Herbal Tinctures are Friendly Allies

What are Herbal Tinctures?

Tinctures, extracts, tonics, elixirs - various names for the liquid essence obtained through the extraction process of active herbal/plant leaf, berry, root, fruit, flower ingredients. Among the methods employed for this extraction are alcohol, water (this would be a ‘tea’), or coconut glycerin or local honey/vinegar (known as an ‘oxymel’)

StoneHouse Holistics Stillroom tinctures/extracts specialize in alcohol-based preparations. Alcohol stands out as the preferred solvent for several reasons. It excels in extracting nearly all active constituents from herbs, yielding stronger tinctures that require lower doses for efficacy. Additionally, alcohol serves as a natural preservative, inhibiting bacterial and mold growth and thus extending the shelf life considerably. Properly stored, alcohol-based tinctures can maintain potency for years.

Why choose Tinctures over other Herbal Preparations?

While herbs can be consumed whole, in powdered form (such as capsules – which is the least effective format), or brewed/infused as a tea ~ the liquid form of tinctures (or tea) offers massive distinct advantages. Liquids bypass the need for digestion, enhancing absorption rates. Unlike teas, tinctures require no daily preparation, boast higher concentrations, necessitating smaller doses. Moreover, tinctures facilitate customization by allowing various herbs to be blended to address individual needs. They can be taken neat, though preferably,diluted in a little water or other beverages, or applied topically in various forms such as compresses, oils, ointments, or even added to foot soaks or bathwater for a therapuetic experience.

Tincture Concentrations

Tincture bottles are typically labeled with a weight-to-volume ratio, where the first number denotes the weight of the herb, or marc, and the second number represents the volume of alcohol solution, or menstruum. Common ratios include 1:4 or 1:5. At StoneHouse Holistics our tinctures boast an exceptional therapuetic1:2 ratio, macerated in 50% distilled cane sugar alcohol - one of the highest concentrations available. It is olde world herbalism. This ratio ensures extraction of approximately 95%+ of the plant's compounds/essences, resulting in potent herbal remedies with a rich spectrum of medicinal compounds.

Preparation

Herbal medicine extracts can be derived from fresh or dried herbs, utilizing any part of the plant. Each part of a plant has varying strengths of medicinal compounds & balancing factors to consider.

To formulate a tincture, organic or wildcrafted herbs are chopped & sometimes finely ground to increase the surface area for extraction. Once the herbs are fully submerged in the appropriate menstruum, the jar is tightly sealed and stored away from extreme light or temperature fluctuations. Periodic agitation of the jar aids in distributing the menstruum evenly. Extraction typically occurs over several weeks. StoneHouse Holistics practices ensure 6 to 12 weeks of extraction duration for the best maximized outcomes.

• Tinctures are easy to use, travel well and make using herbalism a potent method of support.

• The alcohol content of an herbal tincture dose equates to about the same amount of alcohol found in a ripe piece of fruit you would eat.

• To remove that little bit of alcohol; add the dropperfuls to a tea cup, top with boiling water and let sit until room temperature. This evaporates off the alcohol from the dose.

• When using StoneHouse Holistics herbal tinctures, – 1 bulb squeeze of the dropper assembly equals and is considered 1 dropperful.

See our custom herbal tinctures/extracts under the Plant Extracts & Syrups tab on this website for further reading.

Kelly Remmer, Compounding Master Herbalist since 1995

Family Owned & Operated Herb Farm, Wildcrafting & Herbal Dispensary

Essential Wellness Botanicals ~ Micro Consultation info on website

www.stonehouseholistics.com The Stillroom Shoppe

Oct 15 2025