Herbal Tinctures: What they are and how to use them.

A tincture is, in the simplest terms: plant material left to soak for a length of time. Usually, the liquid in your tincture would be alcohol of 80 proof or higher. You can also tincture with glycerin. In most cases, tinctures seem to be the best for preserving herbs and for administration. There are many ways plant material can be prepared. You could Google almost any plant and choose to make tinctures a dozen different ways, and nobody is to stop you. Or you could certainly try tinctures off the shelf in any style you choose. 

Sometimes, just by thinking about a plant's taste, look, feel or smell, I can almost experience the same effect as if I had taken its tincture. For example, the calming effect when thinking about the smell of roses, or the taste of rose petal tincture. I often experience stronger effects from smaller doses.  

In most cases I think of herbs in two ways, one as an occasional support such as an immune booster or nourishing/soothing tonic, and the other as a support during a trying time either from physical injury, chronic pain or mental anguish. I do not think of herbs as supplements. Rather, something that helps remind the body of its proper path. When we get back on track, we should no longer need the herb. In the future, we may get a little lost again and come back to the herb along our journey.  Other times we will journey for a long time with the same herbal allies.  

An ideal way to determine dose is to “pulse test”, this is a great way for us to get a good sense of accurate dosage, however, this takes at least two people and a little practice. Some are more skilled at this than others, but anyone who can feel a pulse can pulse test.  If this is something that is of interest to you, we do offer classes on pulse testing using your choice of 50 herbs which have been wildcrafted in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

When trying a new herbal tincture, I try to first be mindful and relaxed. I apply one drop to the skin on my arm and sit for a moment to observe. Am I feeling more relaxed, sharper, no change, etc.? I continue this process one drop at a time until I either stop feeling any effect or begin to experience the feeling of unease. Note the number or drops, and I would take one drop less. For example: If I feel no change from drop 3 to drop 4, I will take 3 drops. 

If I feel nothing and I am sitting with 7 drops on my arm, well okay, I don’t feel anything and that is okay. For me, if I don’t experience anything within seven drops, I likely won't experience anything at all. I know people who test much higher (15-20 drops). Use your discretion. Listen to your body. Learning to test yourself can be its own process. If I ever feel negative effects from even one drop of any plant tincture, I stop immediately. 

I generally start with 1 drop two to three times a day. If I do not feel positive change in a day or two, I increase to 3 to 5 drops two to three times daily. Then after another day or two with no change, I try 7 to 11 drops, or one dropper.  Again, not every herb is for everyone. Yes, I know of people who always go straight to a dropperful because it’s “easier” and that is their personality. Somehow herbs seem to work for them too. Just be who you are when working with herbs! But please, get to know them first.

Be mindful that what goes in can’t come out, but what sits on the skin can be washed off, which is why testing should be done topically.  Often tinctures can be used just as effectively topically, which is sometimes best.  Some such examples would be using tincture for migraines, which tend to be unpredictable, or nerve pain when the tincture is best applied directly to the site of pain. 

However, many people prefer to take an herb orally. I do believe the taste helps stimulate digestive organs. Considering this, and other actions that taste provides. I take many herbs orally both in tincture form and as tea.  Having experienced the difference when taken orally verses topically, I tend to prefer most herbs orally, which seems most convenient.  Of course, we always have exceptions to everything.  Every plant has its own uses and identity.  Keep in mind: test first, taste second. 

When we meet a new plant and observe it over time, we notice its strengths and how it is supported in nature. This is what our herbal education is all about, introducing you to our herbal allies. When I am getting to know new herbs for the first time, it’s over the course of a few days and throughout the seasons. I interact with them in nature and get to know their characteristics or “personality”.  Through this I better understand its individual properties. The more you observe, the better you will be at choosing herbs for your unique circumstances. 

I encourage you to get to know your herbal allies, those helpers waiting in your own backyard!

Melissa Tokarski