How To Use An Herbal Tincture
Shake the bottle before use. Herbal tinctures should be stored in a cool dark place, such as a kitchen cupboard for years of use. Even though we double strain our tinctures when bottling, it is common for sediment to form in the bottom of the bottle. This sediment is just as medicinal as the clearer part of the tincture, so be sure to shake it all together before you take it.
Understand your dosage. The common dosage for a tincture is a “dropperful.” All droppers have a universal sized bulb at the top - so whether you have a 1, 2 or 4 ounce bottle with a dropper - a squeeze of the bulb is going to provide approximately the same amount - does this make sense? The dropper is never “full”. So, if your herbalist says take a “dropperful,” they actually mean the amount of liquid that is pulled into the glass tube when you squeeze the air out of the dropper bulb at the top. Place your dropper into your tincture and then release the squeeze of the bulb, which will then draw up liquid to approximately half way in the dropper itself. This is considered a dropperful. If you are instructed to take 20-30 drops (which is standard for most herbs) - we suggest drawing liquid into your dropper, and counting the number of drops it dispenses. NOTE where the liquid started in your draw- and this can be your reference. If you are instructed to take 30 drops and your bulb squeeze draws up 28 - no worries - this will be fine. |
If alcohol is a concern try adding the tincture dose to a hot cup of water and wait 10 minutes or so for some of the alcohol to evaporate.
Please keep in mind that people react to tinctures in different ways, and what works well for one person might not work well for another. Tinctures are not guaranteed to cure serious ailments, nor is it a good idea to mix and match them without having a thorough knowledge of contraindications and such. If you’re feeling ill, it’s important to go to a healthcare professional (be that a physician, naturopath, or herbalist) to get their advice before attempting to self-diagnose and/or self-medicate. Herbs have medicinal properties that may have different effects on those who take them, so it’s vital that you ensure that you know what it is you’re treating before you take herbal tinctures. |
The information provided on this website is purely for education purposes. We encourage everyone to be diligent in their own wellness research. Purely Living Wellness does not diagnose, treat nor cure ailments.