.
Extract or Tincture?
All tinctures are extracts; but not all extracts are tinctures...
Many years ago, when I first heard of herbal tinctures, I was a bit leery, to say the least. I had heard of herbs used in teas, poultices, capsules, etc., but I had not experienced an herbal tincture. Once I began playing around with making tinctures for myself and family, I was hooked! They are beautiful! They are fun to create! And best of all, they work!
In a nutshell, a tincture is simply a liquid-based extract of a particular herb or blend of herbs generally used for medicinal, supplement, or health purposes.
How Do You Make a Tincture?
I prefer to use freshly dried herbs in a ratio of 1 part herb to 2 or 3 parts solvent (liquid). There are a few different solvents you can use to create a tincture, including vinegar, alcohol, or glycerin. My favorite solvent is a strong alcohol, with a minimum proof of 80% (which is 40% alcohol and 60% purified water). Simple vodka is my favorite.
You just sterilize a glass jar and dry it very well. You do not want any water or excess moisture that is not from the alcohol to be included in the mix. Add your herbs. Then pour your chosen solvent over the top, leaving about an inch at the top. As the herbs soak up the solvent, you may need to add a little more.
I use the solar infusion method--which means that I use the sun to help the herbs give up as much of the constituents into the solvent as possible. My jars are kept in a sunny window. You need to shake your jars daily, and I enjoy sending joyful happy vibes to them as I shake, shake, shake! Then you just let the solvent do its work over a period of between six-ish weeks to sometimes three or more months!
During this extraction process, I give my tinctures a great deal of attention to maintain quality and ensure that the herbs are completely macerated. I have found that there is a different "window" for each herb in which the constituents of the herb are completely extracted.
How Do You Use a Tincture?
One of the best things about tinctures is how easy they are to use! You just drop the amount you need under your tongue (I like to hold it there for a few seconds, as it will actually go to work right through the membranes in your mouth), then swallow it!
The amount you take is VERY small---generally between one and three full droppers. Three full droppers from a standard dropper yields about 1/2 teaspoon of liquid. So for people who are concerned about the alcohol content, the amount is so small as to be fairly inconsequential. I know of an RN who states that even giving tinctures to children is not a problem and is less alcohol than some over the counter medicines.
NOTE: Tinctures can be quite strong! Therefore, many people prefer diluting them in a small glass of water or tea. This does not affect how they work.
Some tinctures can also be used as a liniment (or topically) on the skin for irritations and minor wounds. When my cat had a skin problem, for example, I dropped a few drops of Goldenseal tincture on the affected area, then used some Goldenseal & Myrrh salve. This worked amazingly fast and well.
The amount of tincture you should take depends on a number of factors, including the strength of the tincture, the size of the person using it, and the herb itself.
**You should definitely discuss the use of herbal tinctures with an herbalist. Also (and this is VERY important), if you are taking any medications or trying to solve a medical problem, I highly recommend that you discuss the use of herbs with a medical doctor. Some herbs can interact with certain medications, and you should always err on the side of safety.
Why You Should Choose a Tincture Over Capsules or Teas
Although there are many reasons to choose using tinctures, I know that they are more powerful than your typical herb in a capsule. Here's why: Powdered herbs have had most of their surface area exposed to the air, causing oxidation. Oxidation causes the herb to lose its strength. Just like a apple that has been cut open turns brown quickly, herbs exposed to air for long periods turn more quickly too.
Another problem with herbal capsules is that if they are purchased from a store, you have no idea how long they have been stored. From the manufacturing plant, to the middle man, and finally to the shelf, where they may sit for months, the total time could be years!
Here is another reason why using a tincture is possibly better and safer---- Did you know that testers have discovered that herbal capsules purchased in stores may be "cut" with other herbs or fillers? Or the herb you think you are buying is not actually that herb at all? Buyer Beware is definitely to be lived by when purchasing any type of herb. Herbs are not regulated the same way as prescription or over the counter drugs. So it is to your everlasting benefit to find a good herbalist who you trust. You can find herbalists online and possibly even in your home town.
Here are a Few More Reasons to Use Tinctures:
Tinctures with alcohol as a solvent can last several years! Some have even been found to still be useful and good after a decade of storage! The average shelf life is around 5 years.
Tinctures are very easily used by the body.
Tinctures are convenient! Just squirt and swallow!
And best of all, tinctures provide a more potent amount of medicinal power than capsules, powders, or dried herbs (teas).
Cold Creek Naturals Tinctures:
I create my tinctures by hand in very small batches. The quality of my tinctures is exceptional! I use only organically grown or ethically wild-harvested herbs. I also grow or wild-harvest quite of few of the herbs I use, and therefore, I can ensure their quality. For the herbs I wild-harvest, I hike far off the beaten path to find plants that have not been exposed to vehicles or any type of chemicals in areas that are pure and safe.
Herbs are AWESOME! I hope you will try out a tincture if you have not done so before. They are fairly inexpensive, last a LONG time, and best of all, they work!
Here is Vitex Tincture----I use this beginning about a week and a half before my period begins up through the first couple of days. It normalizes hormones, and since I have been taking it, NO more PMS! :-) And that makes everybody happy! :-)
Here is a link to my shop, where you can take a look at the tinctures I offer. If you want a tincture that I do not have online, it is very possible I have it. And if I do not, I can probably make it especially for you!
Disclaimer: The information in this article, elsewhere on my blog, in my shop sites, in conversations, and on labels is for informational purposes only and not meant to cure, treat, diagnose, or prevent any medical condition. Please see a medical professional for concerns. I simply provide my own personal advice based on experience and study for ways to live a healthy and natural way of life. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
