A Brief Guide to Tinctures
As long as humans have had distilled alcohol, we’ve had tinctures. In ancient Egypt, Persia, China, and more, people have been combining herb material and alcohol to extract the healing properties of plants for centuries. The practice of tincturing began to gain popularity in the 14th century, with the Irish and Scottish being some of the first cultures to use tinctures (information sourced from a great post by Wilderland Botanicals). Though tinctures have a long history, many of us who have grown up with Western medicine are unfamiliar with them (unless you’re in a state where you can partake of legal cannabis; tinctures are a popular and efficient form of dosing).
Tinctures are a way to get a high potency dose of herbal benefits quickly. In fact, some properties of certain herbs can only be extracted via maceration. Maceration is the process of soaking herb or plant material in a base or “menstruum” (alcohol, oil, or glycerin) to extract active ingredients that aren’t water soluble, such as alkaloids. For tinctures, alcohol is the traditional choice, but glycerin can be used for those who cannot consume alcohol. Vodka and brandy are two common alcohols used in maceration. (Note: in the vast majority of cases, tinctures are not meant for kiddos). While I personally can enjoy several big cups of tea a day, a few drops of tincture are often easier to consume, especially if you’re not feeling well.
How to dose tinctures
The herbalist or shop you purchase a tincture from should include information on how much to take. This is typically 1-2 “dropperfuls” once or twice a day (be sure to check the label, there are exceptions!). You can put those droppers right into your water bottle or tea mug and sip away. When diluted in water, I find tinctures add a nice, subtle herb flavor. You can also put the droppers right into your mouth, but fair warning: many tinctures don’t taste pleasant. Considering they’re a strong alcohol base with a highly concentrated form of herbs, you’ll likely get a spicy, tangy, bitter flavor. However, if that doesn’t bother you, feel free!
It’s important to understand the herbs included in a tincture. Be sure they are not from a plant family you’re allergic to, and check the label for comments about long term usage. For example, our LAGUZ tincture contains usnea. While a very potent and valuable ally, usnea should not be consumed in large amounts for a long time.
Tips for getting the most of your tincture
Take the opportunity to make your tincture dosing a daily ritual for yourself. Choose a mug or water bottle you love, and set an intention for your day as you prepare your dose. Notice the scent of the tincture or your beverages while taking a few deep breaths. See if you can name details of the flavors that come through the tincture. Spend a few minutes reading, journaling, etc. while you enjoy your drink and tincture.
Avoid combining tinctures. This is for a few reasons. First, just like pharmaceuticals, some herbs can interact with each other, and combining high-potency doses makes this more likely. Second, focusing on one tincture at a time can help you assess the benefits and results. If you’re only taking one, and noticing positive changes, you can better correlate those results to the tincture.
Don’t forget gratitude. Feeling grateful has been shown to have health and mental wellness benefits for us. Taking a moment to express gratitude to the plants within the tincture and the benefits they offer to you is a great way to ground yourself and feel more connected day to day.
