To prepare an herbal tincture you only need herbs (dried or fresh) and alcohol. We show you how to do it, what these liquid extracts, widely used in natural medicine, are and what they are for.
Herbal tinctures, often considered supplements , are herbal extracts that can be made with a small number of ingredients. In general, you need some herb, either fresh or dried, and food alcohol . The latter is in charge of extracting the active ingredients from the plants, so that they are concentrated as a liquid.
According to a study published in The Novartis Foundation Series , some plants may have medicinal and health-promoting properties, which has made liquid extracts such as tinctures around for millennia and central to traditional medicine. We show you everything you need to know about it.
Contents
How are they different from essential oil?
Although both herbal tinctures and essential oils are used as home remedies for some illnesses, there are unspoken differences between the two .
1. Its elaboration
The method for making a tincture consists of macerating the plant or some of its parts in a high volume of food-grade alcohol for several weeks. Over time, the alcohol absorbs the medicinal properties of the plant, its flavor and even its smell, as in the case of the vanilla used for desserts.
For its part, the extraction of an essential oil can be achieved through various techniques, such as steam distillation, pressing, friction and, if done by maceration, with vegetable oil . These processes also preserve the active principles of medicinal plants.
2. Its use
Due to its components, the tincture is harmless when ingested. This liquid extract is characterized by its bitter taste. For this reason, it is not swallowed lightly, but with the help of a dropper or small syringe. The oral route makes possible the rapid absorption of the properties of the tincture through the bloodstream.
In this way, the liquid is placed under the tongue, leaving it there for a few seconds and then being swallowed. It is recommended to rinse the mouth after this. You can also add it to your food . The precise dose to take will depend on several factors, such as age, concentration of the extract and weight.
Because essential oil particles easily reach the airways, they are usually inhaled and thus enter the bloodstream. The speed and effectiveness will depend on the intensity with which the fragrances of the oil are inhaled or the oxygen saturation in the body.
Now, if what you are looking for is to give yourself a massage, you should consider that good quality essential oils have a very high concentration level, so they should be diluted with vegetable oil when used topically. It is not recommended to ingest them, since they can be toxic.
What are herbal tinctures used for?
Herbal tinctures have turned out to be very versatile, thanks to the fact that there are multiple plants that can be subjected to the maceration process . The benefits will depend on the properties of each one. They are used in culinary fields (flavoring for desserts or drinks) or with exclusive medicinal use.
Some ideas to try:
If you are looking to take advantage of the properties of medicinal plants through tinctures, but you are new to this matter, try using extracts from known plants. Pay attention to the symptoms that you present after ingesting this natural remedy.
According to studies, the most common plants that are used for tinctures and could be beneficial for health are the following:
Garlic root : According to an analysis , garlic is efficient in lowering bad cholesterol and total cholesterol when used for more than two months. However, more research is still needed to support such a hypothesis.
Chamomile flower : It is used to reduce inflammation, calm anxiety and heal wounds, according to a study published in Molecular Medicine Reports .
Valerian root – Although there are no conclusive studies , it is believed that valerian may help you fall asleep.
Ginger Root – Research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology suggests that it decreases nausea and vomiting that occur during pregnancy.
Feverfew Leaf – People have long used feverfew to bring down fever. There is also a popular belief that the plant is used to treat arthritis and prevent migraines , however, there are no conclusive studies that can confirm such a hypothesis. There is research that does suggest it might have potential for treating pain and rosacea .
St. John’s wort flower or leaf : Has potential to treat symptoms of depression, according to research .
Gingko leaf : A review of studies suggests that this plant may prevent dementia and stimulate brain function, but conclusive results are still lacking.
Ginseng root – According to research , ginseng may treat diabetes as an adjuvant.
How are herbal tinctures made?
The first thing you should know is that the use of liquor as a solvent is necessary , since with it resins and alkaloids are extracted from plants that are not soluble in water. Neutral vodka is usually used; in this way the original flavor of the herb is preserved.
Some people use vinegar, glycerin, or water to steep, but the result is an extract, not a tincture. While it is true that tinctures are extracts, not all extracts become tinctures. This is due to the type of solvent used. Let’s see how to make them at home.
Ingredients
Glass jar with airtight lid, sterilized.
Any useful part of the herb of your choice (fresh or dried fruits, roots, flowers, bark or leaves). Wash them and chop them. Keep in mind that quality tinctures use fresh herbs.
Alcohol from 40 to 70 degrees or apple cider vinegar. The result will depend on your choice: tincture or extract.
Parchment paper to cover the opening of the jar.
Funnel and gauze.
Preparation
Fill the glass jar with the herbs of your choice until it covers 3/4 parts. Follow this order: fill half the jar with leaves, dried roots, bark, and berries of the same herb, then cover the remaining part, leaving 1/4 of the container, using more dried roots, bark, or berries and excluding the leaves.
At this point, pour the alcohol over the herbs until you reach the rim of the jar . Remember to cover them completely.
Now cover the opening of the jar with the parchment to close it with its respective lid.
Let it macerate for 8 weeks in a cool, dark place. Shake from time to time.
After the time has elapsed, strain the tincture using a funnel covered with cheesecloth.
Discharge the herbs and conserve the liquid.
Identify your bottle with information about the tincture: name of the herb, whether the plant was fresh or dehydrated, the type of solvent and the date it was made.
There are those who mix herbs to make tinctures, but this is something to be very careful about, because some parts become toxic when ingested or applied. For this reason, it is recommended to be well informed about which parts you should use for your preparation before making your homemade tincture.
Contraindications and recommendations of herbal tinctures
Being an herbal remedy does not imply that the use of herbal tinctures does not cause negative side effects. However, when contrasted with some drugs, they turn out to be tolerable. Some considerations that you should take into account are the following:
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has no control over the production of these types of alternative remedies . If this is important to you, find out if there is any type of regulation for the creation of dyes in your country.
In case of using medications prescribed by a doctor, consult with him your interest in ingesting tinctures. There may be some adverse reaction or interaction.
In some cases allergic reactions (fever, hives, inflammation) have been detected. There may also be a drop in blood pressure. Gastrointestinal problems are also not unusual, with diarrhea, heartburn, flatulence or constipation.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, these effects depend on the plant used to make the herbal tincture. Not all extracts lead to the same reactions.
Learn about herbal tinctures before using them
If you are looking to reduce the irritation that your tincture may be causing you, try ingesting it in another way . It can be through an infusion, for which you only need hot water in a cup and add two droppers full of your herbal extract.
Be careful what you buy. Some herbal tinctures are of less than acceptable purity and this is due to a lack of regulation in their manufacture. Be well informed, whether you are looking to make your tincture at home or if you are going to buy it .
It is necessary that you know the properties of the plant, its negative and positive effects and the type of solvent that was used. Keep in mind that some herbal tinctures are for topical use only.
