Tincture Info

 An herbal tincture is a concentrated liquid form of one or more herbs. To make a tincture, a person must soak parts of an herb in alcohol or vinegar. Herbal tinctures may be available to purchase but they are not regulated in the United States. 

To use a tincture, fill a dropper or small syringe with the liquid and drip it into the mouth, just under the tongue. Hold the tincture in the mouth for a few seconds before swallowing.

Rinse the mouth thoroughly with water to get rid of the bitter taste. The precise dosage a person should take depends on their age, but it is best not to take more than 2 small full droppers. Do not give tinctures to children.

The soaking process extracts the active components of the herb or herbs. Alcohol is often the liquid of choice, as it can extract components, such as resins and alkaloids, that are not water-soluble.

People usually take tinctures orally by using a dropper to place the liquid under their tongue.

Depending on the types of herbs involved, tinctures can include various parts of the plant. Some of the most common parts in herbal tinctures include:

• dried leaves
• bark
• berries
• roots
• fresh leaves

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate the creation or use of herbal tinctures. A person should speak to their doctor before using a tincture, especially if they take medications.