tinktuura

Tinktuura, in Lithuanian usage, refers to a tincture: a liquid extract obtained by dissolving plant or animal material in a solvent, typically an alcohol such as ethanol, to draw out active constituents. In English-language pharmacopeias, tincture describes this kind of preparation, which is common in traditional herbal medicine and in various pharmaceutical processes.

Production usually involves maceration or percolation of dried or fresh material in a solvent, most often ethanol or ethanol-water mixtures. Some tinctures are made with glycerin to produce non-alcoholic or low-alcohol alternatives. The material is soaked for a period ranging from several days to several weeks, then strained or filtered to remove solids and packaged in amber or dark bottles to protect against light. Storage is typically at room temperature, away from direct heat.

Types and characteristics differ by solvent and concentration. Alcoholic tinctures commonly contain substantial alcohol content (often around 20–70% v/v), which helps preserve the preparation and extract a broad range of constituents. Glycerites use glycerin and tend to be sweeter and milder. In modern pharmacopeias, some tinctures are standardized to specific constituents or used as starting materials for further pharmaceutical processing; others remain traditional, compositionally variable extracts.

Uses and regulation vary by country. Tinctures are used in traditional herbal medicine, as flavoring agents, or as bases for other formulations. They may be regulated as medicines, dietary supplements, or cosmetic ingredients, with safety considerations including alcohol content, potential interactions with medications, and suitability for certain populations such as children or pregnant individuals.