What Are Ayurvedic Herbal Tinctures?

Ayurveda is thought to be the oldest known health-care system, dating back more than 5,000 years. Originating in India, Ayurveda is a holistic health system that focuses on the connection between the body, mind and soul. Today, Ayurvedic medicine is used as alternative or complementary medicine in the United States, meaning that it is used separate from Western medicine or in conjunction with it; it is still used prevalently in India.

Herbs in Ayurveda

Herbs are a large part of the Ayurvedic health system. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains that Ayurvedic medicine uses more than 600 herbal combinations and 250 single plant herbal supplements as part of its treatments. Ayurvedic herbal treatments sometimes include metals as well.

Herbal Tinctures

Herbal tinctures are simply a way of taking herbs. They are made by extracting the essence of the herb in alcohol, vinegar or glycerine. Nerys Purchon, in her book "The Essential Natural Health Bible," explains that certain components of plants are only alcohol-soluble, so you obtain them in an alcohol tincture but miss out on these components when you take the herb in tea, capsule or decoction forms. Also, tinctures last longer and allow the herb to be absorbed in the bloodstream more quickly than other forms.

Tincture Recipe

To make your own herbal tincture, fill a jar halfway with dried herbs or full with fresh herbs. Then pour the highest-proof alcohol you can find over the herbs to fill the jar. Let the tincture sit for at least two weeks. Twice a day, lay a cloth on a hard surface and tap the jar on top of it for one minute. This process helps release the plant's components into the alcohol. After at least two weeks, strain the liquid from the plant and squeeze the plant to get the last bit of its essences. Store the tincture in a dark-colored glass bottle in a cool, dark area. Under these conditions, the tincture should last for years.

Warning

Some concerns are associated with the use of herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. The NCCAM explains that many Ayurvedic treatments have not been scientifically tested for safety or effectiveness. In 2004, the NCCAM funded a study of 70 Ayurvedic treatments. Fourteen of them included harmful ingredients, including mercury, arsenic and lead. Also, herbs can have side effects and can interact with medications, so talk to a health-care professional before taking them.