Tincture
A tincture extracts what water leaves behind: resins, bitters in high concentration, essential oils, some alkaloids. Alcohol is solvent and preservative at once, which is why a tincture keeps for years where a tea keeps for a day. The price is the alcohol itself — it makes tinctures unsuitable for a good number of people.
How it is done
- Allow one part chopped plant material to five parts alcohol (1:5). For fresh herb, closer to 1:3 because of the water it contains.
- The strength depends on the constituent: 40 to 45 percent for bitters and tannins, 60 to 70 percent for resinous and oily plants such as propolis, myrrh or St John’s wort.
- Fill a clean screw-top jar so everything is covered, seal it and keep it dark at room temperature.
- Leave it for two to four weeks and shake it once a day.
- Strain through a cloth, press firmly, and decant into a dark dropper bottle. Write down plant, ratio and date — six months on, nobody remembers.
- Ten to thirty drops one to three times a day in a little water is the usual range. The exact amount is given with the individual use on the plant page.
What this form suits
Resins, essential oils, bitters, flavonoids and many alkaloids pass into alcohol. Mucilage, on the other hand, is precipitated by it — for marshmallow, mallow and linseed a tincture is the wrong form.
Where it ends
A tincture contains drinking alcohol. That rules it out for children, in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, for anyone with a history of alcohol dependence and for people with liver disease. Small amounts still add up when taken several times a day. Because a tincture is many times more concentrated than a tea, interactions with medicines are considerably more likely — particularly with St John’s wort, which speeds up the breakdown of numerous drugs and can render hormonal contraception ineffective. Anyone on regular medication should check a tincture with a pharmacist first.
Storing it
Dark and cool, in a brown glass bottle. A tincture stays usable for two to three years. Cloudiness, sediment or a changed smell are reasons to discard it.
Plants used this way
109 plants in this database have at least one documented use in this form. Not on this list: toxic and legally controlled species — and, for plants carrying a caution, any internal use resting on folklore alone. Everything remains reachable through the search and the plant index.
Traditional agrimony tincture for mild digestive complaints, bloating and as a liver tonic — alternative to tea when ethanol is acceptable.
Alcoholic extract for concentrated internal use in cycle complaints, menopause and mild digestive issues.
Standardised extract for constipation
Traditional alcoholic extract for hypertension and circulation support - mild action, used as multi-week cure.
Aloe juice (Aloe drug, thickened latex from the leaf rind) contains anthraquinones (aloin, aloe-emodin) and is strongly laxative.
Tincture extract of leaves (ratio 1:5, 40–60 % ethanol) as a convenient alternative to infusion, particularly for precise dosing of verbascoside-ri…
Tincture or liquid extract for dry cough and oral mucosal irritation — more convenient than cold macerate but with lower mucilage content.
Undiluted or lightly diluted arnica tincture (DAB: Tinctura Arnicae 1:10, ethanol 70 %) rubbed in for muscle soreness, strains and joint pain after…
Traditional use for dyspeptic complaints: fullness, flatulence, nausea and slow digestion — especially after fatty or rich meals.
Standardized root extracts are used for stress-related complaints; meta-analyses show a measurable effect on perceived stress.
Traditionally used as a tonic for fatigue, stress and reduced performance; marketed as an adaptogen in the West.
Traditional birch leaf tincture as aquaretic; folk use also for joint complaints — adjunctive, no clinical proof for joint indication.
Rhizome tincture is used in modern herbal medicine as a concentrated tannin preparation — internally for irritable bowel complaints and diarrhoea,…
Main use: relief of menopausal complaints such as hot flushes, increased sweating, sleep disorders and nervous irritability.
Alcoholic fresh extract of black radish (1:5, 45 % ethanol) preserves volatile isothiocyanates better than dry extracts.
Leaf tincture (1:5 in 40% ethanol) for rheumatic joint pain.
Standardised aqueous dry extract for digestive complaints
Traditional herbal medicine to relieve discomfort and heaviness of the legs related to minor venous circulatory disturbances (chronic venous insuff…
Standardized root extracts (standardized to petasins) reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in controlled trials.
Ethanolic tincture as a shelf-stable concentrate — diluted for wound care.
Alcoholic extract of the flowering herb, traditionally used for mild mental stress and difficulty falling asleep.
Main folk-medicine preparation for hemostasis: for menorrhagia, nosebleeds, hemorrhoidal bleeding and postpartum bleeding.
Bach Flower Remedy No.
