Tinctures are liquid extracts made from herbs that you take orally (by mouth). They are usually extracted in alcohol, but they can also be extracted in vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar (non-alcohol). Tinctures are easy and convenient to use. Tinctures are also easier to give to children as they have to take only small amounts. Because they are taken directly under the tongue, they enter the bloodstream much more quickly and directly than by any other means. This means that the action in the body is usually quicker. Although some herbs will have an immediate effect, such as those used to help one relax, others that are more nutritive and building in nature may take several weeks of continual use before best results are seen (much like a multi-vitamin).
Tea vs. Tincture?
Some people enjoy teas and enjoy the relaxing aspects of taking a time-out to drink a cup of tea. Others may not care for tea or do not have time to brew and drink a cup of tea. For these people, a tincture is perfect. You take the drops and you are done. Tinctures are also very convenient, as nothing needs to be brewed. You can easily carry a bottle of tincture in your purse and have it available to you at all times. You can also make an instant cup of tea out of a tincture by adding two droppersful (squeezes) of tincture to a cup of warm water. Note: Two droppersful of tincture equals one 250ml cup of tea.
When you want an immediate response, such as herbs for relaxation or sleep, a tincture may give you more immediate results. For nutritive herbs that can take several weeks of use to see results, either a tea, a tincture or a capsule would be fine. It comes down to personal preference.
What is a Tincture Dropperful? How Do You Take a Tincture? Why won't the glass tube fill all the way when I squeeze the dropper top?
Tinctures are usually taken by the dropperful (also known as a squeeze). A dropperful is the amount of liquid that fills the glass tube of the dropper when the bulb on the dropper top is squeezed and released, drawing the liquid up into the glass dropper tube. The liquid may fill the glass tube only a small portion of the way, but that is considered a "dropperful". A dropperful equals approximately 30 drops.
On all dropper tops, no matter how large or small of a tincture bottle it comes with or how long the glass tube on the droppertop is, the bulb (the thing you squeeze) is the same size on them all. The bulb is what determines how much liquid fills the tube, not the length of the tube itself.
A standard suggested adult dosage for tinctures is 2 droppersful two to three times a day. For children under 12, please see our Children’s Dosage Guide for recommendations.
With this standard dosing suggestion (for adults) of two droppersful three times a day, tincture bottles typically last this long:
- 30ml tincture bottle will last about one week
- 50ml tincture bottle will last two weeks
- 100ml tincture bottle will typically last about a month.
To take a tincture, it is best to take the drops directly under the tongue. This gets the herb directly into the bloodstream. If necessary, it is fine to dilute the tincture in a small amount of water or juice. It may be flavored with lemon or honey to disguise the taste. For herbs that I don't care for, I will put the drops into a tiny bit of warm water, add some honey, stir and quickly drink. It really helps! You may also put the droppersful of tincture into a cup of warm or hot water for an instant cup of herbal tea. Heat your water first, before adding the herbs. Heating the herbs in a microwave may kill or weaken their healthful benefits. Taking the tincture directly under the tongue and avoiding any liquids or foods for at least 15 minutes afterwards provides the best results.
Are Tinctures Safe for Pregnant or Nursing Women? How About Children and Babies?
Yes, tinctures are fine for pregnant and nursing women, even the alcohol-based versions. One dose of an alcohol-based tincture has approximately the same alcohol content as eating a very ripe banana. A 30ml bottle of tincture, should one drink the entire bottle at one sitting, would be the equivalent of one drink, one glass of wine or beer. But the user is not drinking the entire thing at one sitting - they are taking drops of it at a time, spread out over the course of one week, and at this dose, the alcohol content is negligible. If you are pregnant or nursing, we invite you to see our list of Herbs to Avoid During Pregnancy and Lactation.
For babies, we recommend that nursing mothers take the tincture, which will then pass on to their babies through the breastmilk. For those who are not nursing, dilute the recommended number of drops in breastmilk or formula. The Children’s Dosage Guide outlines general dosage recommendations for children. One thing of note - babies and small children will want to suck on the dropper. Do not let them, as they could break the glass dropper by biting it.
It takes a powerful liquid such as alcohol to extract the medicinal properties from the herb. Extracting with a less-powerful liquid will only result in a less-effective product - really, a waste of your time and money.
To dissipate the alcohol: For those who prefer a non-alcohol product and there's not one available, you can put the drops of tincture into a small amount of hot water (the amount is not important, it is the heat and allowing the tincture to sit for 5-10 minutes in the hot water), and this will dissipate the alcohol content, leaving only the herb matter and water behind. (Be careful not to have your water so hot that you burn yourself.) This method will not affect the efficacy of the tincture.
What is the Shelf Life of my Tinctures? How Should I Store Tinctures? What are they made with?
Tinctures are extracted most often in alcohol because it is such a potent solvent. It also acts as an effective preservative. Alcohol-based tinctures have a virtually unlimited shelf life if stored in a cool, dark location. Refrigeration is not necessary.
Store your tinctures and all of your herbs in a cool, dark cupboard. This includes your cooking spices, which most people keep above a hot stove. Keeping them in a heated area can cause your herbs and spices to become weak and less effective more quickly. You may carry and keep tinctures in a purse or briefcase. Be sure not to leave your tinctures in a hot area for long periods of time, such as in a car, as heat can negatively impact the quality of your herbal products.
I hope this helps you understand more about tinctures. They really are nature's best remedies!
