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You are here: Home » Food Preparation » What’s The Best Way To Take Herbs — Tea, Infusion, Capsule, Or Tincture? #AskWardee 046

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What’s The Best Way To Take Herbs — Tea, Infusion, Capsule, Or Tincture? #AskWardee 046

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What’s the best way to take herbs? It’s the herbal supplement showdown… Tea, infusion, capsule, or tincture? Watch, listen, or read to find out my answer! | AskWardee.tv

What’s the best way to take herbs?

It’s the herbal supplement showdown…

Tea, infusion, capsule, extract, or tincture?

Julie F. has the same question: “I’m confused! I know I should be using herbs but I don’t know which form is best — tea, confusion, capsule, extract, tincture… ? What’s the best?”

Actually, all of these forms are powerful in delivering the benefits and nutrition of herbs to your body… but the right form for you depends on your goals and your preferences.

On today’s episode, I’m answering Julie’s question!

I broadcast #AskWardee live each Wednesday at 10am Pacific (1pm Eastern) on Periscope and Facebook Live. Both the podcast and video replay of this week’s show are below. Enjoy!

Subscribe to #AskWardee on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, or the Podcasts app.

The Question: What’s the best way to take herbs?

Julie F. wants to know:

I’m confused! I know I should be using herbs but I don’t know which form is best — tea, confusion, capsule, extract, tincture… ? What’s the best?

My Answer

Let’s talk about the different ways to take herbs, first.

Forms Of Herbal Supplements

There are 4 general ways to take herbs — teas, infusions, capsules, and tinctures/extracts. There are others, too, like lotions and gels and oils. We’re going to stick to the ones you take orally for now. 🙂

The tea is where you steep a small quantity of dried herbs in boiled water for 10 to 30 minutes, then strain and drink.

The infusion is where you steep a larger quantity of herbs in boiled water for several hours to overnight, then strain and drink. Obviously, the infusion is more concentrated than the tea.

The capsules are filled with dried herbs. You swallow them like any other pill. They are generally 4 times more potent than teas.

The tinctures/extracts are where you put the herbs in a solvent base (such as alcohol) for a number of weeks and the alcohol (or other solvent) extracts the nutritive properties of the herbs into itself. Then you strain, bottle, and take by the dropperful. These are the most potent and concentrated because the alcohol is a powerful extractor.

Which Form Of Herb To Take?

Which form to take can definitely come down to preference. However, it is a general rule that the tincture (preferably put under the tongue) gives a more immediate response because the herbs go directly into the bloodstream.

If you’re taking herbs for nutrition (for minerals, for instance), the tea, infusion, or capsules will work great (so will a tincture).

It’s really up to you — these days I prefer the herbal tincture. I make them myself — they’re not only easy but they’re much, much, much cheaper than buying ready-made extracts.

What If You Don’t Like The Taste Of The Tincture?

You can combine your herbal extract with a bit of water. You can even add flavor in the form of lemon or honey.

Some extracts are quite bitter — like schisandra berry. Wowee! I can hardly stand that one.

What If You Want A Non-Alcoholic Tincture?

No need to use alcohol! You can make a non-alcoholic tincture using glycerin or apple cider vinegar as the base.

However, keep in mind that alcohol is the most powerful extractor. In fact, for some seeds and berries, alcohol is the best way to extract the nutrition at all.

Additionally, alcohol is the best preservative. Extracts made with an alcohol base have an unlimited shelf life when stored cool and dark. (The other style of tinctures last 1 to 5 years, depending on what base is used and how they’re stored.)

How To Make An Herbal Tincture (aka Herbal Extract)

Of course, you can buy herbal tinctures. We recommend Frontier Organic herbs.

If you want to make your own, you’ll be happy to find that it’s really, really easy. (And cheap! You can cut your costs by like 20 times if you make your own!)

I have a step by step recipe for you here.

Basically, you steep herbs in alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks. Strain, bottle, and use.

For instructions on making an alcohol-based extract, go here.

How Long Do Herbal Supplements Last?

