With the introduction of our first tincture, Take the Edge Off®, you may be wondering what the significance is when it comes to this new format (as opposed to herbs in powdered form). Here’s all you need to know:
What is an herbal tincture?
An herbal tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of an herb. Herbs are extracted with a combination of high-proof alcohol or ethanol and water, and sometimes also with vegetable glycerin or even vinegar. Taking herbs in tincture form is beneficial for a variety of reasons:
- Tinctures get readily absorbed into your body, which means the effects are typically faster-acting.
- Bioavailable constituents in the herbs bypass the digestive process so your body absorbs the benefits of the herbs more quickly.
- Tinctures are highly concentrated, so you only need a small amount to be effective.
- Some medicinal properties of herbs are best extracted with alcohol, versus when herbs are in powdered form.
- Tinctures are easy-to-use and a convenient way to take your herbal medicine on the go or with minimal preparation.
How are tinctures made?
A tincture¹ is created by soaking or extracting an herb part—leaves, flowers, bark, roots, stem, seeds, or fruit in a mixture of ethanol (alcohol) and water. The mixture of ethanol and water (and sometimes glycerin and vinegar) is called the solvent or menstruum. Depending on the specific herb, plant part, and which constituents are attempting to be extracted, the percentage of ethanol within the solvent varies. This is where herbal knowledge about phytochemistry comes into play!
The constituents of plants are what act on the human body to provide us with medicinal benefits. Alkaloids, tannins, and resins are examples of plant constituents that are best extracted with alcohol. In contrast, carbohydrates (for example inulin, polysaccharides), mucilage, minerals, and vitamins are highly water soluble, so they’re best extracted with water. Since a tincture solvent contains both water and alcohol, we are extracting the widest array of benefits from the plants by using two solvents.
What makes Apothékary tinctures uniqueWhile many in the industry stick to conventional methods, we use a more modern and innovative approach to crafting our tinctures. All herbs in each formula are extracted together—not separately—beginning with a carefully balanced mixture of alcohol and water. This first step allows us to unlock and capture the full spectrum of beneficial phytochemicals.
While many in the industry rely on conventional methods, we take a more modern and innovative approach to crafting our tinctures. Instead of extracting each herb individually, we extract all the herbs in each formula together in a carefully balanced mixture of alcohol and water. This method not only captures a broader range of beneficial phytochemicals, but also enhances their synergistic effects—how the compounds work better together than alone.
What truly sets our tinctures apart is our unique two-step process. After the initial alcohol extraction, we gently remove the alcohol and re-extract the blend in vegetable glycerin. This preserves the potency and complexity of an alcohol-based extract while transforming it into a smooth, sweet, and entirely alcohol-free product.
The result is a powerful, synergistic tincture that delivers the full benefits of the plants—without the burn of alcohol. It’s easy to take directly on the tongue or mix into your favorite drink, making it both effective and enjoyable.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for some fast-acting herbal remedies, tinctures are a great way to go—starting with quick tension relief from Take the Edge Off®.
Sources:
1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/plant-fluid