Standardised extract for premenstrual syndrome (well-established use) — only after consulting a doctor.
Loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints and stimulation of gastric/biliary secretion - classical bitter tincture from chicory root, often blended in…
Cinnamon bark extract in tincture form is traditionally used for digestive complaints and to support peripheral circulation.
Forskolin-rich root extracts of Plectranthus barbatus directly activate adenylyl cyclase and elevate intracellular cAMP levels, producing positive…
Concentrated bitter tincture to stimulate appetite and digestion.
Fumitory tincture as a convenient form for the traditional stimulation of bile flow in dyspeptic complaints.
Tinctures and liqueurs from the fruits are widespread in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Standardised dry extract (well-established use) for supportive treatment of mild heart failure NYHA II — leading preparation WS 1442.
Traditional use for the relief of minor joint pain.
Traditional dill-fruit tincture for dyspeptic complaints and flatulence — higher-potency alternative to tea.
Extracts from Dipsacus species (mainly D.
Expressed juice from fresh flowering herb (EMA well-established use) for short-term prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract colds.
Traditional root tincture for chronic respiratory complaints and digestive weakness — stronger sesquiterpene extraction than tea, be aware of heigh…
Main use with EMA-recognised 'traditional use' evidence: for the relief of symptoms of asthenia (abnormal loss of strength and energy) such as tire…
Concentrated application.
Traditional tincture as a bitter (amarum) for loss of appetite and digestive weakness — complementary alternative to the seed infusion form.
Traditional meadowsweet herb tincture as mild analgesic and antipyretic — alternative to tea when ethanol is acceptable.
Tincture of wild strawberry leaves (1:5, 40–60 % ethanol) as a concentrated form for astringent and diuretic use.
Concentrated bitter tincture to stimulate appetite and digestion.
Support in atherosclerosis prevention and mild arterial hypertension; traditional use for promoting circulation.
Standardised gentian root tincture (positively assessed by Commission E) for reflex stimulation of gastric secretion in loss of appetite and dyspep…
Traditional ginger tincture for nausea and digestive complaints — more concentrated than tea, convenient for travel.
Standardised dry extract (EGb 761) for improving cognitive function and quality of life in mild dementia — the only ginkgo preparation with EMA wel…
Internal use of the standardised triterpene extract for chronic venous insufficiency.
Standardised red vine leaf extract is used for chronic venous insufficiency - for swollen, heavy and tired legs, a feeling of tension, pain and nig…
Witch hazel leaf tincture (Commission E positive) — external astringent use for skin inflammations, haemorrhoids and mucosal injuries.
Concentrated form for travel.
Clinically supported use (EMA well-established use) for mild-to-moderate depressive episodes or short-term treatment of mild depressive symptoms.
Best-studied use: standardised Boswellia serrata extracts for osteoarthritis (especially knee osteoarthritis) and inflammatory joint pain.
Folk tincture from green walnut husks — external use for skin fungi, warts and excessive sweating; juglone stains skin brown (temporary).
Traditional juniper berry tincture for digestive complaints, flatulence and appetite loss — alternative to tea when ethanol is acceptable.
Concentrated form for travel use — acts quickly to calm inner tension.
Traditional lovage root tincture for mild urinary tract and dyspeptic complaints — alternative to the infusion when ethanol is acceptable.
Tincture of the flowering herb is used in contemporary herbal medicine as a concentrated tannin preparation — internally for irritable bowel compla…
Traditional chamomile tincture for nervous gastric complaints and IBS symptoms — alternative to tea when ethanol is acceptable.
Lymphatic congestion, supportive in thrombophlebitis and post-thrombotic syndrome (tincture, internal)
Loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints - classical bitter tincture (stomach bitters) stimulating gastric and bile secretion
Concentrated calming form for travel use.
A placebo-controlled double-blind trial (Lopresti et al.
Evening primrose oil (GLA-rich) is traditionally taken for atopic dermatitis.
Olive leaf tincture as a more concentrated alternative to infusion — traditionally used for mildly elevated blood pressure and general immune support.
Onion tincture (onion juice with honey, or alcohol macerate) as folk cough remedy and mild tonic.
Traditional restharrow root tincture as an alternative to tea — liquid dosage form for urinary irrigation therapy.
In dried or extract form, the mushroom has been studied for lowering total and LDL cholesterol; the effect is attributed to beta-glucans and the na…
Concentrated calming form for travel use.
