If you want to channel the power of herbs into your everyday life, herbal tinctures are your new best friends. These highly concentrated liquids harness the healing capacity of herbs to help with health ailments, improve your mood, and add some extra joy to your life. They also make it easy to absorb herbs into your system quickly when you’re looking for healing in a hurry.

Tinctures are made with natural ingredients like flowers, leaves, tree bark, or berries extracted in alcohol. (Some tinctures are made with vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar, depending on the herbs involved, but alcohol is the most common solvent.) Tinctures are taken orally, and are usually administered by placing a few drops under your tongue, which helps the solution to enter your bloodstream quickly.

People have been making tinctures and turning to herbs for wellness for hundreds of years. While the process has been recognized for generations, the physical benefits aren’t the only thing that make tinctures so fascinating. Many herbalists and enthusiasts report that learning more about tinctures and natural healing have changed the way they relate to the environment. After all, there’s no clearer reminder that we are connected to nature than finding healthy ingredients in our own backyards.

Tincture Ingredients To Know

When it comes to which tinctures could have a positive impact in your life, the sky’s the limit. Below are a few popular herbs you might want to try incorporating into your routine:

Chamomile: Encourages healthy skin and a good night’s sleep.

Peppermint: Aids in digestion, helps soothe cold symptoms, and assists with inflammation.

Rosemary: Assists with circulation, helps boost the immune system, aids in detoxification, and helps soothe headache pain. Rosemary may also help improve your mood, increase concentration, and calm anxiety.

Fennel: Calms the stomach and soothes heartburn. If your doctor has given the okay to use tinctures while breastfeeding, fennel may also help boost milk production.

Ginger: Aids with joint pain, calms nausea and stomach upset, can help reduce inflammation, and is a strong antioxidant.

Echinacea: A great option when you’re suffering from a cold. It also can help boost your immune system and soothe strep throat.

Sage: Known for its antioxidant qualities. It may be able to help with cholesterol, a sore throat, menstrual cramps, low moods, symptoms of menopause, and digestion.

Rose Petals: Helps to spark positive and romantic feelings, aids in digestion, aids in soothing pain, and can help ease menstrual cramps.

Buy Tinctures or Make Them Yourself

Lots of herbalists and wellness companies sell quality tinctures made with care. If you’d rather go a DIY route, though, you can create a tincture in your own kitchen fairly easily. Specific prep methods may vary based on a tincture’s ingredients, but generally, all you need is your chosen herb, a glass container that closes, and consumable alcohol. (Or, if you’d rather not use alcohol, you can stock up on vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar.) Most homemade tinctures call for soaking the herbs in the alcohol in a cool, dry space for several weeks—and then you’re all set! Your tincture is ready to enjoy. You can purchase your herbs or grow them yourself on your windowsill or in your yard.

Alcohol-based tinctures can last a very long time, while tinctures made with vegetable glycerine or apple cider vinegar may need to be refrigerated and will expire after a certain time frame. The important thing to remember is that tinctures are concentrated and powerful. It’s important to talk to your doctor before adding a new herb or tincture to your routine and to ensure in advance that it won’t cause any reactions to medications you’re taking. You can also consult a local holistic practitioner if you have any extra questions.

Other Way to Explore Herbalism

There are lots of ways to utilize the power of herbs, so if tinctures aren’t your thing, don’t be afraid to try another method. Herbal tea, bitters, supplements, and salves all have their own unique benefits. It’s all about finding what works best for you and what you most enjoy. Happy healing!