5 Ways Essential Oils Differ from Herbal Tinctures

If you are on this site, and reading this article. You may have some confusion to hoe or when to use Essential Oils and/or Herbal Tinctures. And if that assumption is correct, you are not alone in this need for clarification. The Macro explanation to this is that it is two different methodologies that are designed to get the same or similar physical results. The Micro explanation is a bit more involved.

When we are tired of getting the worn-out responses from main stream Big Pharma, we will or have sought out the naturopathic ways of regaining our health. We live in times where we seek the true answers to the causes of what ails us. Most times it leads us to alternative, at-home solutions for healthy living we want. Without the overbearing costs, overwhelming side effects and extremely underwhelming results.

Perhaps, you may have a neighbor or relative who sells essential oils, a good friend who can’t sleep without their particular herbal tincture… and you want get in the know

I get it. We’ve all been there, as we have begun our journeys we have the same questions you have!

But do you understand the difference between essential oils and herbal liquid extractions, also known as tinctures?

1. Essential Oils are based on Aromatic and Topical Usage Only

Because of the structure of the many oils that can be extracted, and the heavy concentrations of them. It is advisable (unless otherwise proven in national health institute studies or like-reliable trials) to NOT ingest any essential oil, single or blend. The terpenes and the terpenoids that are within, work with the olfactory system that you got and whether it be through those compounds, through an aromatic or inhalation delivery into your system or through memory triggers for the psychological benefits, Essential Oils are primarily for external use.

Here is a run-down on the proper ways to use your Essential Oils – Click Here

2. Purity of the Oils are Vital to Efficacy

There are many Essential Oil manufacturers that are out there. You could probably rattle off a handful or two right now (that you have been approached, at least, for their ‘business opportunity’). Where and how each Oil is grown, harvested, produced, and stored has a direct effect on if or how it may work for you. You need to put in the time to know from where your Essential Oil supply is coming and how long it has been in its current liquid form. Don’t get me wrong, there are many reputable source, and those connected to business opportunities are some of them. As well as the shelf life of most Oils are longer than they are shorter, you definitely still need to know. They work, you just need to be aware how well.

3. Tinctures Are Made from the Whole Plant

Aromatic plants like Peppermint are covered in tiny oil glands. When you crush them (or even brush against them), these glands are broken. This releases the oils and, along with them, the fragrance. Essential oils are the concentrated extract of these pure plant oils and are extracted using a steam distillation process that separates out these pure plant oils from the plant material and water found in the plant (these are known as hydrosols). Essential oils are known as “volatile oils” in this space. They represent one, highly concentrated compound of the plant, making them super potent. Because of this, they should always be diluted properly.

Tinctures, on the other hand, can and will contain all parts of the plant. And if the plant is processed properly, will be like it needs to be as it was originally intended, undefiled. The tincture making process, takes the whole of the plant for a singular application, or combines plants for a more synergistic effect and while potent, it is not dangerous to ingest.

These liquid extracts are how herbs have been consumed for thousands of years. It is an ancient art of extracting herbs with alcohol or glycerin and IS the most simple, effective, and natural way to extract plant constituents in a form that is easily absorbed by the body. Tinctures are made from whole herbs (they may be fresh, dried, cut, or powdered) combined with carrier liquids (alcohol, glycerin, MCT Oil or water). This allows for the extraction of whole-plant compounds, which in turn means they are fast, effective, and gentle in your body. Again as Nature intended.

4. Tinctures Are Self-Doable

Because of the chemical nature of Essential Oils, it can be hard, to nearly impossible for the general layperson to do their own Essential Oil. That goes for the single types as well as the blends. The sheer magnitude of product that is needed to be grown, harvested correctly and at the right time and to be put into the Oil extraction process is DAUNTING. It takes approximately three pounds of lavender flowers to make just 15 ml of lavender essential oil? That’s the small bottle you can get as a sample. Other Oils sources can be more than that. Essential oils are precious and should be used sparingly and reserved for specific, topical use. The oils diffuse very quickly in order to pass through skin tissue. Just don’t forget to dilute them, as pure, undiluted essential oils can cause severe skin reactions.

Comparatively Tinctures are very manageable! It doesn’t take an over abundance of plant material when hand crafting herbal tinctures or liquid extractions. If you were to follow the traditional folk method of making a tincture, you would fill a small glass jar and cover the plant material with the your preferred liquid solvent, eventually straining out the plant material. Further, tinctures capture all the active plant compounds from the plant, therefore offering more medicinal uses from a smaller volume of plant material.

Tinctures are not the ONLY way to receive of the benefits of plants for your health. Teas, Decoctions, Elixirs, and more are available for you to explore and use.

We are committed to sustainably sourcing all of our plant materials when hand crafting tinctures. Being mindful of where the plants come from has a positive effect on both the people and plant populations involved in the process.

5. Tinctures Are Safe to Consume

The most important thing to know about essential oils is that they are not safe to consume without the correct medical supervision. And I say this, that you need to have a medical professional who has had experience with apply Oils to the healing process. If they haven’t, find one who does. Again, essential oils are only one part of the plant and very strong! All essential oils are volatile oils and can cause damage to the hepatic system if ingested improperly — even if a company verifies the quality of the essential oils.

Tinctures, ranging from organic CBD oils (yes they are technically Tinctures) all the way to the other herbal ingredients we have available on the site, are made specifically for internal consumption. Each supplier we choose to carry has been researched and sourced for the highest quality in the market. Tinctures are the ancient ways and methods, those who knew how plants could effect the body, used to get them to the desired system within. They are solely meant for ingestion and bodily intake

Stay Informed!

Learn! Study out what you may be in need of, what condition you may be needing to fix, or what is causing you the pain, or trouble, or bring back into balance. Get keenly familiar with herbs and about herbal formulas and different herbal routines can be a game changer in your life. This is a journey, but a journey well worth the effort!