Editing Tincture (section)

{{Short description|Herbal liquid}}
{{about|alcoholic liquids|the colors used in a coat of arms|Tincture (heraldry)}}
{{refimprove|date=November 2018}}
[[File:Whitewillowtincture.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A tincture prepared from [[Salix alba|white willow]] bark and [[ethanol]], containing [[salicin]] (from which [[salicylic acid]]-based products like [[aspirin]] are derived)]]

A '''tincture''' is typically an [[extract]] of plant or animal material [[dissolution (chemistry)|dissolved]] in [[ethanol]] (ethyl alcohol). [[Solvent]] concentrations of 25–60% are common, but may run as high as 90%.<ref name="ReferenceA">Groot Handboek Geneeskrachtige Planten by Geert Verhelst</ref> In [[chemistry]], a tincture is a [[Solution (chemistry)|solution]] that has ethanol as its solvent. In [[herbal medicine]], alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations, which should be at least 20% alcohol for preservation purposes.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ullian|first=Naomi|date=2016-09-19|title=How To Make A Medicinal Mushroom Double-Extraction Tincture|url=https://theherbalacademy.com/make-medicinal-mushroom-double-extraction-tincture/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-12|website=Herbal Academy|language=en-US}}</ref>

Other solvents for producing tinctures include [[vinegar]], [[glycerol]] (also called glycerine), [[diethyl ether]] and [[propylene glycol]], not all of which can be used for internal consumption. Ethanol has the advantage of being an excellent solvent for both acidic and basic (alkaline) constituents. A tincture using glycerine is called a [[glycerite]]. Glycerine is generally a poorer solvent than ethanol. Vinegar, being acidic, is a better solvent for obtaining alkaloids but a poorer solvent for acidic components. For individuals who choose not to ingest alcohol, non-alcoholic extracts offer an alternative for preparations meant to be taken internally.

Low [[Volatility (chemistry)|volatility]] substances such as [[iodine]] and [[mercurochrome]] can also be turned into tinctures.