Traditional peppermint tincture for dyspepsia and spasmodic gastrointestinal complaints — alternative to tea for precise dosing.
Spruce bark extract: the bark contains stilbenes (astringin, piceatannol, piceasides), flavonoids (taxifolin), and condensed tannins.
Ribwort plantain honey syrup as traditional alternative to tea for dry irritated cough and hoarseness.
Historically, diluted latex from poinsettia was used in Mexico as a remedy for warts: a few drops applied directly to the wart.
Phytodolor®, a standardised combination of extracts from Populus tremula, Fraxinus excelsior, and Solidago virgaurea, is the best-documented phytot…
Concentrated preparation for stubborn productive cough; note ethanol content (relevant for pregnancy, children, hepatic patients).
Alcoholic or dual extract (water plus alcohol) of the fruiting body, taken to capture both the water-soluble polysaccharides and the alcohol-solubl…
In folk medicine and older phytotherapy, rhubarb root tincture was used as a bitter tonic to stimulate bile flow and gastric juice secretion (dyspe…
Traditional use as digestive and circulation-stimulating tincture for nervous stomach upset, bloating and low blood pressure.
The standardised root/rhizome extract is used traditionally for the temporary relief of stress symptoms such as fatigue and a sensation of weakness.
Willow bark tincture for rheumatic complaints, fever and headache — positive Kommission E assessment.
Hydroalcoholic extract (tincture) of the aerial parts as a more concentrated form for nervous restlessness and sleep problems — corresponds to the…
Traditional ethanolic tincture for dyspeptic complaints and excessive sweating.
Elder flower tincture as a convenient alternative to the sweating tea for colds — diaphoretic, established in folk medicine.
Great burnet root tincture to support heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) and hemorrhoids.
Lentinan derived from shiitake is approved in China and Japan as an adjunct to chemotherapy; randomized clinical evidence is mixed (positive earlie…
Standardised silymarin dry extract (positively assessed by Commission E) for supportive treatment of toxic liver damage and chronic inflammatory li…
Traditional goldenrod tincture for supportive irrigation therapy in urinary tract infections and kidney gravel — alternative to tea infusion.
The root extract is used traditionally to relieve common cold symptoms.
Traditional spearmint tincture for functional digestive complaints — preserves the carvone-rich essential oil spectrum better than a hot infusion.
Savory extracts are used in traditional herbal medicine as appetite stimulants and digestive aids.
Bark extract for circulatory and skin problems: the bark contains high levels of hydrolyzable tannins (ellagitannins: castalagin, vescalagin) with…
Feverfew tincture for traditional migraine prophylaxis (EMA Traditional Use) — gentler alternative to fresh leaf consumption.
Concentrated liquid extract as bitter drops.
Traditional external use of Thuja mother tincture (Thuja occidentalis Ø, ethanolic fresh-plant extract) for local treatment of common warts (Verruc…
Concentrated alcoholic extracts — practical dosing for productive cold-related cough.
Traditional tincture for nervous palpitations, mildly elevated blood pressure and anxiety.
Traditional tincture for nervous palpitations, mildly elevated blood pressure and anxiety.
Concentrated astringent form for travel use in mild diarrhoea.
Ethanolic tincture of fresh herb as a concentrated BITC source.
Traditional turmeric tincture for digestive support — EMA-recognised traditional use.
Alcoholic tincture of field elm bark was used as an astringent for diarrhoea (internally) and as a soothing agent for skin eczema (externally, dilu…
Fresh plant juice — most concentrated form of the classic spring cure.
Standardised valerian root dry extract for relief of mild nervous tension and sleeplessness — EMA main indication (well-established use).
Vanilla tincture (Extractum Vanillae) is an alcoholic extract of cured pods, traditionally used as a mild gastric tonic and digestive aid as well a…
Alcoholic tincture of mullein flowers as alternative to tea for irritant cough — practical when tea preparation and filtering are not feasible.
Traditional tincture of vervain herb for catarrhal respiratory conditions — alternative to infusion when ethanol is acceptable.
Traditional tincture for seborrhoeic skin conditions — suitable for internal and external use; contains ethanol, therefore not for children under 12.
A concentrated preparation for internal use in respiratory catarrh and as a mild women's remedy.
Alcoholic horehound tincture as alternative to tea — practical before meals as bitter tonic and expectorant for cold-related cough.
An alcoholic extract (wormwood tincture), taken drop-wise in water as a concentrated digestive bitter for poor appetite and dyspeptic complaints.