Well before this age of modern medicine, our ancestors relied on the sacred gifts provided by Mother Nature—herbs—to heal. The archeological evidence of plant medicine dates back nearly 60, years to the Paleolithic age.

In this article, we will explore what botanical extracts are, the top botanical extract benefits, and why we rely on these powerful botanical supplements at Wise Woman Herbals.

A botanical is a plant or plant part sought after for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, or scent. There are many different ways to prepare a botanical, including teas, infusions, tinctures, and extracts.

A botanical extract is a result of soaking an herb, or botanical, in a liquid-like alcohol, glycerin, or water to extract the desired ingredient. One of the reasons botanical extracts are so effective is their purity and potency. We isolate a single compound within the herb, also known as a phytochemical, which provides a much higher concentration.

You can find hundreds of botanical and herbal products on the market today that are used to promote health and longevity for those suffering from acute and chronic illnesses. For instance, aspirin derives from willow bark , and morphine derives from the opium poppy.

While both botanical herbal extracts and essential oils come from plants, their main differences are rooted in their production, potency, fragrance, and usage:. The herbal extract will often have very different notes of fragrance due to the complex chemical structure and is not always aromatically pleasing in a diffuser.

For aromatherapy, stick with essential oils. Here are the three main benefits botanical extracts provide. One of the biggest botanical extract benefits is that the phytochemicals are potent and highly absorbable. This is primarily because they bypass our digestive process and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.

Consult a doctor before starting any type of herbal remedy regimen. Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts made by soaking the bark, berries, leaves dried or fresh , or roots from one or more plants in alcohol or vinegar. The alcohol or vinegar pulls out the active ingredients in the plant parts, concentrating them as a liquid.

The U. Food and Drug Administration FDA considers most tinctures — with some exceptions — supplements. So, in many cases, their health effects are unclear and not well-studied. Tinctures make it easy to consume the natural health-boosting chemicals found in some plants.

The accessibility of herbal remedies like tinctures is probably a major reason why an estimated 80 percent of the world population relies on these treatments for at least some of their healthcare needs. Here are some common plants used for tinctures that scientific studies suggests can benefit your health:.

Even the plants scientifically proven to benefit health come with the risk of side effects, some of which are serious.

In some people, herbal remedies may interact with medications. Depending on the medication, this may cause:. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency.

If you or someone else has trouble breathing or swallowing after taking a tincture, call and go to the nearest emergency room. People with diabetes need to be cautious when using tinctures and other herbal remedies. Some plants like milk thistle can cause your blood pressure to drop dangerously low.

For example, gingko leaves are a common herbal remedy. They can cause seizures and death. Goldenseal is also toxic in high doses. Some plants, like milk thistle may have estrogenic effects. It should not be taken by those with:.

Some plants — such as St. Other plants — such as valerian — may cause headaches and dizziness. A common side effect of some plant tinctures includes burns or irritation, most commonly forming under the tongue.

Goldenseal, for example, is known to irritate the inside of the mouth and the rest of the digestive system. Tinctures can be made at home with plants that are safe to use. The simplest way to make a tincture is to submerge herbs in alcohol in a glass jar.

The strained liquid is your tincture. You can hold onto it for years if bottled and stored in a cool, dark place. Not into alcohol? No problem. Swap the alcohol in your tincture with white or apple cider vinegar.

Talk to a doctor before adding tinctures to your healthcare regimen. Tinctures are also available to purchase online. Many tinctures are made to be taken by mouth, using a dropper to place some liquid on the tongue. Some tinctures are for use only on the skin.

With most plants, alcohol is a better solvent than water for extraction of the constituents of the plant. Constituents are parts of the plant that have an action on the body. Alcohol preserves the constituents for many years and allows for easy absorption of the liquid extract by the body.

The alcohol protects the extract from bacteria and fermentation and does not require refrigeration. Because alcohol extraction is superior to water extraction, it also makes the herbal medicine stronger than other methods of taking herbs such as capsules, decoctions, or infusions.

