Herbal Tincture Guide
A simple, trustworthy handbook for using tinctures—how they’re made, how to take them, safety basics, and ways to choose the right fit for your body. For educational purposes only; not medical advice.
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What is a tincture?
A tincture is a liquid herbal extract. We soak carefully prepared plant material in a gentle solvent to draw out beneficial constituents. At Jenn & Tonic FARMacy our tinctures use only vegetable glycerin — never alcohol and never vinegar —for a smooth taste and family-friendly experience.
Why people choose tinctures
- Convenient, concentrated, and portable
- Long shelf life compared with teas or fresh prep
- Flexible: easy to fine-tune serving size
How this guide helps
- Explains glycerite strengths in plain language
- Shows how & when to take tinctures for best results
- Highlights safety, interactions, and storage tips
How tinctures work
Vegetable glycerin dissolves many water-soluble plant constituents and produces a naturally sweet, alcohol-free extract that’s gentle for most people. Many take tinctures under the tongue or in a small amount of water or tea.
How our tinctures are made
Gentle maceration
Coarsely cut herbs are combined with vegetable glycerin and left to infuse with periodic agitation. Afterward, we press, filter, and bottle in dark glass.
Low-temperature commitment
To protect delicate constituents, our process never exceeds 90°F. Low-heat extraction helps preserve aroma, flavor, and potency.
Typical ratios (by weight:volume)
| Plant form | Common ratios | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried leaves/flowers | 1:5 or 1:10 | Good general starting point |
| Roots/barks | 1:3 to 1:5 | Denser material may need stronger ratio or time |
| Fresh plants | 1:2 to 1:3 | Account for natural water content |
Our solvents, clearly
| Used in | Solvent | Best for | Taste | Typical shelf life* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tinctures | Vegetable glycerin | Alcohol-free everyday extracts | Sweet | ~1–2 years | Gentle; great for families and sensitive systems |
| Elixirs(not tinctures) | Vinegar | Mineral-leaning preps & oxymels | Tart | ~6–12 months | Used in elixirs for different extraction— never used in our tinctures |
*Approximate ranges with proper storage (cool, dark, dry). Actual shelf life varies.
Elixirs 101 (quick note)
Tinctures = glycerin only. For certain recipes we craft elixirs using vinegar (often with honey) to emphasize mineral-leaning properties and flavor. We never use vinegar in tinctures.
Shop ElixirsHow & when to take tinctures
Common approaches
- Directly under the tongue or diluted in a little water
- Bitters before meals; relaxing blends in the evening
- Consistent, smaller servings often work better than big, occasional ones
Simple timing guide
- Digestive bitters: 10–15 min before meals
- Calm/sleep blends: late afternoon or 30 min before bed
- Daily tonics: 1–3× daily as directed
Strengths, ratios & dosages
Label ratios such as 1:5 (1 part herb by weight to 5 parts glycerin by volume) help you compare concentration between products. The “right” amount is the amount that works for your body, taken consistently and safely.
Quick conversions
- 1 mL ≈ 30–40 drops
- 2 mL ≈ 2 dropperfuls
Gentle approach
Start low, observe, and adjust. Sensitive folks may begin with a few drops.
Safety & interactions
- Check labels for allergens and read “Suggested Use.”
- Introduce one new product at a time so you can observe how you feel.
- Keep out of reach of children; store safely away from heat and light.
Storage & shelf life
Best practices
- Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
- Keep caps tightly closed
- Use clean droppers; avoid touching inside the bottle
When to refresh
Discard if you notice unusual cloudiness, off odors, or visible growth. If a product is past its suggested “best by,” potency may naturally fade.
Shop by category
Daily Balance
Crafted with herbs traditionally used for everyday resilience and steady well-being.*
Shop optionsEvening Ease
Formulated with relaxing botanicals traditionally used to settle in the evening.*
Shop optionsDigestive Support
Includes classic bitters and allies traditionally used before meals.*
Shop optionsAdvanced topics
Energetics describe how an herb tends to move or balance the body’s patterns—useful for tailoring blends seasonally or by constitution.
We favor slow, low-temperature maceration (never over 90°F) to protect volatile aromatics and delicate compounds.
Combine a lead herb with supportive and balancing allies; avoid stacking many herbs with the same energetic direction unless intentional.
Frequently asked questions
No. We never use alcohol—our tinctures are made only with vegetable glycerin.
No. Vinegar is used in some elixirs (for mineral-leaning extractions or oxymels), not in our tinctures.
We keep extraction gentle and never exceed 90°F to preserve potency and aroma.
Disclaimer & references
Educational only. The content on this page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your qualified healthcare professional with questions about your health.
Further reading
- Sharol Tilgner — Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth
- David Hoffmann — Medical Herbalism
- Jill Stansbury — Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals
- Matthew Wood — The Earthwise Herbal
One-Page Cheat Sheet: How to Take Tinctures
Basics
- Serving: follow label directions; a “dropperful” ≈ 1 mL (~30–40 drops)
- How: under tongue or in a splash of water/tea
- When: bitters before meals; relaxing blends in evening
Tips
- Start low, go slow; increase as needed
- Be consistent; track changes over 1–2 weeks
- Introduce one new product at a time
Storage
- Cool, dark, dry place
- Cap tightly; keep droppers clean
- Refresh if you notice cloudiness/odor
Safety
- Consult your practitioner if pregnant, nursing, on meds, or managing conditions
- Discontinue use if adverse reactions occur