All The Deets about Tinctures

What Are Tinctures?

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. The resulting filtered extract is taken orally to relieve a wide range of health issues, or as a proactive way to support specific elements of your wellbeing. They can be used to support physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. Tinctures contain about 25-60% alcohol, making them risky for consumption by children and pregnant women.

How Can Tinctures Be Beneficial?

Tinctures are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and are a highly effective way to deliver the beneficial phytonutrients found in plants to the body, in a highly concentrated form, and can be targeted at a range of areas of health.  Botanical tinctures from whole plant extracts provide the benefits of the broadest spectrum of chemical constituents. The method involved in making a tincture naturally preserves the beneficial actives. Tinctures can be an easy alternative for those who do not like taking tablets or capsules.

Elderberry - Immunity

Elderberry contains a number of constituents that relate to its health supportive actions. It contains monomeric anthocyanins which have an antiviral and anti-inflammatory action and vitamin C, providing further antiviral and antioxidant benefit. Its malic acid assists with reducing arteriosclerosis, whilst also having an antioxidant action.

Echinacea - Immunity

Whole root extract of echinacea draws benefits from several active constituents. Alkylamides, particularly isobutylamides are responsible for the tingling mouth sensation that echinacea causes, and these are reported to have immunomodulatory, phagocytotic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, amongst others. Caffeic acid esters are present, such as cynarin, and echinacoside providing antioxidant benefit.

Ginkgo - Memory

Ginkgo whole-leaf tincture contains a wide variety of constituents.  The terpene lactones of ginkgolide B and bilobalide inhibit platelet aggregating factor (PAF), increase glucose and oxygen uptake at a cellular level, have an action on improving memory, and increase circulation to the hands and feet. Its many flavonoids, including bilobetin and ginkgetin exert antagonistic effects on lipid peroxidation, and its flavanols, including quercetin, have an antioxidant action.

Reishi - mood & memory

Reishi mushroom elevates your mood and acts as an antidepressant. Research shows that Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) is an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator that could treat major depressive disorder. Reishi may be a significant immune booster, with studies showing that G. lucidum polysaccharides regulate immune function and promote antigen production, humoral immunity and cellular immunity. Studies suggest that Ganoderma lucidum has potential as a nootropic – a class of supplements that enhance cognitive function – and can help improve cognitive patterns. Evidence indicates that reishi improves spatial learning and memory deficits and could be used to help combat Alzheimer’s disease. 

Goldenrod - allergy & immunity

Goldenrod supplies many beneficial plant compounds, including saponins and flavonoid antioxidants like quercetin and kaempferol. The flavonoid antioxidants quercetin and kaempferol in goldenrod help protect your cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Free radical damage is a factor in many chronic conditions, including heart disease and cancer. Notably, the antioxidant activity of goldenrod is more than that of green tea and vitamin C.

Dosage Suggestions

Some tinctures come with a dropper. Place the dropper under your tongue, release the liquid in the dropper, hold for 30 seconds, and then swallow.

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.

Legal Disclaimer

Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health conditions.

Studies

Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Oral Elderberry Extract in the Treatment of Influenza A and B Virus Infections. Journal of International Medical Research. 2004;32(2):132-140. doi:10.1177/147323000403200205

Dalby-Brown L, Barsett H, Landbo AK, Meyer AS, Mølgaard P. Synergistic antioxidative effects of alkamides, caffeic acid derivatives, and polysaccharide fractions from Echinacea purpurea on in vitro oxidation of human low-density lipoproteins. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Nov 30;53(24):9413-23. doi: 10.1021/jf0502395. PMID: 16302756

Beck, S.M.; Ruge, H.; Schindler, C.; Burkart, M.; Miller, R.; Kirschbaum, C.; Goschke, T. Effects of Ginkgo bilobaextract EGb 761® on cognitive control functions, mental activity of the prefrontal cortex and stress reactivity in elderly adults with subjective memory impairment—A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial