Mother tinctures are a type of herbal extract prepared differently from standard tinctures.
Instead of using the standard alcohol preparation method, mother tinctures use water.
This is why they are also known as water tinctures (and not just because they are made with water!).
The name "mother" comes from the German word "Mutter", which means "mother" and refers to the piece of plant material used to prepare the final product.
Although you may see them labeled as "water-based extracts" or "natural water-based extracts", they are essentially mother tinctures.
What does a mother tincture do?
Mother tinctures are a type of herbal extract made from fresh plant material.
They are also known as aqueous dyes (not just because they are made with water!).
They are obtained from fresh plant material, which is then placed in water (instead of an alcohol base as in standard dyes).
The fresh plant material is left to soak (sink) in the water for a certain period of time, after which it is removed.
A liquid extract is thus obtained which is then preserved with a preservative.
Mother tinctures are more therapeutic than standard tinctures, as they retain more of the original structure of the plant.
They are also cheaper to produce, as less alcohol is used during production.
Mother tinctures are used to prepare root, bark, flower, leaf and seed extracts.
How are mother tinctures prepared?
Mother tinctures are made from fresh plant material and not dried or wilted plants, like standard tinctures. They are prepared from fresh plant material, which is then placed in water (instead of alcohol). The fresh plant material is left to soak (sink) in the water for a certain period of time, after which it is removed. Typically, filtration or pressing is done to remove the plant material. A liquid extract is thus obtained which is then preserved with a preservative. Mother tinctures are more therapeutic than standard tinctures, as they retain more of the original structure of the plant. They are also cheaper to produce, as less alcohol is used during production. Since mother tinctures are made from fresh plant material, they lose their therapeutic properties more quickly than standard tinctures.
Why use mother tincture?
Mother tinctures are made from fresh plant material and not dried or wilted plants, like standard tinctures.
They are prepared from fresh plant material, which is then placed in water.
The fresh plant material is left to soak (sink) in the water for a certain period of time, after which it is removed.
A liquid extract is thus obtained which is then preserved with a preservative.
Mother tinctures are more therapeutic than standard tinctures, as they retain more of the original structure of the plant.
They are also cheaper to produce, as less alcohol is used during production.
They can be used for a wide range of herbal extracts, including roots, barks, flowers, leaves and seeds.
Why are they called "mother"?
Mother tinctures are prepared from fresh plant material, which is then placed in water.
The fresh plant material is left to soak (sink) in the water for a certain period of time, after which it is removed.
A liquid extract is thus obtained which is then preserved with a preservative.
Mother tinctures are more therapeutic than standard tinctures, as they retain more of the original structure of the plant.
They are also cheaper to produce, as less alcohol is used during production.
Since mother tinctures are made from fresh plant material, they lose their therapeutic properties more quickly than standard tinctures.
Where are?
Mother tinctures are generally sold as herbal extracts, so they can be found wherever herbal extracts are sold.
Standard herbal extracts are often sold online or in health food stores, but mother tinctures can also be found in other stores.
Final words
Mother tinctures are made from fresh plant material and not dried or wilted plants like standard tinctures.
They are prepared from fresh plant material, which is then placed in water.
The fresh plant material is left to soak (sink) in the water for a certain period of time, after which it is removed.
A liquid extract is thus obtained which is then preserved with a preservative.
Mother tinctures are more therapeutic than standard tinctures, as they retain more of the original structure of the plant.
They are also cheaper to produce, as less alcohol is used during production.