Herbal Tincture Q&A
Updated: Jul 12, 2022
We get it - tinctures aren't used in modern medicine, and can create a lot of confusion! A few questions we get asked a lot when folks see our tincture bottles:
- "Are these essential oils?"
- "Does this contain THC/CBD?"
- "Do you put this on your skin?"
The answers to all of these? NO! Read on for some more tincture Q&A's.
Sooo, what the hell is an herbal tincture then?
An herbal tincture is a highly concentrated liquid form of herbs. Essentially, it’s like any other supplement you take. At Alternative Leaves, we brew our tinctures for over a month and a half (yeah, you read that right) to fully extract each plant's benefits. Since they’re highly concentrated, you only need a few drops!
Our brewing tinctures are kept in a dark room away from sunlight and shaken daily to prevent mold and are steeped in either alcohol, apple cider vinegar, or glycerine (all food-safe options!)
Are tinctures digestible?
Yes! Herbal tinctures are meant for consumption.
How do I ingest?
There are a few ways to get that tincture inside:
A) Drop the tincture directly onto or under the tongue. Not the tastiest, but certainly the fastest!
B) Add a few droppers to your tea, coffee, water, juice, etc.
How much should I take?
Dosing with tinctures is all about being in tune with your own body -- it will look different for everyone!
We suggest starting small (a dropper full) and work your way up to a dose that feels good in your body. For example, both sisters are about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, and we average 2-3 full droppers in a cup of tea. Work with what YOU need.
How often should I take my herbal tincture?
We recommend taking our products as needed, but in moderation! Usually, we take 2 droppers and wait 20-30 minutes for the effects to kick in before determining if another drop is needed. The more regularly you take your tincture, the more you’ll feel its benefits (aka 2 drops of our immunity tincture a day keeps the sneezes away!)
Can I take multiple tinctures at a time?
Medicinal herbs are able to work hand-in-hand to address multiple pain points, often synergistically, working together to help your body from the inside out. So if you’re on your period and want to take your Period Pal Tincture, but also need help sleeping at night, you can drop some Sweet Dreams Tincture into that tea too!
What is the shelf life?
Our herbal tinctures have a shelf life of three years. If you’re good to them (i.e. keep them cool and away from the sun) they can last closer to five.
Now that you know a little more about herbal tinctures, browse some of Alternative Leaves offerings! If you come across any questions, feel free to contact us with any questions.