Tinctures are potent herbal extracts derived from plants with medicinal value. Their first historical documentation of tinctures traces to Egypt in 1000AD following the discovery of alcohol distillation which allowed them to use the distillate to preserve plant medicine.
Thanks to the holistic medicine and herbal remedies movement, the current demand for broad spectrum tinctures is higher than ever. However, questions about these elixirs and their uses, efficacy, dosage considerations, and safety abound despite their surging popularity. If you are curious about tinctures, this post has you covered; discover crucial facts about tinctures that you should know.
1. Tincture Menstruum (Extraction Solvent) Affects Its Properties
Alcohol is a primary ingredient in tincture production. The process entails soaking fresh or dried herbal parts like leaves, roots, bark, fruits, and flowers, rich in beneficial compounds in an alcohol solution.
Any distilled food-grade alcohol is ideal for steeping the herbal plant matter and pulling the much-coveted health-inducing compounds. Alcohol is suitable as a solvent extract in tincture production because it breaks down plant cell walls, releasing acting ingredients. Alcohol also features antibacterial properties that prevent harmful microbes from growing in the steeping solution, as the extraction process can take up to four weeks.
The active ingredients or constituents pulled from herbal plant matter using alcohol include alkaloids, cannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins, and minerals. Alcohol can effectively pull water-soluble and fat-soluble constituents, while its antimicrobial property lends tincture extracts their shelf life.
While alcohol is the oldest and most commonly used menstruum in making tinctures, glycerine, vinegar, honey, and oil are also effective. However, the term tincture specifically denotes herbal extracts derived using alcohol. Herbal extracts obtained using alternatives bear the menstruum’s name. For instance, herbal extracts steeped in glycerine are called glycerites. Glycerine is a fantastic menstruum for extracting aromatic components in an herb, particularly from leaves and flowers.
Glycerine lends its sweet taste to glycerites, making them ideal for use by children and people averse to tinctures’ bitter taste. Glycerides are also a fantastic option for people with a history of alcohol dependency.
Alcohol use is widespread because it does a better job steeping challenging plant matter like bark and roots. Besides, alcohol tinctures have a longer shelf life of approximately seven years compared to glycerites’ two-year shelf life.
Vinegar also works well as a menstruum to steep herbal vinegar. It is ideal for pulling nutritional components, particularly vitamins and minerals from plant matter, but does little for other constituents. Herbal kinds of vinegar have a six-month shelf life and are ideal for supplementing nutritional intake.
With this in mind, consider the herbal extract’s menstruum before purchasing any tincture.
2. Tinctures Also Serve Cosmetic Purposes
While tinctures are famous for their holistic therapeutic benefits, many consumers use them for medical relief. Fans of herbal remedies and those who practice Ayurveda and aromatherapy use tinctures to alleviate physical and psychological health symptoms.
Physical appearance constitutes a vital part of the human condition, particularly self-esteem. While self-worth begins in your mind, your vision of self affects your behavior, which in turn affects your overall health. Taking care of your body aesthetically is not being vain but a form of self-care that contributes to your wellbeing.
Statistics show that the global herbal beauty and organic cosmetics market was worth $34.5 billion in 2018 and predict a $20 billion growth by 2027. The herbal tincture industry forecast statistics predict a 5.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) propelled by the cosmetic industry.
The inclination toward tinctures as organic skincare products is propelled by supreme quality, zero likelihood of undesirable reactions and side effects, and sustainable production processes. Tinctures feature anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties and can help counter nuisances like dry skin and uneven skin tone.
They are also potent enough to treat skin conditions like eczema, acne, and rashes by countering hormonal imbalances that cause skin flare-ups. Besides ingestion and sublingual administration, you can use cosmetic tinctures as a base for your makeup, a night serum, or infuse it in bathwater.
3. CBD is Not The Only Herbal Tincture
The discovery of cannabidiol (CBD) and the research supporting its numerous health benefits puts it at the helm of the herbal extract market. Consumers use CBD tinctures to relieve anxiety and depression symptoms, manage chronic pain, induce sleep, and increase neuroprotection.
While CBD tinctures’ benefits hold, the tincture market has plenty more herbal ingredients offering therapeutic relief. They include ashwagandha, lemon balm, valerian root, and passionflower herbal tinctures ideal for inducing rest and promoting restful sleep.
Chamomile, neem, and moringa are perfect for healthy skin, while ginkgo Biloba, rosemary, and ginseng improve cognitive functions like memory and focus. Various herbal tinctures have overlapping uses, and some products may feature a combination of herbs. Therefore, it’s worth knowing different herbal tinctures’ typical characteristics and exploring to reap the most from nature’s gifts.
4. Tincture Dosage Considerations
The FDA categorizes tinctures as dietary supplements; hence it does not regulate factors like dosage and ingredient dose per bottle. Physiological factors like body size and composition, age, gender, and overall health influence ideal individual tincture doses.
But it’s important to know that tinctures are more potent than glycerides, and the menstruum used in deriving the herbal extract matters. Different herbs also have varying potencies and require unique doses; while herbal remedies are safe, potent doses may prove toxic.
There is no standard tincture dose and frequency, so adhering to recommended daily doses or starting low and going slow is prudent.
5. Tincture Safety Factor
While preferred for their natural state, tinctures are not without risks and may have the following side effects.
- Allergic reactions
- Gastronomical issues
- Medical interaction
- Tincture burns and ulcers along the airway
- Blood sugar and blood pressure drop- dangerous for diabetics and cardiac patients
- Hormonal imbalance, particularly estrogenic effect- aggravates cancer in women.
Therefore, consult a doctor before taking any tincture or administering it to vulnerable populations like children, expectant mothers, and patients with chronic illnesses.
Conclusion
Humankind has benefited from nature’s herbal healing remedies, including tinctures, for millennia. This guide provides you with crucial information about tinctures to keep in mind. Nevertheless, it is prudent to research a tincture’s purported health benefits to avoid consuming glorified elixirs.
