Mother tincture: definition, benefits, how to use it?

Mother tincture: definition, manufacturing

“The mother tincture is a form of use of a plant with medicinal propertiesdefines Sophie Pihan, naturopath and phytotherapist. It's a practice of extracting active ingredients from the plant. The final solution contains water, alcohol and fresh herbs. Everything is filtered before being marketed..

To make a mother tincture and extract a maximum of active ingredients, the plant must macerate for at least three weeks, protected from light. The macerate is pure alcohol between 60° and 96° depending on the different laboratories. Once the mixture is filtered, a liquid emerges that can be taken as a cure. A small percentage is evaporated, knowing that the drops must be diluted in water before ingestion.

The mother tincture is used as a homeopathic medicine or in the field of herbal medicine. It is sometimes a natural alternative to remedy certain benign everyday ailments.

What is the difference between mother tincture and essential oil?

The mother tincture uses the entire plant while the method of manufacturing essential oils allows only certain molecules to be extracted. Essential oils are instead obtained through hydrodistillation, an extraction technique by distillation of water vapor. The extraction process to obtain the mother tincture requires a high degree of alcohol.

Mother tincture or macerate?

“The mother tincture is a maceration in alcohol. Other maceration techniques exist, such as maceration in oil for example, more intended for external use. There maceration is then a different extraction technique for the active ingredients, gentler and slower than for the mother tincture” specifies our expert.

Method of consumption: how to drink the mother tincture?

Internal use is the majority. The dosage varies greatly depending on the plant components extracted and the dilution of the maceration, the problem encountered and the public concerned. “You can take 15 to 50 drops diluted in a glass of water or 5 drops directly under the tongue, 3 times a day” says Sophie Pihan. The mother tincture is sometimes used in gargle.

Indications: what are the benefits of the mother tincture?

The benefits of mother tincture, a natural alternative

THE benefits of the mother tincture depend on the plant chosen. Each plant offers different effects; some improve the quality of the skin or fight against sleep disorders while others relieve female discomfort.

Even if the use is essentially internal, external use remains possible.

The mother tincture is also a good alternative for people who don't want to take capsules or those who don't like herbal teas.

“This hydro-alcoholic solution is concentrated, it is therefore effective on the disorders occurring during a crisis, such as a digestive crisis or an eczema flare-up. It provides rapid relief because it does not go through digestion. The active ingredients are quickly assimilated by the body. In general, a three week treatment will be recommended, to be repeated once or twice, spacing each treatment by one week” underlines Sophie Pihan.

What plant extract should you take to sleep well (valerian, passionflower, hawthorn, etc.)?

To improve sleep, the mother tincture of lemon balm, passionflower, valerian, chamomile or hawthorn is effective. Overall, these plants calm the nervous system and help combat stress, anxiety and anxiety. Mother tincture complexes exist, for synergistic action against sleeping troubles.

Weight loss: which mother tincture to lose weight?

According to our specialist, the choice of mother tincture depends on individual needs:

• The dandelionwith draining properties for the liver;
• The blueberryin case of appetite for sugar;
• The sea ​​crests, to burn fat and limit storage.

Remember that plants support the body if you want to lose weight, but only as part of a healthy and balanced diet, and the practice of regular physical activity.

Which mother tincture for digestion?

The mother tincture of dandelion or lemon balm is indicated in cases of digestive problems. Lemon balm has antispasmodic effects to combat spasms of the intestine, colon or stomach. Dandelion helps eliminate waste from the body, promotes digestion and supports liver and biliary functions.

Other uses of the mother tincture

“We can almost say that there is a mother tincture for all everyday ailments, because we can macerate a large majority of plants in alcohol” announces our phytotherapist.

Plantain (asthma, eczema, etc.)

Plantain, for example, is indicated in cases of chronic respiratory disorders such as asthma. Plantain compresses diluted in water will relieve eczema lesions.

Yarrow and Pasteur's Purse (menstrual cycle disorders)

To relieve menstrual cycle disorders, certain plants such asYarrow (relieving pain) or Pasteur Scholarship (reduction in bleeding) are renowned.

Calendula, thuja: skin condition

Other mother tinctures are used locally as a healing agent on wounds, such as the mother tincture of calendula or for the treatment of warts, such as thuja.

St. John's wort

The mother tincture of St. John's wort sometimes helps in cases of temporary depression, nervous agitation or anxiety. It helps fight against sleeping troubles and mild insomnia.

Harpagophytum mother tincture

Harpagophytum is a mixture known for relieving joint pain linked to rheumatism, osteoarthritis or arthritis, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Arnica mother tincture

Less known than the ointment or the granules, the teinture d’Arnica is a homeopathic medicine. This mixture is used as an additional local and external treatment to quickly relieve minor trauma (contusions, bruises, muscle fatigue, etc.).

What is propolis mother tincture?

Propolis sometimes comes in this format. “Propolis is a hive product that is quite sensitive to heat and humidity. Alcohol protects the active ingredients of propolis, thus allowing long-term consumption, without worrying about conservation. Propolis is excellent for regaining energy, vitality and supporting your immune system. There mother tincture of propolis is ultra concentrated. It's typically a product to have in your first aid kit, to draw out as soon as you feel a little ill to boost your immune system.”.

Contraindications

THE contraindications of the mother tincture are :

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
• Alcohol dependence or alcohol withdrawal;
• People who do not consume alcohol due to their faith or lifestyle;
• Liver failure or steatosis, because alcohol stresses the liver;
• Children;
• People with epilepsy.

Today, there is a maceration technique which uses vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol, more accessible to these people, even if the extraction of the active ingredients is a little less effective.