What Are the Benefits of Tinctures?

Some tinctures come with a dropper.

Tinctures are herbal extracts that are extremely popular in folk remedies, Ayurveda, and homeopathy. Read more about what are tinctures used for, their benefits, effects, and how to use them.

Tinctures are produced by soaking the bark, dried or fresh leaves, berries, rhizomes, or roots of one or more plants in alcohol or vinegar for a specific time. It is believed that the alcohol (or vinegar) pulls out active substances from the parts of a plant, and the resulting filtered extract can be used for treating various conditions. Tinctures contain about 25-60% alcohol, making them risky for consumption by children and pregnant women.

Most herbal tinctures come under the "supplement" category for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Most of these are not studied intensively for safety and effectiveness; hence, caution is prudent.

Tincture benefits depend on the herb used to make the tincture. Different plants have different chemicals and nutrients, and their uses depend on their effects.

The following are some of the alleged therapeutic benefits of a few common herbal tinctures:

• Black cohosh: Modulates estrogen and serotonin, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Used to treat menstrual irregularities, relieve menopausal symptoms, and treat, musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, fever, cough, and indigestion.
• Burdock: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and diuretic. Used as a blood purifier to remove toxins from the blood, to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, to improve urine flow, and to treat skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema.
• Cannabidiol (CBD): The main non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, and the main active compound in hemp. Hemp-derived CBD is legal in the U.S. however, it continues to be illegal in some states. CBD has analgesic, anti-convulsive, and sedative properties. It is used to manage epilepsy disorders, especially childhood ones that do not respond to other treatments, for anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, nausea, diarrhea, and addiction.
• Dandelion: Immune-boosting, diuretic, and digestive. Used to stimulate appetite, improve digestion, liver and gallbladder function, and urine flow, and enhance immunity.
• Echinacea: Immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antifungal. Used for enhancing immunity, and to treat common cold, herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), and Candida yeast infection (candidiasis).
• Elderberry: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, and antiviral. Used to treat running nose, cough, sore throat, and to lower cholesterol.
• Feverfew: Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anticancer, and increases contractility of heart and uterus. Used to treat many conditions such as fever, migraines, cough and cold, arthritis, menstrual issues, and to ease labor.
• Goldenseal: Antibacterial and antifungal. Used to treat fever, colds, gastrointestinal disorders, skin disorders, respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections.
• Nettle: Antioxidant, pain-relieving (analgesic), anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-infectious, anti-cancer (anti-proliferative), antiulcer, and hypotensive. Contains many vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients. Used to treat prostate enlargement and associated urinary issues, urinary tract infection, joint and muscle pain, gout, high blood pressure, hay fever, and diabetes.
• Garlic: Antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulating, cholesterol-lowering, and hypotensive. Used to treat high blood pressure, and high blood fats, and protect against heart disease, to treat Helicobacter pylori infection, to improve blood circulation, to enhance immunity, and to treat menstrual disorders and tinea infections.
• Gingko: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and neuroprotective. Used to treat asthma, eye disorders, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and to improve memory and cognitive function, and peripheral circulation (Raynaud's disease).
• Ginseng: Adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor. Used to manage stress and anxiety, improve strength and stamina, boost immunity, treat sexual disorders, improve cognitive function, and many others.
• Valerian: Calming and sedative. Used as a sleep aid, and to treat anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, restlessness, tremors, menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms.
• Yarrow: Antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, digestive, and anti-bleeding. Used to treat fever, hay fever, menstrual disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders, promote sweating, and wound healing.
• Yellow dock: Anti-inflammatory, laxative, and antimicrobial. Used to treat pain and swelling of nasal and respiratory passages, to relieve constipation, and to treat infections.

The acclaimed benefits of herbal remedies are mostly historical and anecdotal, and there is very little scientific evidence to back most of their uses. Although the therapeutic properties of plants are being studied, most require further research and clinical trials to establish their benefits.

An important point to keep in mind is that herbal tinctures are marketed as supplements, and are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products may be contaminated, and labels may not match the contents. If you do use herbal tinctures, use them with caution, and make sure to buy only from well-reputed manufacturers.

