Search results
- Dictionarytincture/ˈtɪŋ(k)tʃə/
noun
- 1. a medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol: "the remedies can be administered in form of tinctures" Similar
- 2. a slight trace of something: "she could not keep a tincture of bitterness out of her voice" Similar
verb
- 1. be tinged or imbued with a slight amount of: "Arthur's affability was tinctured with faint sarcasm"
Powered by Oxford Dictionaries
People also ask
What does tincture mean?
What is a tincture in pharmacology?
What does tintura mean?
What is a tincture made of?
Learn the origin, synonyms, and usage of the word tincture, which can mean a solution of a medicinal substance in alcohol, a slight admixture of something, or a color or tint. See examples of tincture as a noun and a verb in sentences.
- Overview
- Benefits of taking a tincture
- Side effects of taking tinctures
- How to make a tincture
- How to make a tincture without alcohol
- Where to get tinctures
- How to use a tincture
- Popular tinctures and their purported uses
- Takeaway
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Plant tinctures have long been used as herbal remedies. Some plants have proven health benefits, while the effects of others are less clear, and may even be harmful to your health. Consult a doctor before starting any type of herbal remedy regimen.
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts made by soaking the bark, berries, leaves (dried or fresh), or roots from one or more plants in alcohol or vinegar.
The alcohol or vinegar pulls out the active ingredients in the plant parts, concentrating them as a liquid.
There’s some research and anecdotal reports that suggest some plants have medicinal properties and health benefits.
Tinctures have been around for millennia and are a key component of traditional herbal medicine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers most tinctures — with some exceptions — supplements. So, in many cases, their health effects are unclear and not well-studied.
Tinctures make it easy to consume the natural health-boosting chemicals found in some plants. They’re usually inexpensive to make and can be easily prepared at home.
The accessibility of herbal remedies like tinctures is probably a major reason why an estimated 80 percent of the world population relies on these treatments for at least some of their healthcare needs.
Here are some common plants used for tinctures that scientific studies suggests can benefit your health:
•Chamomile (flower). Research suggests chamomile is a plant that’s effective in treating anxiety, healing wounds, and reducing inflammation
•Feverfew (leaf). Feverfew was traditionally used to reduce fevers, but today most people use it to prevent migraines and treat arthritis. However, studies on feverfew’s effect on migraine prevention are inconclusive. Some suggest it works, and some suggest it doesn’t. There’s some developing research suggesting feverfew’s potential to treat cancer, pain, and rosacea. A study involving mice showed promising results regarding feverfew as a possible treatment for anxiety and depression.
•Garlic (cloves, root). An analyses of several small and limited scientific studies suggests garlic is effective at making small reductions in total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol, but results were inconclusive. A follow-up analyses provided results that were somewhat more conclusive. They suggested garlic was effective in reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol when used for more than 2 months. Scientists are also now studying garlic’s potential use in treating cancer.
Adverse reactions with medications
In some people, herbal remedies may interact with medications. Depending on the medication, this may cause: •blood clotting problems •liver damage •increased effects of medication
Allergic reactions
Some plants carry risk of allergy. Reactions may include: •fever •itchiness •hives •redness •swelling •anaphylaxis Medical Emergency Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. If you or someone else has trouble breathing or swallowing after taking a tincture, call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room.
Blood sugar drop
People with diabetes need to be cautious when using tinctures and other herbal remedies. Some plants like milk thistle can cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously low.
Tinctures can be made at home with plants that are safe to use. The simplest way to make a tincture is to submerge herbs in alcohol in a glass jar. Here’s how:
•Find the plant or plants you’d like to use. Make sure to take only parts of the plant that are safe to use.
•Fill up a glass jar two-thirds to three-fourths of the way up with finely chopped fresh leaves. Fill halfway with dry leaves and roots, bark, or berries. And fill one-fourth of the way up with dried roots, bark, or berries.
•Pour grain alcohol of 40 to 70 percent over the herbs to the top of your glass jar, covering them completely.
•Cover the jar with parchment paper and then screw on a metal lid
•Let it sit for 6 to 8 weeks.
Not into alcohol? No problem. Swap the alcohol in your tincture with white or apple cider vinegar.
If you’re not interested in making your own tinctures, you can purchase them in most health food stores. Talk to a doctor before adding tinctures to your healthcare regimen.
Tinctures are also available to purchase online.
Many tinctures are made to be taken by mouth, using a dropper to place some liquid on the tongue.
Use only the directed dose of a tincture, which varies depending on, among other factors:
•the tincture’s concentration
•your gender
•body size and age
It’s important to spend time educating yourself about tincture dosages for various plants online or on the label of tinctures you purchase. Some tinctures are for use only on the skin.
Tincture of arnica
Arnica tinctures are commonly used to treat inflammatory skin diseases like rosacea. Research shows limited efficacy and the potential for serious side effects such as an allergic reaction.
Tincture of benzoin
Benzoin tincture has been traditionally taken to ease inflammation of the mouth, throat, and other respiratory passages when the tincture is inhaled as steam. But studies show limited efficacy and the potential for allergic reaction.
Tincture of iodine
Iodine tincture is a proven antiseptic. You can use it to prevent infection on: •external cuts •burns •scrapes
Plant tinctures have been used as herbal remedies for millennia. Some plants have proven health benefits, while the effects of others are less clear, and may even be harmful to your health.
Talk to a doctor before starting any type of herbal remedy regimen.
Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts made by soaking plant parts in alcohol or vinegar. Learn about the common plants used for tinctures, their health effects, potential risks, and how to make your own at home.
A tincture is an extract of plant or animal material dissolved in ethanol or other solvents. Learn about the characteristics, uses and history of tinctures in chemistry, herbal medicine and spirits.
A tincture is a medicine that contains alcohol and a small amount of a drug, or a solution of a substance in alcohol. Learn more about the meaning, pronunciation and usage of tincture with examples from the Cambridge Dictionary.
A tincture is a solution of alcohol or water with drugs, a slight infusion of something, or a color or dye. Learn more about the word history, examples, and usage of tincture in pharmacology, heraldry, and literature.
A tincture is a medicine that contains alcohol and a small amount of a drug. Learn how to use this word in sentences, see synonyms and related words, and find translations in different languages.
A tincture is a medicine consisting of alcohol and a small amount of a drug, or a slight tint or trace of something. Learn more about the word origin, synonyms, and usage of tincture in different contexts.
