In many cases, yes, tincture and tea are equivalent. Some herbal constituents are not water soluble, but they are alcohol soluble, so in those cases a tincture would be better. A LOT of them are simply water soluble though, and that's why you use a relatively low proof alcohol to extract in tinctures. Lower proof means less alcohol and more water, ideally leaving enough alcohol to preserve it but plenty of water for a gentle extraction. I try to include the suggested alcohol percentage in my tincture guides, and the higher the percentage, the more alcohol soluble constituents generally.
Most herbs I'm familiar with have both alcohol and water soluble components, which is one reason tinctures are so lovely. That, and they're shelf stable.
But it really varies by plant.
To your second question, personally, I have never done anything with wormwood, and that's one I know very little about.
Are there any uses for a mint tincture? Have you made or tried one?
I currently have an abundance of place to forage jewelweed, and I am looking forward to making a jewelweed preparation for poison ivy relief. I may a salve/ointment preparation; I'm thinking a tincture might sting on a poison ivy rash that I have definitely scratched before treating.
If you're talking about glycerine for making your own, I use some from Starwest Botanicals. If you're talking about prepared tinctures, I usually go with Herb Pharm.
What a great list. Many I would never have thought of and want to try. Thank you for the inspiration and information. Plus a few of these I have out in the garden or in my pantry, even better.
Mint tincture is usually used for stomach issues (nausea/indigestion, etc) and sometimes for sinus stuff (clearing things out, like thyme tincture). Personally, I like it for headaches too.
Oregano is an outstanding analgesic; we have used it for migraines and surgical pain after 3 different rotator cuff repairs. For tooth aches and other dental pain, just take some ground cloves out of the baking supplies and apply a small amount to the offending area. The eugenol in it is the active constituent for topical pain relief and is the same thing used in those oral gels and the topical gel at the dentist office.
As usual, a very pleasant info provided. Same time I stay confused with HOW MANY Americans stay familiar with such tinctures usage, applications? There are many articles and even clinical trial reports exist providing with scientifically proven facts of natural tinctures health supporting effects if consumed properly and regularly.
The main question is what PROPERLY means for different people with different weigh, age and a luggage of already accumulated for years chronic diseases, how those tinctures are gonna "cooperate" with already prescribed by MDs pills? Who is gonna bear liability if something went wrong?
I do consume several natural tinctures/extracts daily + 2 forest collected mushroom ingredients tea every morning. Yes, I can sell them to public, but how ?
That was my initial question/idea addressed to Ashley : how to sell the result of her and mine forest/meadow produce foraging associated with activities?
Another point I stay confused with is HOW MANY Americans stay familiar with such tinctures usage, applications? There are many articles and even clinical trial reports providing with scientifically proven facts of natural tinctures health supporting effects if consumed properly. The main question is what PROPERLY means for different people with different weigh, age and a luggage of accumulated for years chronic diseases, how those tinctures are gonna "cooperate" with already prescribed by MDs pills? Who is gonna bear such liability ?
I do consume several natural tinctures/extracts daily + 2 forest mushroom ingredients tea every morning. Yes, I can sell them to public, but how ?
Question Via Email:
Excellent info, Ashely. You do good work and I always appreciate your writings. Two questions:
1. Do you find that in most cases when using these herbs that tea has the same beneficial effect as a tincture?
2. Do you ever use wormwood?
Answer:
In many cases, yes, tincture and tea are equivalent. Some herbal constituents are not water soluble, but they are alcohol soluble, so in those cases a tincture would be better. A LOT of them are simply water soluble though, and that's why you use a relatively low proof alcohol to extract in tinctures. Lower proof means less alcohol and more water, ideally leaving enough alcohol to preserve it but plenty of water for a gentle extraction. I try to include the suggested alcohol percentage in my tincture guides, and the higher the percentage, the more alcohol soluble constituents generally.
Most herbs I'm familiar with have both alcohol and water soluble components, which is one reason tinctures are so lovely. That, and they're shelf stable.
But it really varies by plant.
To your second question, personally, I have never done anything with wormwood, and that's one I know very little about.
Hi Ashley!
Are there any uses for a mint tincture? Have you made or tried one?
I currently have an abundance of place to forage jewelweed, and I am looking forward to making a jewelweed preparation for poison ivy relief. I may a salve/ointment preparation; I'm thinking a tincture might sting on a poison ivy rash that I have definitely scratched before treating.
Is there a brand of glycerite you fancy?
If you're talking about glycerine for making your own, I use some from Starwest Botanicals. If you're talking about prepared tinctures, I usually go with Herb Pharm.
What a great list. Many I would never have thought of and want to try. Thank you for the inspiration and information. Plus a few of these I have out in the garden or in my pantry, even better.
Mint tincture is usually used for stomach issues (nausea/indigestion, etc) and sometimes for sinus stuff (clearing things out, like thyme tincture). Personally, I like it for headaches too.
Oregano is an outstanding analgesic; we have used it for migraines and surgical pain after 3 different rotator cuff repairs. For tooth aches and other dental pain, just take some ground cloves out of the baking supplies and apply a small amount to the offending area. The eugenol in it is the active constituent for topical pain relief and is the same thing used in those oral gels and the topical gel at the dentist office.
I am now three years into growing my own medicinal herbs. Great to have stumbled on your substack.
As usual, a very pleasant info provided. Same time I stay confused with HOW MANY Americans stay familiar with such tinctures usage, applications? There are many articles and even clinical trial reports exist providing with scientifically proven facts of natural tinctures health supporting effects if consumed properly and regularly.
The main question is what PROPERLY means for different people with different weigh, age and a luggage of already accumulated for years chronic diseases, how those tinctures are gonna "cooperate" with already prescribed by MDs pills? Who is gonna bear liability if something went wrong?
I do consume several natural tinctures/extracts daily + 2 forest collected mushroom ingredients tea every morning. Yes, I can sell them to public, but how ?
Oxymels are my go-to. Elderberry is the best, but thanks for the reminder to try others.
Where is a good place to purchase these? I have no access to these plants.
That was my initial question/idea addressed to Ashley : how to sell the result of her and mine forest/meadow produce foraging associated with activities?
Another point I stay confused with is HOW MANY Americans stay familiar with such tinctures usage, applications? There are many articles and even clinical trial reports providing with scientifically proven facts of natural tinctures health supporting effects if consumed properly. The main question is what PROPERLY means for different people with different weigh, age and a luggage of accumulated for years chronic diseases, how those tinctures are gonna "cooperate" with already prescribed by MDs pills? Who is gonna bear such liability ?
I do consume several natural tinctures/extracts daily + 2 forest mushroom ingredients tea every morning. Yes, I can sell them to public, but how ?