7 Impressive Benefits of Herbal Tinctures

By Mehru Khan | September 7, 2020

People have made use of herbs in medicine for thousands of years and we’re still doing it today. 

The earliest written record of this dates back 5,000 years to the Sumerians, although archeological evidence found in Iraq suggests that herbs have featured in medicine for at least 60,000 years.

Many modern medicines originate from the earliest herbal fixes, so why not go directly to the source? One of the easiest, most effective, and most convenient ways to enjoy the benefits of medicinal herbs is by means of herbal tinctures. 

Discover the mysteries of these concoctions here.

What Are Herbal Tinctures Used For?

So, what are tinctures exactly? The word, ‘tincture’ refers to a solution made by dissolving something in alcohol, usually a type of medicinal herb. 

They’re made by soaking the chosen herb or herbs in alcohol at a ratio of about 1:1 and then leaving the mixture to steep for at least 6 weeks. After this period, you pass the mixture through a press and discard the plant matter.

Nowadays, you can buy machines that help speed up the process so you can make the herbal tincture recipe of your choice in as little as 8 hours. 

In the case of herbal tinctures, the most common herbs used for these medicinal mixes are:

• Shepherd’s purse for bleeding
• White willow as a natural analgesic
• Valerian root for improved sleep
• Garlic for use as an antibiotic
• St John’s wort as a panacea for depression
• Hemp for its anti-inflammatory properties

The most common tincture uses include administering them in place of the usual tablets, capsules, or teas commonly used for treating a wide range of conditions. 

It takes a little more effort to make a tincture than it does to buy these pre-processed types of medication. Yet, there are many benefits to tinctures that make the process worthwhile. 

1. Alcohol Has Medicinal Benefits Too

The medical fraternity’s always acknowledged the medicinal qualities of alcohol.

It’s an effective antiseptic and disinfectant. As a result, it’s widely used as a sanitizer in many industries including healthcare.  

Alcohol’s also an effective painkiller for both animals and humans.  

2. Herbal Tinctures Are an Easy Solution

Once you’ve made a tincture it’s on hand whenever needed, unlike teas, which you’ll need to prepare from scratch several times a day.

Pills and tablets can be hard to swallow and it’s much easier for small children or elderly people to take a tincture administered via a dropper.

Most herbal preparations have a strong bitter taste. Since you’ll only be giving the ‘patient’ a few small drops of tincture at a time, it’s easier for them to accept the bitter taste in a smaller dose. 

If you dilute the tincture with a little water in a glass, it’s even more palatable. 

You store tinctures in small bottles, so they’re easy to transport too.

3. Tinctures Are Potent

Tinctures are highly concentrated, so you’ll see results after imbibing very small amounts. They’re usually four times more concentrated than teas.

To enjoy the health benefits of herbal teas, you’ll need to consume four to five cups a day. You’ll get the same results from two to three droppers of the relevant tincture. 

Since you can adjust the quantity of alcohol you use in your tincture, you can create remedies of varying concentrations according to your needs. 

4. Tinctures Work Faster

Tinctures are usually administered to the mucus membrane under the tongue, so they get to work much faster than medications delivered via the digestive tract.

The alcohol in tinctures helps your body absorb the herbs quickly. This, coupled with the highly concentrated nature of tinctures, means they act fast

Because of this, tinctures are ideal for treating acute conditions like anxiety or insomnia, where immediate relief’s imperative.  

5. Tinctures Are Easily Digested

Tinctures are easy to digest. So, they’re good for people with digestive conditions that impair the way their bodies break down capsules or tablets. 

This means these people will receive the full benefit of the medicines, instead of the fraction of the dose of a capsule or tablet. 

6. Enjoy Fresh Herbs With a Long Shelf Life 

Alcohol’s an excellent preservative, so your tinctured herbs stay fresh for a long time. A bottle of tincture has a shelf-life of up to five years.

Fresh herbs only last a few days even when they’re stored in optimal conditions. 

Most herbs are most effective when consumed fresh. For example, milky oat seed’s most beneficial for restoring damaged nerve tissue when it’s in the seed development stage. 

When you preserve this herb while it’s at this stage of its lifecycle, you’re assured of a steady supply year-round. 

In cases where dried varieties of herbs work better than fresh ones, you can make a tincture from dried herbs too. 

7. Tinctures Are Versatile

When you’re dealing with a complex medical condition, you may need to take several drugs to help alleviate the symptoms. With tinctures, you can customize a blend of different herbs to help treat a variety of ailments. 

The best part is that you can whip up these combinations from bottles of individual herb tinctures without having to make a single batch for each condition.

Since you don’t need special skills to make tinctures, it’s easy to whip up a variety of individual tinctures and keep them to hand for treating a host of different ailments. 

More Healthy Options

To sum up, herbal tinctures offer a range of benefits that put them at the forefront of herbal healing. They’re an easy way to explore the miracles of natural healing before opting for expensive, and sometimes harmful pharmaceutical options.

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