Definition
Tinctures are an easy way of including healing herbs in your diet. They're a fast acting form of herbal medicine that are highly shelf stable and last for years. Some can be used to target specific issues while others can be used on an everyday basis.
They are made by soaking medicinal herbs in a menstruum (which can be alcohol, vegetable glycerin, or oil) which pulls out the active ingredients within the plant. This creates a concentrated liquid with all the healing qualities of the herbs that were used.
Benefits
- Tinctures make the most of the healing qualities of a plant: With tinctures, we can get the benefits of all healing parts of a plant (the roots, leaves, flowers, berries and barks) whereas with teas, the leaves and flowers must be prepared separately from the roots, berries and barks.
- Highly bioavailable: You would have to drink five to six cups of well-steeped tea to equal the same dose as a few droppers of a tincture.
- Fast acting: Tinctures bypass the digestive system by getting medicinal compounds straight into your bloodstream through the mucus glands in your mouth.Tinctures are quickly absorbed, easy on your digestion system, and depending on the formulation, can start to work within minutes
- Easy to include in your lifestyle: Tinctures usually can be carried around in small (usually fight-friendly) bottles that are easy to keep on your work desk, pantry, handbag or bedside. Anytime you need herbal support, tinctures can be your rescue.
Editor’s note: The above story is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified health professional, so be sure to talk with your doctor before self-prescribing herbal supplements.
