tincturen

Tinctures are liquid preparations in which plant material is extracted with alcohol or a hydroalcoholic solvent. The term tincture comes from the Latin tinctura, meaning to stain, reflecting the characteristic color of many tinctures. In herbal medicine and pharmacy, tinctures are used to draw out soluble constituents for systemic or topical use.

Preparation typically involves maceration or percolation of dried or fresh plant material in ethanol or a mixture of water and ethanol. Common ethanol concentrations range from about 25% to 70% v/v, with 45–60% widely used for many herbs. The material is kept in contact with the solvent for several days to several weeks, with occasional stirring; after extraction, the liquid is filtered to remove solids. Some tinctures are stabilized and stored to preserve activity. Modern practices may standardize tinctures to marker compounds or produce traditional, non-standardized extracts.

Types include herbal tinctures, fluid extracts (concentrated tinctures), and glycerites (hydroalcoholic extracts using glycerin in place of or in addition to alcohol). Tinctures are typically used in small, measured doses such as drops, and their color and aroma reflect the plant material and solvent. They may be intended for internal use or topical application, depending on the preparation and regulatory guidelines.

In many countries tinctures are recognized in pharmacopeias as traditional or standardized dosage forms. Quality control focuses on identity, potency, solvent composition, microbial limits, and absence of adulterants. Shelf life is often several years when stored in sealed, light-protected containers.

Safety considerations include the alcohol content, potential interactions, and contraindications for certain populations. Accurate dosing is essential, and tinctures should be sourced from reputable manufacturers or prepared under appropriate guidelines.