Alcohol extracts also bring out the aroma and flavors of the herbs, allowing the user to get to know the herbs they are taking. The taste and aroma of an herb have their own therapeutic benefits. For example, bitter herbs stimulate digestion. The flowery aroma of other herbs may promote a sense of wellbeing.

The preferred method is to add the suggested number of drops to a little bit of water. Be sure that you shake the extract well before each use.

If you are sensitive to alcohol you can put the drops in a small glass and pour boiling water over it. Most of the alcohol will evaporate. You can then add a bit of agave syrup or honey to enhance the flavor. If the water becomes a cloudy white, do not worry; this is very common with bark and resin extracts.

Most liquid herbal extracts have a long shelf-life of up to 2 years on average. To ensure your liquid herbal extracts maintain their quality, be sure to store them in a cool, dark place.

A dry cupboard, away from the stove, microwave or refrigerator is best.

A botanical is a plant or plant part sought after for its medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor, or scent. There are many different ways to prepare a botanical, including teas, infusions, tinctures, and extracts. A botanical extract is a result of soaking an herb, or botanical, in a liquid-like alcohol, glycerin, or water to extract the desired ingredient.

One of the reasons botanical extracts are so effective is their purity and potency. We isolate a single compound within the herb, also known as a phytochemical, which provides a much higher concentration. You can find hundreds of botanical and herbal products on the market today that are used to promote health and longevity for those suffering from acute and chronic illnesses.

For instance, aspirin derives from willow bark , and morphine derives from the opium poppy. While both botanical herbal extracts and essential oils come from plants, their main differences are rooted in their production, potency, fragrance, and usage:.

The herbal extract will often have very different notes of fragrance due to the complex chemical structure and is not always aromatically pleasing in a diffuser. For aromatherapy, stick with essential oils. Here are the three main benefits botanical extracts provide.

One of the biggest botanical extract benefits is that the phytochemicals are potent and highly absorbable. This is primarily because they bypass our digestive process and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The effects tend to be more immediate as a result. Plants have always had powerful healing properties, which is why a diet rich in a variety of colorful vegetables, fruits, and fresh - cut herbs has benefited many people suffering from chronic illness.

But sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all of the nutrients and beneficial compounds like antioxidants from food-based sources , especially if our digestion system is compromised or we have underlying chronic infections.

Herbal supplements lower not only bad cholesterol but also increases good cholesterol. Herbal supplements support the detoxification of the colon and strengthen the immune system.

Daily consumption has also been linked to improvement in overall eye health as it helps reduce cataract problem, intraocular tension, reddening, itching, and watering of eyes.

Herbal supplements improve skin and hair health by hydrating, nourishing, and accelerating tissue regeneration. As a result, it is said to slow the ageing process. Herbal supplements improve blood circulation.

Herbal Supplements fill the gap and provide you with essential vitamins and minerals that you may be lacking. Herbal Supplements help focus on their beneficial effects on stress, anxiety and sleep as the herb is just so complex, with a wide range of actions and indications. Herbal supplements keep your mind healthy and avoid hormonal imbalances caused due to excessive cortisol in the blood.

Herbal supplements improve vigilance, learning and mood. Herbal supplements control sugar levels. Herbal supplements deal with gut microbial health.

Herbal supplements lead to balancing the hormones. Herbal supplements boost the brain's cognitive abilities, and they not only improve memory but also cure certain brain diseases, like Alzheimer's. Herbal Supplements aim to return the body to a state of natural balance so that it can heal itself.

Herbal Supplements can help you make some better lifestyle improvements and experience great changes in your health management. How Well Do You Sleep?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What You Need to Know About Herbal Tinctures. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Benefits Side effects Making a tincture Without alcohol Where to buy How to use Popular tinctures Summary.

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We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Read more about our vetting process. Was this helpful? Benefits of taking a tincture. Side effects of taking tinctures. How to make a tincture. How to make a tincture without alcohol.

Where to get tinctures. How to use a tincture. Popular tinctures and their purported uses. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Jul 13, Written By Erica Cirino. Aug 28, Written By Erica Cirino. Share this article. Read this next. Homegrown Herbal Remedies.

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