The storage life depends on the base. All should be stored cool and dark (not next to the oven or a warm place). If stored properly, here’s the shelf life you can expect:

  • alcohol — unlimited shelf life
  • glycerin — 3 to 5 years
  • apple cider vinegar — 1 year

Interesting Facts About Tinctures

While putting together this #AskWardee, I ran into some interesting facts about dispensing tinctures… I’m including these just for fun. 🙂

  • 1 dropperful (a squeeze) is the equivalent of about 30 drops.
  • The pump is the same size on all droppers, so the amount is always about 30 drops — assuming you squeeze air out, fully deflate the pump and suck in all extract (no air).
  • 2 droppers full is like having an 8 ounce cup of tea — very concentrated!

For More Information:

  • How To Make An Herbal Tincture (aka Herbal Extract)
  • Frontier Organic herbs
  • Free Traditional Cooking Video Series

What Is The #AskWardee Show?

The #AskWardee Show is the live weekly show devoted to answering your niggling questions about Traditional Cooking: whether it’s your sourdough starter, your sauerkraut, preserving foods, broth, superfoods or anything else to do with Traditional Cooking or your GNOWFGLINS lifestyle.

I share tips and resources, plus answer your questions about Traditional Cooking!

The Details

When: Wednesdays at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern

Where: @TradCookSchool on Periscope or Traditional Cooking School on Facebook

What If You Can’t Make It?

Don’t worry. You can catch the replays or listen to the podcast!

  • Come back here to AskWardee.TV; all replays will be up within hours of airing live; the print notes are always posted at the same time I go live.
  • Follow @TradCookSchool on Periscope or Traditional Cooking School on Facebook to view the replay.
  • Subscribe to the #AskWardee podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, or the Podcasts app. While you’re there, be sure to leave a rating and review!

Want To Get YOUR Question Answered?

Here’s how to submit your question. If we answer it on #AskWardee, you’ll get a gift!

Or, you can…

  • Tweet your question to @TradCookSchool on Twitter; use hashtag #AskWardee
  • Send an email to wardee at AskWardee dot tv — add #AskWardee to your email so I know it’s for the show

Please do NOT add future questions for #AskWardee to the comments of this post because they might get missed!

Have you ever made an herbal tincture? What is your preferred way to take herbs?

We only recommend products and services we wholeheartedly endorse. This post may contain special links through which we earn a small commission if you make a purchase (though your price is the same).

Posted in: #AskWardee Food Preparation Health & Nutrition Healthy Living Preserving Q & A Superfoods & Supplements Videos

About Wardee Harmon

Wardee lives in the Boise area of Idaho with her dear family. She's the lead teacher and founder of the Eat God's Way online cooking program as well as the author of Fermenting, Sourdough A to Z, and other traditional cooking books. Eat God's Way helps families get healthier and happier using cooking methods and ingredients from Bible Times like sourdough, culturing, and ancient grains.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hélène says

    September 21, 2016 at 11:08 am

    I have decided i cant afford to take premade tinctures anymore. Making them is just so ridiculously easy! Buying the bags of herbs is hard at first as theyre pricey but they make enough for several y.e,a.r.s.
    Supporting my neighborhood hooch supplier is more my concern now! I hate giving them so much biz but I use alotta hooch making all these tinctures lol
    I would love to start a store that sold 100 proof vodka, and maybe rum, among its offerings!

    Reply
  2. Roni says

    June 13, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    Hi Wardee,
    Thanks for your great information. If I wanted to try to make my own tinctures, where would I buy the herbs to make them myself. There are so many companies and you never know which ones are good. Of course I would want to use organic herbs and not herbs from China because of all the environmental issues?
    thanks,
    Roni

    Reply
    • Danielle says

      June 14, 2019 at 12:07 pm

      Hi, Roni.

      I’m happy to help.

      We recommend Frontier organic herbs. Here’s our affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2E8BCss

      God bless you.

      Reply
  3. Chris says

    February 11, 2021 at 4:11 am

    Thanks for amazing post. Keep up the great work. All the best!

    Reply

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