You have your new herbal tincture and are ready to start experiencing the benefit of herbal remedies - yay! Before you dive in, there are a few things you need to know about how to properly store and use your tinctures safely.
Storing your tinctures:
To store your tinctures properly to ensure maximum shelf-life, your bottles should be stored in a cool, dark location out of direct sunlight. Shelf-life will vary based on the type of menstruum used to make the formula (ex: alcohol-tinctures versus glycerites) so be sure to refer to the expiration date on your specific bottles. Generally, alcohol-based tinctures are by far the most shelf-stable and will last at least 5 years and longer if stored properly. Glycerites will normally last between 2 to 4 years, again, if stored properly. One thing to note on all your formulas, especially glycerites is to ensure you do not touch any part of the dropper to your mouth to prevent bacterial contamination.
Using your tinctures:
Please read and follow the label on your specific formula for directions on how to safely and effectively use your tincture. Some general safety tips to keep in mind before you begin using your new herbal formula are to keep your bottles stored out of reach of children and pets, consult with your doctor before beginning a new regimen, if you are pregnant or nursing use caution when taking tinctures and be sure to read and follow all label and instructions after consulting with your doctor as some herbs can be harmful during pregnancy. If you have a current medical condition or suffer from any autoimmune conditions you should first consult your doctor before starting any herbal remedies. If you are using an herbal formula and your condition seems to get worse or you experience any allergic reactions, stop taking the formula at once and consult with your doctor.
When using herbal remedies with children, be sure to conduct a patch test first to ensure no allergic reaction occurs, if the patch test is normal, the herbal formula may be given with the proper dosage based on age/weight of the child.
Proper Tincture Dosage in Children:
When giving a herbal formula to children, it is very important to ensure that you are dosing based off of the child's age and/or weight and that the herbs in the formula are safe for children to consume. You should note that some herbal formulas are not safe for children to use that are used in adult formulas and because of their smaller size and developing body systems a much smaller dosage is normally needed.
In general, it is recommended to use the following dosage calculation to properly and safely for use in children's herbal remedies and as always, talk with your child's pediatrician before starting a new regimen.
Divide your child’s weight (in pounds) by 150 (average weight used for adult dosage), then give the child that fraction of the adult dose as the appropriate child’s dose.
For example, for a 50 pound child give 50/150 (or 1/3) of the adult dose.
So, if the adult dose is 20 drops (1ml or dropperful) taken 3 times per day, the child’s dose will be 7 drops taken 3 times per day (not 20 drops taken 1 time per day).
Another example, for a 30-pound child give 30/150 (or 1/3) of the adult dose.
So, if the adult dose is 20 drops (1 ml or dropperful) taken 3 times per day, the child's dose will be 4 drops taken 3 times per day (not 20 drops taken 1 time per day).
- Under Year 1: Most internal remedies are not suggested to use for children under the age of 1, with the exception of a few diluted herbal teas, honey should never be given to children under 1 year of age, be sure to read and follow all labels and consult with your pediatric doctor.
Remember, that tinctures are highly concentrated formulas, so a little bit goes a long way. The goal of taking herbal formulas is always to take the dose of the remedy should be the smallest quantity needed that will produce the desired result.
Important Legal Disclaimers:
Legally I would like to remind you that I am not a doctor or a pharmacist. What you read here does not constitute medical advice. I am simply sharing what I have learned over the years, what my own family has used and experienced and it is always your responsibility to do your own due diligence, including consulting a healthcare professional you trust and conducting your own research for your particular situation.
The statements made within this website have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements and the products of this company are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Please consult your physician before implementing any new
dietary supplement programs, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or are taking prescribed medications. The statements made on this website are for educational purposes only and are not meant to replace the
advice of your physician or health care provider.
Proper treatment of health conditions depends upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, your medical history, diet, lifestyle, and medication regimen. Your health care provider can best assess and address your individual health care needs. You should consult with your
health care provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen.
Individual results may vary.