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For Tinctures & Herbalists

A Guide to Alcohol for Herbalists and Herbal Tinctures

Historically, alcohol has been the solvent of choice for herbalists, allowing for the extraction and preservation of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of plants. This time-honored tradition relies not just on any alcohol, but on selecting the right kind—specifically, undenatured food grade ethanol. The purity and safety of the alcohol used are paramount, as they directly affect the quality, effectiveness, and safety of the resulting tinctures.

Alcohol vs Oil vs Glycerin for Tinctures

When creating herbal tinctures, the choice of the base—whether alcohol, olive oil, or glycerin—plays a significant role in the final product's effectiveness, shelf life, and method of use. Each base has its unique properties and benefits, making it important to consider your specific needs and goals for the tincture.

Alcohol (Specifically Food Grade Ethanol):

  • Effectiveness: Alcohol is an excellent solvent for extracting a wide range of medicinal compounds from herbs, often more so than other bases. It can dissolve both water-soluble and fat-soluble components, making it highly effective for creating potent tinctures.
  • Shelf Life: Alcohol-based tinctures have a long shelf life, often several years, without the need for refrigeration. The alcohol acts as a preservative, keeping the tincture stable and preventing microbial growth.
  • Usage: Alcohol-based tinctures are typically fast-acting, as alcohol can be quickly absorbed by the body. However, the taste can be strong, and they may not be suitable for everyone, including children, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions or who avoid alcohol for personal reasons.

Olive Oil:

  • Gentleness: Olive oil is a gentle base that is well-tolerated by most people, making it a good choice for topical applications or for those sensitive to alcohol.
  • Nutritional Benefits: Olive oil itself has health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and healthy fats, which can complement the medicinal qualities of the herbs.
  • Limitations: The primary limitations of olive oil are its shorter shelf life compared to alcohol and its suitability mainly for topical use or as a culinary ingredient. Olive oil cannot extract as wide a range of compounds from herbs as alcohol can.

Glycerin (Vegetable Glycerine):

  • Sweet Taste: Glycerin is a sweet, syrupy substance that can make tinctures more palatable, especially for children or those averse to the taste of alcohol.
  • Versatility: While not as effective a solvent as alcohol, glycerin can extract a range of water-soluble compounds and is suitable for both internal and external use.
  • Shelf Life: Glycerin-based tinctures typically have a shorter shelf life than alcohol-based ones, usually around 1-2 years, and may require refrigeration to maintain their potency.

The choice between alcohol, olive oil, and glycerin as a tincture base depends on factors such as the desired potency and range of compounds you wish to extract, the intended use of the tincture, and personal or recipient preferences. Alcohol, specifically food-grade ethanol, offers a potent, long-lasting, and versatile option, while olive oil and glycerin provide gentler, more palatable alternatives with their own unique benefits.

Considerations when sourcing Alcohol for Herbal Tinctures

Understanding Alcohol Purity and Selecting the Right Proof/ABV

The purity of alcohol and its proof or ABV directly influence the efficacy and safety of your tinctures.
What to do: Source the highest proof alcohol available for the most efficient tincture and extraction recipes.  Ensure the alcohol sourced is "ethyl alcohol" that contains zero additives.  Only "ethyl alcohol" and "water" should be listed on the label ingredients or contents statement.

Organic vs. Non-Organic Alcohol

Organic alcohol minimizes exposure to pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, offering a cleaner, more sustainable option for tincture making.
What to do: Look for the USDA Organic seal or equivalent certifications on alcohol labels to ensure you're using the highest quality product for your tinctures.

The Source of the Alcohol

Different source materials like grain, cane, grape, or corn, can impart unique characteristics to your tinctures.
What to do: Research the properties of alcohol derived from various sources and select the one that best suits the flavor and characteristics you desire in your tinctures.  Read more about the characteristics (aroma and flavor) of alcohol from cane, corn, grape, and wheat here.

Why choose "Food Grade Ethanol" for Tinctures?

  1. Safety for Consumption: Food grade ethanol is undenatured, meaning it does not contain toxic additives found in denatured alcohol. This makes it safe for consumption, an essential factor when creating tinctures intended for oral intake.

  2. Purity and Quality: Food grade ethanol is held to high purity standards, ensuring that the tinctures you make are free from harmful impurities that could compromise their effectiveness or safety.

About sourcing alcohol for tinctures locally

Sourcing high-proof alcohol for tinctures locally can be challenging due to regulatory restrictions, limited selection, and the difficulty in finding products that meet quality standards and organic certification. Many local suppliers may not carry the necessary high-proof options, or if they do, they might not adhere to the rigorous purity or organic production methods required for making quality tinctures. This scarcity is compounded by a general lack of knowledge among local retailers about the specific needs of tincture makers, alongside potential cost and accessibility issues, especially in less urbanized areas.

About sourcing alcohol for tinctures online

Ordering alcohol for tinctures from trusted online suppliers comes with several distinct advantages:

  • Wide Selection: Access to a diverse array of high-proof, quality-controlled, and organically certified alcohols, tailored to meet specific tincture-making requirements.
  • Convenience: The ability to easily browse and compare products online, with transparent product descriptions and certifications for informed purchasing.
  • Expertise: Benefit from the knowledge of suppliers specialized in tincture-making needs, offering guidance and support to ensure you select the most suitable alcohol for your project.
  • Direct Shipping: High-quality alcohol delivered straight to your doorstep, overcoming local availability constraints and regulatory hurdles, especially valuable for those in remote areas.

Ready to buy Pure Food Grade Alcohol Online Now?

Four bottles of Culinary Solvent 200 proof food grade ethanol in a line on a white background

Culinary Solvent is pure, food grade ethyl alcohol.  Contains zero additives, is safe for consumption and topical application on the skin.  Ideal for tinctures, extractions, and so much more.  Read some reviews from verified purchases.

What to do: Visit our store to shop now or view these helpful steps on how to buy food grade alcohol for tinctures from CulinarySovlent.com.

Resources and Recipes for Making Tinctures with Food Grade Ethanol

Resources and Recipes for Cooking and Baking with Food Grade Ethanol

About Cannabis Tinctures

Expanded information, starter recipes, cannabis-specific topics, and additional trusted resources.

Learn More

About Organic Alcohol for Tinctures

Culinary Solvent Organic 200 Proof Food Grade Ethyl Alcohol is distilled from non-GMO corn. Learn more about organic alcohol offered by CulinarySolvent.com

About Organic Alcohol

Understanding Permits (and if you need one)

We ship to most states, including California, Florida, Ohio, Maine, and Pennsylvania without additional permits, view our helpful map for state-by-state details.

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