This one goes out to all the health noobs out there who have yet to hop on the tincture train. At this moment, tinctures may be a mystery to you and questions may immediately arise at the sight of dark amber bottles and droppers. Careful not to mistake these as serums meant to be applied on your face.

And while some tinctures can be applied topically, we’re talking about the natural,  concentrated herbal medicines meant to be consumed orally for wellness that comes from within and radiates on the outside.

While these little bottles can seem intimidating at first glance, we hope that this crash course can make you feel more comfortable and one step closer to becoming a pro in the world of herbal tinctures!

What exactly are tinctures?

Think of tinctures like the better-for-you, natural alternative to over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol. While there are a number of tinctures that individually target multiple symptoms, they are essentially a concentrated liquid made up of roots, herbs, and plants, or a combination that contains phytonutrients* and active ingredients.

How are tinctures made?

According to Zizia,“a tincture is made by combining plants, alcohol, and water at specific ratios. These then sit together for a minimum of two weeks, the liquid pulls the medicinal constituents from the plant into the solvent aka menstruum, and is later strained. The plant is then composted and the liquid becomes what we know as an herbal tincture.”

Why should I take herbal tinctures?

Zizia states that some of the benefits of taking tinctures are that: “they are easy to take (often just a squirt in water and or by mouth), easy to travel with (they can be taken on airplanes, or stored in your desk drawer, or in your purse to take as needed), it's a great way to incorporate herbal medicine into your every day, as each formula contains a complex range of phytochemicals that may be beneficial to your body and specific systems.” 

When and where should I take tinctures?

Tinctures are super easy to incorporate into your daily life, either with a splash of water or under your tongue. Below are five ways to incorporate them into your everyday routine:

1. Early morning - Take Elderberry Rosehip Elixir with your morning glass of water or directly by mouth. Packed full of immune boosting properties, a dropper full can help you to tackle the full day ahead! 

2. On the go - Throw Nerve Tincture or Anxiety Ally inside your bag, cause you never know when stress will strike, whether that be in the office before an important meeting or during a commute on a delayed subway, you're gonna need this little guy in your arsenal.

3. Post-workout - Perfect to take by mouth before a warm or ice bath (whichever floats your boat) Achy Tincture may help ease aches and pains after an intense workout. 

4. Night time - If you're having trouble sleeping or experiencing insomnia, Relax Tincture is here to the rescue to promote a restful sleep with potent ingredients like kava kava root and rose flowers. 

5. Weekends - Skip the Pedialyte and take Hangover Tonic instead. According to Wooden Spoon Herbs, the ingredients inside this tonic are hepatoprotective, so toxins move through and out quickly and effectively.

 *Phytonutrients - Beneficial substances found in certain plants believed to affect health by boosting your immune system or preventing diseases.