Herbal Medicine 101

We are often asked “What is a tincture?” and “Why should I take herbs as tinctures?”. Read on to learn about the therapeutic benefits of tinctures and what makes St. Francis Herb Farm tinctures different!

What is a tincture?

A tincture is a concentrated extraction obtained by suspending a medicinal plant in a solution of water and alcohol (or another solvent).

Over time, the solvent extracts beneficial components from the plant, then the mixture is filtered and bottled.

Tinctures differ from other liquid herbal preparations, including infusions and decoctions, because they allow a wider range of therapeutic compounds to be extracted from the entire plant and preserved for much longer.

Benefits of a Tincture

• It preserves the most complete range of a plant's therapeutic constituents.
• It is absorbed immediately upon entering the stomach.
• It requires no digestion, making it valuable for individuals with compromised digestive function.
• It has a high degree of bioavailability.
• It has flexibility in dose administration.
• Small doses can be as effective as large doses of the same herb in another form.
• It can be consumed internally or applied topically.
• It has a long shelf life (up to 4 years).

Did You Know?

Tinctures naturally preserve the therapeutic influence of taste, as the healing effect of a medicine begins with ingestion through the mouth (e.g., herbal bitters).

Why Choose St. Francis Herb Farm Tinctures?

St. Francis Herb Farm, combining traditional methods and experiential knowledge, produces single-herb and blend tincture formulations that maximize the healing powers of herbs, to help treat common ailments and promote daily health.

Their superior medicinal tinctures are the result of…

30 Years of Experience

Tincture making is a delicate process that considers many factors to create remedies of the highest quality and effectiveness; it is as much a craft as it is a science! St. Francis Herb Farm, an experienced herbal company that respects and masters traditional methods, has been making tinctures for over 30 years.

Strict Herb Sourcing and Quality Protocols

St. Francis Herb Farm is known for being very particular in its herb selection. Whenever possible, they source Canadian grown herbs locally and are uncompromising in choosing plants of the highest quality.

Commitment to Organic Ingredients

Long before the term "organic" became fashionable, the company was committed to sourcing organic herbs. All of their herbs and medicinal plants, with the exception of a few – those that are impossible to obtain otherwise – are certified organic and come from their most reliable and reputable suppliers.

Refining their commitment to quality, they also introduced certified organic alcohol into their line of tinctures. Today, more than 125 of their tinctures are certified organic and bear the official logo.

Adapting the Process to the Herb

Accessing the most potent medicinal benefits of a plant requires a deep understanding of each plant's unique characteristics. If not handled correctly, a plant's chemical and physiological virtues may never be fully exploited by the user. Several elements must be considered:

• The use of recently harvested herbs.

  Part of traditional knowledge is knowing whether to extract the tincture from an herb when it is fresh or when it is dried.

• Specific herb grinding.

  They have the experience to know if an herb is more effective when ground finely or coarsely.

• The choice of maceration liquid.

  The liquid used in the process can be water, alcohol, glycerin, or a combination of both. Knowing which to use and how much of each liquid are two pieces of the puzzle.

• The duration of the process.

  The maceration time varies from plant to plant, as each has its own chemical characteristics.

• Tinctures and proportions.

  The proportion of a medicinal plant to its liquid base is expressed as a ratio. A 1 to 4 ratio, typical of St. Francis Herb Farm tinctures made from dried herbs, means that every 4 ml of the final preparation was made from one gram of plant material. On the other hand, ratios for fresh herbs tend to be 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 due to the moisture already present in the plant.

The commitment to quality and effectiveness makes St. Francis Herb Farm a valuable resource for professionals. St. Francis Herb Farm is the tincture supplier of choice for the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.