Tinctures certainly still exist. In fact, many people continue to prefer tinctures, thanks to their flexibility of dosage and application. If you are interested in exploring the world of tinctures, you can use this comprehensive guide for making, using, storing and generally enjoying tinctures throughout your daily life.
Tincture Benefits
Humans have been using herbal remedies to treat health conditions since long before written history. Herbs tend to be an abundant natural resource, and many manifest incredible healing effects when consumed. However, herbs alone can be difficult for the body to process, and it can take an ample supply of herbs to generate appropriate effects. Thus, humans began extracting the useful compounds of herbs using alcohol, which dissolves the vegetal matter and preserves the remedies humans need to survive and thrive.
The primary advantage of tinctures is their flexibility. Users of tinctures have almost unlimited choice in how they administer the substance. You might drop tincture underneath your tongue, where it can absorb into your bloodstream, or you might mix tincture into any food or drink before consuming it. You can also apply tincture to your skin. What’s more, there is an almost infinite variety of tinctures that can be produced, as tincture makers can mix different quantities of herbs to produce tinctures with exceedingly specific effects. You can learn more about tincture options by continuing to read below.
Common Tinctures
Every experienced tincture maker has their own unique recipes. However, most tinctures use one or more of a few typical herbs known for producing certain effects. These herbs include:
Hemp. The first domesticated plant, cannabis boasts a number of essential health applications. If you are not interested in psychoactive effects, you might consider using hemp oil tinctures, which take advantage of the non-psychoactive compounds and healthy fats present in cannabis plants.
Elderberry. Elderberries contain an amazing antioxidant called anthocyanin, which is notorious for reducing pain and inflammation. Because not everyone enjoys the flavor of elderberry, elderberry tinctures replicate the beneficial effects of consuming the fruit.
Echinacea. Long revered as the world’s best natural immune booster, echinacea is a root that can be ground up and transformed into a tincture. You might use echinacea both as a preventative and as a treatment for the common cold and flu — alongside other medications, if necessary.
Lemon balm. Technically a member of the mint family, lemon balm is an herb filled with citrusy smell and flavor. Many herbalists recommend using lemon balm for anxiety relief and promoting restful sleep.
Feverfew. Feverfew is a gorgeous white flower related to the daisy that gets its name from its ability to reduce pain and inflammation during fevers. If you suffer from migraines or headaches, you might appreciate the effects of feverfew tinctures.
Nettle. Rich in vitamins, nettle leaves are excellent sources of nutrition when brewed in tea or steeped in tinctures. Using a nettle tincture often can result in stronger, thicker hair and nails as well as softer, clearer skin.
Making Tinctures
Tincture making is relatively easy, but before you invest money in the tools you will need and time in the process, you might invest in a few tinctures to ensure you enjoy their application and effects. By buying tinctures first, you can experiment with different types of herbs and dosages to identify the best recipes, which you can later replicate at home if you so wish.
The folk method of making tinctures involves stuffing your herbs of choice into a wide-mouth glass jar and covering them with a high-proof, potable alcohol, like vodka, brandy, rum or gin. You should cover the mouth of the jar with parchment paper before capping the jar with a metal lid. The herbs should infuse in the alcohol for between four and six weeks, with daily shakings to ensure full contact between the alcohol and herbs. When your tincture is ready, you should strain out the vegetable matter using a few layers of cheesecloth over a large bowl or clean jar.
If you are eager for more exactitude in your tincture, you can use a scale to measure the weights of your herbs before adding them to your jar. Then, you can create a strict recipe to follow or tinker with in the future.
To store your tincture, you should label the jar with the date of straining, the herbs included and the alcohol you used. You might keep your tincture in opaque or amber-colored bottles to prevent degradation from the sun, or you might store your jars of tincture in dark, cool cupboards.
Tinctures can be safe and effective, even when you make them at home. The sooner you introduce tinctures into your wellness program, the sooner you can determine which herbs and applications work for you.