What is a tincture
The use of herbs, flowers and plants for our nutrition and health is as old as humanity. Tinctures have a long history and have been used for thousands of years, including by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Chinese. Tinctures were also used in Europe around the Middle Ages for various ailments. Tinctures have never gone away and have been on the rise again in recent years: people are increasingly seeing the benefits, effectiveness and ease of use. But what is a tincture anyway?
How is a tincture made?
A tincture is a herbal remedy that is made by soaking roots, seeds, leaf or flower parts in alcohol. During this process, ingredients are optimally released in the herbal preparation. These are substances such as flavonoids, essential oils, tannins and glycosides. Tinctures are full of good properties of the plant. The plant parts that are used can be both fresh and dried. The alcohol percentage and the duration of the maceration vary. For example, roots are generally soaked in a high percentage of alcohol and flowers in a lower percentage of alcohol. However, this is not a fixed fact.
The final form of a tincture is a liquid that you take in drop form. You can read more about the dosage of a tincture here: How do you use our tinctures?
What do you use a tincture for?
The extracted plant ingredients offer a broad spectrum of healing properties. Tinctures can therefore be used for multiple health purposes. Take our Dandelion tincture. This tincture can be used to support the cleansing function of the liver** as well as to maintain normal cholesterol levels**. Other health goals that tinctures can serve include: promoting normal bowel movements, beneficial for blood pressure, supporting the immune system or a good night's sleep or for fatigue and menopausal symptoms.
The composition of the substances that are extracted differs per plant. For example, a certain herb with a similar application may be more suitable for one person than for another.
Why choose a tincture?
High concentration of ingredients
A big advantage of a tincture is that it often has a higher concentration of ingredients than a capsule. In a capsule, herbs are processed in dried or powder form. This means that the active ingredients are present in a less concentrated form than is the case with a tincture.
Fast and complete recording
Another advantage is the almost immediate absorption via the oral mucosa when you place the tincture under the tongue. This is also called 'sublingual absorption'. The mucous membranes in the mouth have many blood vessels that are directly connected to the bloodstream. This means that the active substances in the tincture quickly reach the bloodstream and do not first have to be broken down by the digestive system. The latter is a requirement for a capsule and to a lesser extent for a tea. The addition of alcohol also promotes absorption. Alcohol not only helps to extract the active substances, but it also ensures that the substances can be absorbed more easily by the body. Particularly in the oral mucosa, but also in the gastrointestinal tract.
Long shelf life
The alcohol in a tincture acts as a preservative. This allows the tincture to be stored for years without diminishing in effectiveness.Therefore, no other preservatives need to be added to the preparation.
Easy to dose
A tincture is provided with a dropper or pipette. This allows the dosage to be easily adjusted to individual needs.
Pure Plant Power
In phytotherapy, the whole of the plant is considered stronger than the individual parts, which means that all the ingredients together ensure the effect of the remedy and reinforce each other. By choosing a tincture, you therefore use the synergy of the plant, as nature intended. A tincture is a purely natural herbal remedy, without additives or excipients.
The alcohol percentage
Tinctures are highly concentrated, so you only use a few drops per dose. For example, 30 drops contain 0.75 ml of alcohol, which is equivalent to 1/20 of a glass of wine or eating a ripe apple. Your body processes this amount of alcohol quickly.
For those who prefer not to drink alcohol, we also offer alcohol free tinctures based on vegetable glycerine. In addition, our Gemmo solutions available with a lower alcohol percentage.
How long does it take to see results when using natural products?
The time it takes to notice results varies per person and complaint. For some people, the effects are noticeable quickly, for others it takes longer. In general, it can take several days to weeks. With concentrated extracts, effects can sometimes be felt within a few hours. In general, patience and consistent use are important.
On our website you will find tinctures that are suitable for different health goals, so you can easily make the right choice.
Disclaimer: This product information cannot replace the advice of a doctor or therapist. Always consult your doctor or therapist if you are taking medication. This product is not a registered medicine but a herbal preparation. A food supplement may not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Health claims pending European approval (**)