For instance, the cannabidiol (CBD) tincture is highly popular in the United States. It is primarily used for relief from insomnia, anxiety, pain, cramps, and diarrhea. Hemp-derived CBD is legal federally, although not in all states, because it is not regulated, the CBD you buy may be cannabis-derived, which would be illegal if medical marijuana is not legal in your state. It may also contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive and addictive substance in cannabis.

The benefits of taking herbal extracts in tincture form include:

• The ease of dosing through a dropper
• Lesser doses are required because they are highly concentrated
• Effective way of delivering plant nutrients because they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream
• They are easier to administer than tablets and capsules
• A shelf life of many months
• The supposed "natural" origin of most of them

However, it is important to remember that all "natural" remedies are not necessarily "safe." The most lethal poisons are also found in nature.

The following are the known adverse effects associated with tinctures:

• Interactions with other medications (that may either render the medications useless or exaggerate their actions)
• Allergies (including fatal anaphylaxis)
• Rashes, hives, and swelling of the airways and tongue
• Swelling of the kidneys or liver due to long-term use of herbal tinctures or their alcohol content
• A steep drop in blood sugars, blood pressure, or clotting problems due to certain tinctures
• Headache, light sensitivity, and giddiness may be observed with dandelion tinctures
• Goldenseal and milk thistle tinctures can be highly toxic in high doses and even cause death
• Milk thistle may act like estrogen hormone and is dangerous in women who have cancers of the breast and uterus
• Tincture burns (ulcerations in the mouth or stomach)
• Some tinctures may also cause bloating, gastritis, heartburn, constipation, gas, and nausea

The following are tips for using tinctures:

• Some tinctures come with a dropper. Place the drop under your tongue, hold it for 30 seconds, and then swallow.
• Some tinctures such as benzoin are inhaled and not swallowed.
• Iodine tinctures are applied to the skin.

Always use tinctures as directed and after consulting your doctor. Never give tinctures to kids and pregnant women. Be mindful of the doses and frequency.

Tinctures are used as an herbal remedy for innumerable conditions. The uses depend on the herb used in the tincture. They are used for treating ailments as varied as colds, coughs, fevers, and allergies to menstrual disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, migraines, arthritis, and others. Many are just used for improving general health and for protecting against disease.

What are tinctures in pharmaceutics?

Tinctures refer to pharmaceutical formulations of plant material extracted using alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin. These are used as herbal medicines for the treatment and prevention of many ailments in alternative medicinal systems.

Do all tinctures contain alcohol?

Alcohol is the most used medium for tinctures, because they are the most effective in extracting the bioactive substances in herbs, and last indefinitely. Vinegar and glycerin are also used, but these are not as effective as alcohol in the extraction of all the therapeutic compounds, and the shelf life of these tinctures is about 6 months.

What is called a tincture?

An herbal extract prepared with alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin, used for medicinal purposes, is called a tincture.

How do you make a tincture?

Here are the general steps to follow in making a tincture:

• You can use fresh or dry herbs. Cut them into small pieces.
• Use a glass jar with a tight lid and fill it up fully with the herbs. If you want to make a small amount of tincture, use a small jar, do not use a large jar filled halfway.
• Fill the jar with alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar to submerge the herbs completely, close it tightly, and keep it in a dark, cool place.
• If you use alcohol, use only ethyl alcohol. Do not use methyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol, they are poisonous if ingested, but these may be used for topical preparations. You may use vodka, brandy, or grain alcohol for oral tinctures. Different herbs need different percentages of alcohol that range from 40% to 75%.
• After a day or two, check the contents and if the herbs are not fully covered with the liquid, add more of whichever medium you are using for the tincture.
• Shake the jar a couple of times every day.
• Strain out the herbs using a cheesecloth after 15 to 30 days. Make sure you strain it well to ensure no solid material is left behind. Bottle it in a brown or blue glass bottle with a stopper. Label it with details of the herbs used, the solution used, or the type of alcohol, along with the date. The period of steeping may differ based on what you use for extracting, the type of herb, and the strength of alcohol, if you use alcohol.

Can I put tinctures in my drink?

The most effective way to use tincture is to use a dropper to place the recommended dose of drops under your tongue, hold for 30 seconds to a minute, and swallow. But if you do not like the taste, you can add it to your water or juice. Make sure it is the type you can take orally. Some are for inhalation or topical use only, do not ingest these.