For thousands of years our ancestors have sought to work with the strength of herbs. Intuition, knowledge and experience all played their part. When they are made and used well, herbal preparations are remarkably effective. That is one of the reasons why more and more people choose a natural path, and why herbs deserve a place in every family's medicine cabinet. Among the most effective herbal helpers for all sorts of everyday complaints are tinctures.
What is a tincture?
A tincture is an extract, a kind of liquid herbal preparation, in which the active substances are drawn out of different parts of the plant with the help of alcohol – in other words, by maceration. The plants are placed in alcohol and left to steep, which releases their active substances beautifully. Their greatest advantage is exactly this: long shelf life and a high content of active substances, because alcohol penetrates the plant cells particularly well, opens them up and extracts what is inside. The alcohol in which the herbs are extracted is at the same time an excellent preservative and helps the active substances be absorbed by the body. Herbs also contain many active substances that are not soluble in water (so we will not find them in tea), but which do dissolve in alcohol.
Some tinctures can also be used externally, which is a real advantage. Another benefit of tinctures is that they contain no added substances that could be allergenic. They are also quickly at hand and the active components stay nicely stable. Making them is not a lengthy affair, and a tincture is a gentle and effective companion, because it is kind to the body and suits prevention just as well.
Tinctures are a wonderful choice for anyone with a busy lifestyle who does not have time to prepare herbal teas every day – teas that need to be drunk in far greater quantity for their qualities to be felt. Tinctures also travel well. They are concentrated, so the doses are small, and they can be diluted with water if you do not care for the taste. When making tinctures, the quality of the herbs is decisive, and that is something we truly take to heart. Preparing tinctures is especially useful with plants whose active substances do not dissolve in water, or dissolve only weakly (essential oils, resins, alkaloids…), so that a tea, decoction or infusion will not give the same effect as a tincture. Both fresh and dried herbs are used to make tinctures, and we can work with their flowers, aerial parts, leaves, fruits or roots. The choice of the extraction medium – the alcohol – depends on which plant we choose and which part of it we wish to work with. Tinctures are usually prepared with 25–60% alcohol. On the market you will find tinctures made from a single herb or from blends of several herbs, and we offer those too.
You can find TINKTURKA tinctures in our e-shop
When to use tinctures?
As we have already mentioned, tinctures can also be used preventively – for example to support immunity, to strengthen the blood vessels, or as a natural way to find calm. We can also reach for tinctures with acute complaints and inflammation, as a natural helper. Their use is truly varied and you can turn to them whenever you need. Through a thoughtful combination of chosen herbs and many years of experience, we know that our blends look at a health concern as a whole.
Do you have trouble with digestion? Do you feel heavy after a meal? Are you bloated or do you get cramps? Let us point you to our KOPANYČÁRSKY VYPROŠŤOVÁK, because it works on the digestive system as a whole. The herbs carefully combined in it – an extract from the root of garden angelica (Archangelica officinalis), which is traditionally reached for when the stomach aches, an extract from the root of yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea) and an extract from the aerial parts of white horehound (Marrubium vulgare), whose bitter substances beautifully support the gallbladder and the digestive juices – are complemented by herbs that can ease tension and the stomach unrest that comes with it, such as an extract from the root of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and an extract from the root of elecampane (Inula helenium), and others. A lovely combination, well worth trying.
You can find the KOPANYČÁRSKY VYPROŠŤOVÁK tincture in our e-shop
Or are your legs and arms swollen all year round and you feel tired? Then this is the right moment to get your lymph moving, alongside a varied, balanced diet, plenty of fluids and movement. A unique blend of herbs in the form of the LYMFA tincture will be a lovely companion here. It contains extracts of herbs such as cleavers, which is traditionally used to support the lymphatic system. It has strong diuretic qualities and is reached for when joints feel sore. In combination with stinging nettle, which cleanses the blood beautifully and gives the body the vitamins and minerals it needs, and with couch grass root, which helps carry away what the body does not need, releases excess water and is wonderful with swelling. It supports a healthy metabolism and helps with cleansing the body. Nor should we forget the kind qualities of purple coneflower, which stimulates immunity beautifully, is good to our blood vessels and markedly supports the lymphatic system. A fantastic four in this tincture, don't you think?