We get this question a lot.

What exactly IS a tincture?

The basic definition is an extract that used alcohol as the liquid (menstruum).  This is what extracts the medicinal components of a plant, root etc.

Most menstruums contain alcohol and water – this helps extract more constituents (for us sometimes we use a duel extract). It’s always important to test the final product and ensure that there is a minimum of 25% alcohol (we test every batch!). This is what ensures shelf stability. We use a device called a hydrometer (we don’t guess or rely on assumptions when it comes to calculations).

Did you know that tinctures can last 5 – 10 years when stored properly? It’s why it is such a popular choice for many people.

What about those who don’t want alcohol based tinctures? That’s where a glycerine based extract comes in handy (we call those glycerites). They aren’t as shelf stable, they last about 6 months or so in a cool dark place like a cupboard. You can store them in the fridge and have them last longer, around 2 – 3 years max.

We also have other options like oxymel, syrup, tonic… decoctions and teas too!

Wait…. did I just say Oxymel? What the heck is THAT! It’s a blend of herbs, honey and acid – by acid I mean vinegar not the stuff that melts us like a bad horror film. For many this is a more palatable option. It’s easier for kids to consume due to the sweetness of the honey (which can be altered to counteract the bitterness of the vinegar). Raw apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar are two of the most popular ones for an oxymel. Organic RAW apple cider vinegar is high in acetic acid (the unfiltered version of course), plus what’s known as  “mother” strands of proteins, enzymes, and helpful bacteria. While manu use equal parts of both now, traditional oxymel recipes used a higher proportion of honey to vinegar: as much as five parts honey to one part vinegar! That’s a little too sweet for my palet.

Different compounds are extracted by different methods, some in vinegar (such as our cold and flu remedy Hawt Commodity (a Fire Cider/Master Tonic brew) – but for kids it can be a bit spicy (even with the spices being limited). This is where an oxymel would come in handy. One of my all time favourites is a Oregano Oxymel, I keep this handy in the fridge during the winter months.

The beauty of herbs is that we have so many options. What is your favourite way to consume herbal medicine?