Tinctures are an effective way to manage your health. With them, you can easily enjoy the goodness of multiple herbs by ingesting only a few drops. If we talk about current times, we have a large list of commercially available tinctures such as cannabis, propolis, turmeric, etc. You can carry them around anywhere and enjoy their fast and effective action with minimal effort.
Typically, a tincture is made by soaking various parts of herbs in a liquid like alcohol or vinegar. It's quite easy to ingest them through a dropper by simply placing a few drops under your tongue. If you're also considering using a tincture, you're at the right place! This guide covers how to take a tincture and get the best out of it. However, contact your healthcare provider before taking tinctures, especially if you're already on some medications.
What Is A Cannabis Tincture?
A tincture, in general, is a concentrated liquid form of multiple herbs or sometimes even a single herb. Anyone can make a tincture if they have the right herb parts and alcohol or vinegar with them. You can easily extract their active components by soaking these herbs in any of these liquids. Usually, you can use multiple parts of a herb or herbs to make a tincture, including dried leaves, berries, fresh leaves, bark, and roots.
Now, talking about cannabis tinctures, they are basically liquid cannabis extracts that can be made by soaking different parts of a herb in a solvent. The soaking process helps separate the cannabinoids and terpenes from the cannabis plant. This way, you can end up with a solution possessing a high concentration of these beneficial compounds. Furthermore, the solvent also helps increase the tincture's shelf life.
After having a rough idea of cannabis tinctures, you may want to know why they are popular. Well, since tinctures are made using herbs, they are generally called herbal tinctures. And talking about their history, tinctures have been used for centuries and are among the oldest medicines. Whether we say cannabis tinctures or any tincture in general, they all offer an easy way to enjoy the benefits of herbs or cannabis. Also, it's quite easy to decide the precise dose when you're using a tincture.
Overall, tinctures help you stay healthy and boost your productivity at work or while performing your daily activities.
What Are Some Common Commercially Available Tinctures?
Now you know what cannabis tinctures are and the reasons why tinctures are so popular among individuals. However, are you aware of other popular tinctures besides the cannabis ones? Well, cannabis tinctures surely have their own fan base, and this post's major part is around those tinctures only. But, even if they are good for your health, you should also learn about other herbal tinctures, as they can also help improve your quality of life.
So, here is a list of some popular commercially available tinctures:
Cannabis
Propolis
Turmeric
Echinacea
Elderberry
Benzoin
Let's look at these tinctures separately to know more about them.
Cannabis
You already know what cannabis tinctures are. However, are you aware that these tinctures can offer many health benefits?
If we go by the recent year's reports, we can see that many researchers have recognized cannabis's potential to treat problems like nausea, pain, and seizures. Also, as per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, the FDA has only approved three cannabis components that can be used in medicine. This includes nabilone, dronabinol, and cannabidiol. Individuals know cannabidiol with the more common name of CBD.
But, even if the FDA has approved these components, it is still illegal to manufacture cannabis supplements. If you're thinking of making your own cannabis tincture, ensure to check your state and local laws before proceeding with the attempt.
Propolis
While there is a lack of research regarding propolis, little evidence suggests this substance may help treat skin disorders and allergies. Also, you should know that propolis is a substance that bees produce.
General studies have shown the potential health benefits of royal jelly, propolis, and honey. A 2017 studies review suggests that propolis may potentially heal acne and wounds. Furthermore, it was discovered that this substance may have properties to help manage allergic skin reactions.
Looking at other evidence, we can also find that propolis may help enhance vaginal health. Its other properties might help prevent yeast infections and treat bacterial vaginosis.
Before you opt for a propolis tincture, contact your healthcare provider.
Turmeric
You may have heard of turmeric if you like herbs and spices. Well, the primary reason for its popularity is the compound it contains, i.e., curcumin. It's an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Also, a vast majority of the population uses turmeric in their foods as a spice.
Individuals prefer using turmeric tinctures to deal with inflammation and lower it. One 2017 systematic review suggests curcumin may positively impact health problems like osteoarthritis and knee pain. And as you may know, this issue is related to inflammation.
You can use turmeric tinctures for its compound curcumin to enjoy some health benefits. But talk to your provider before using this tincture, especially if you take other medicines.
Echinacea
If you're looking for something that can help boost your immune system, you should consider trying echinacea, which comes both as a herbal supplement and tincture. While it may have some properties to boost your immune system, there is a lack of research into whether you can use it to fight infections.
Elderberry
Elderberry is known to have an antioxidant called anthocyanin. Some research suggests that this antioxidant may have the properties to help lower inflammation. So, using an elderberry tincture may give you the same effects. Consult your healthcare provider if you're unsure about its use.
Benzoin
Got skin allergies or problems? You should try using benzoin, an essential oil that may possess the properties to treat topical skin problems.
In a review of studies of multiple essential oils, it was found that benzoin might have the potential to treat skin issues and minor cuts. Benzoin tinctures also have a long history of being used under bandages to promote fast wound healing and protect the skin.
However, note that this essential oil must be used for topical use only. Avoid ingesting this tincture, as it can lead to complications.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Cannabis Tincture?
