Crafting Tinctures with Animal-Derived Ingredients: A Comprehensive Guide for Herbalists

For centuries, humanity has relied on nature's bounty for healing and wellness. Not limited to plants and minerals, the animal kingdom also contributes to our wellness journey. This post explores the fascinating world of making tinctures using animal-derived ingredients and the various menstruums used for extraction.

Animal-Derived Ingredients: A Closer Look

Tinctures utilizing animal-derived ingredients are widely practiced in traditional medicines worldwide. Here are some of the most popular examples:

1. Propolis: A bee product, rich in antioxidants and known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
2. Royal Jelly: Another bee-derived product, it is nutrient-dense and often used for boosting immunity and improving skin health.
3. Cod Liver Oil: Derived from the liver of codfish, this oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A and D, contributing to heart and bone health.
4. Emu Oil: This oil, rich in Omega fatty acids and vitamin A, is used for its anti-inflammatory properties and for skin health.
5. Lanolin: A waxy substance derived from sheep's wool, is a superb skin emollient and is commonly used in creams and lotions. It has water-repelling properties, making it excellent for protecting the skin in harsh weather conditions.
6. Gelatin: Often obtained from bovine or fish sources, is used to create capsules for herbal supplements, making it easier to ingest certain herbs.

Storage Best Practices 

Preserving the quality of animal-derived ingredients involves specific storage methods:

1. Store animal-derived ingredients in airtight containers to protect them from oxidation and contamination.
2. Keep them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.  Refrigeration is often beneficial at drastically extending the shelf-life of animal derived ingredients, however not technically required for most refined ingredients.
3. Label your containers with the date of purchase and the name of the ingredient.
4. Always use clean utensils when handling these ingredients to avoid cross-contamination.

Creating tinctures with animal-derived ingredients unveils a unique area of natural healing. Such tinctures not only carry the therapeutic properties of the animal-derived ingredients but also embody the principle of utilizing nature's wide-ranging resources for holistic health and well-being.