Now, as you may know, there are multiple ways to enjoy cannabis. You can either ingest it through vaping or use patches, gummies, etc., to enjoy its health benefits. However, a vast majority of people prefer using cannabis tinctures over other categories of this product.
Undoubtedly, there are some specific perks that can only be enjoyed if you use tinctures. Also, tinctures offer some distinct health benefits compared to other cannabis products. Here are some benefits you gain using a cannabis tincture:
Fast Acting
Discreet
Precise
Shelf Life
Convenience
So, let's understand each of these benefits in more detail:
Fast Acting
Tinctures are taken sublingually. This means you have to put the drops under your tongue to experience their effects. They work fast in delivering the effects to the user's body. Also, tinctures can offer much quicker effects than edibles that go through the digestive system. You can transmit the active components to your bloodstream more quickly through a tincture. On average, cannabis tincture can start showing its effects after 15 to 30 minutes.
Discreet
Now, talking about the discreteness levels, cannabis tinctures promote the quick absorption of cannabis. And for this, you don't have to vape unless it's your preferred method. Also, as tinctures come in small bottles, carrying them around in your pants pockets or purse is quite easy. Furthermore, cannabis tinctures generally don't have any aroma. So, you can use it any time of the day without letting anyone know about it. Just put a few drops of this tincture under the tongue, and you can continue your day as normal.
Precise
Well, with any cannabis product, it's not easy to guess the right dosage. You can easily go overboard with using edibles or flower products. However, this isn't true in the case of tinctures. As they come in a small bottle with a dropper, you can easily measure the precise dose for how much you need to intake. Also, tinctures usually come with a suitable THC:CBD ratio. Hence, you can't make mistakes when deciding the dosage for your tinctures.
Shelf Life
Now, as mentioned, tinctures are made by soaking herbs in a solvent. Alcohol is one such solvent that helps preserve plant compounds. Tinctures are known to possess a long shelf life, expected that you store them in a cool and dark palace. This way, they can stay effective and fresh for many years. Furthermore, since tinctures are available in a concentrated form, they usually last a while, even if you use them multiple times a day.
Convenience
Now, finally, tinctures are also popular for the convenience they offer. Individuals who prefer smoking cannabis require several items like a grinder, lighter, and pipe to enjoy its effects. However, in the case of tinctures, you can avoid all the trouble of gathering different items. Tinctures are already complete in themselves. You simply need that bottle with the dropper to enjoy the cannabis health benefits.
So, there is no need for any papers, accessories, or a torch to begin with! Furthermore, you can even make cannabis tincture yourself at home. Also, for those who want to balance the calorie intake of cannabis, tinctures are amazing low-calorie options for delicious and rich edibles.
How To Take A Tincture?
Now, keeping the benefits aside, let's understand how to use a tincture. Well, you'll find taking a tincture a very easy and straightforward process. For this, you must fill the dropper or a small syringe with the cannabis liquid. After that, you must take it sublingually, i.e., dripping the liquid into your mouth, under the tongue. Make sure to hold the tincture for a few minutes before you finally swallow it.
You can end up with a bitter taste in your mouth after taking a tincture. So, to get rid of that taste, you must rinse your mouth thoroughly after swallowing the liquid. Now, talking about the dosage amount for a cannabis tincture, it usually varies based on your age. Whether you take any other medicine or your current health status, all are deciding factors for what will be the right dose for you. Whatever the case, it's generally recommended not to take more than two small full droppers of a cannabis tincture.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Using A Tincture?
It's always good to discuss the side effects of a product with your healthcare provider before using it. Herbal tinctures such as cannabis are known to carry some potential side effects. After using a cannabis tincture, you may experience dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, light-headedness, and dry mouth.
Before you take cannabis or any other tincture, you must consider the following:
Potential interaction with your current medications
Possible allergic reactions
Safe ways to take the tincture
While you can make a herbal tincture at home, consider buying one instead of making it yourself. This way, you can avoid the toxic parts of a herb.
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Talk with your healthcare provider before taking any type of herbal tincture or herbal supplements.
How To Choose The Right Cannabis Tincture?
Since cannabis products are popular and available in a large variety, choosing the right one can be confusing. Furthermore, there are several manufacturers and providers of tinctures. The basic ideology behind finding the right tincture is knowing what type of experience you want. So, when you visit a store, you must convey your needs to the budtender. These individuals know how cannabis functions and can help you choose the right tincture that matches your goals.
Tinctures with high CBD and low THC levels can offer relaxation effects, and you will rarely experience a "high." While on the other hand, tinctures with high THC and low CBD levels can offer similar benefits but with stronger psychoactive effects.
Also, your dosage amount primarily affects how you feel after taking the tincture. And as mentioned, the dosage amount can vary from individual to individual as well as depend on your specific goals. Therefore, you must consult your healthcare provider before taking a cannabis tincture. Your doctor can tell you whether cannabis is safe for you and how much you should consume daily.
You can also visit Shea's Apothecary to explore large varieties of herbal tinctures, patches, and therapies to help your overall wellness.
