In fitoterapia la tintura madre (o estratto idroalcolicoIn herbal medicine, the Mother Tincture (or hydroalcoholic extract ) represents one of the main natural remediesof the herbal type obtained from raw materials, typically plants, andalcohol . However, in recent years, alternative formulations have also been developed and have been very successful, such as
hydroglyceric extraction
which makes it possible to obtain Alcohol-Free Mother Tinctures. Mother Tincture: what is it? Mother Tincture consists of a liquid preparation obtained by cold maceration of fresh or dried plant material in a solution based on distilled water and another solvent (usually alcohol). In this way, some of the active ingredients are extracted into the aqueous.
Tand starts with the
alcohol-based
this extraction technique, maceration in a solvent, serves not to alter the active ingredients, but rather to preserve them for a long time, which therefore makes it possible to use them for a long time. In fact, the hydroalcoholic solution represents the starting point for other herbal preparations, and it is precisely for this reason that it is called “mother”. Furthermore, it can be obtained using any medicinal herband in fact they can be obtained
echinacea Mother Tincture , artichoke Mother Tincture, hawthorn Mother Tincture and dandelion Mother Tincture, just to name a few. Particularly interesting is the propolis Mother Tincture, obtained from a resin produced from bees that offers many benefits and, which helps combat disorders of the oral cavity, such asherpes simplex burns o , inflammatory conditions oftongue, gum disorders and respiratory diseases colds.
Mother Tinctures are often used as a basis for homeopathic dilutions, whereas when they are used as they are (generally diluted in a little water), they are considered a herbal product because the plant's phytocomplex , meaning the totality of its active ingredients, is not altered.
However, it is important to emphasize that the benefits that can be obtained vary depending on the type of plant used in the preparation and the type of plant-based material used.
The body's absorption is rapid, if not immediate, since this is a liquid extract. Mother Tinctures made from different plants are often combined because, by acting synergistically, they can provide greater benefits. In fact, this hydroalcoholic solution is useful for resolving or alleviating various problems.
What Is the Mother Tincture Used For?
This interesting product is used in phytotherapy to treat various disorders, as it provides numerous benefits that depend on the plant used for its preparation.
As we know, each plant has its own peculiarities in terms of properties and consequently responds to different needs.
To aid digestion, the lemon balm-based Mother Tincture, fennel, or rosemary tincture is recommended; to improve circulation, butcher's broom Mother Tincture or bilberry tincture is recommended. Also, to address anxiety, stress, and insomnia, Mother Tincture with California poppy or passionflower is preferable.
How to Make the Mother Tincture?
To make the Mother Tincture, it is necessary to start with fresh or dried plants, which in herbal medicine are called drugs, in order to preserve their beneficial properties intact.
To use plants in the best possible way, they must meet 2 conditions:
- The plant is collected in its natural habitat, preferably uncontaminated
- The plant It is also collected during its balsamic period, that is, when its production of active ingredients is greatest.
Again, we speak of a plant, but in reality this refers to various small parts of it, such as the roots, the stem, the leaves, the flowers, the fruits, the bark, etc.
The plant materials must be left to macerate in a solution of water and alcohol. Usually, the average strength used for the hydroalcoholic solution is 50 degrees, but much depends on the type of plant material used.
In fact, there are various extraction methods, but generally a 1:10 ratio is used when preparing Mother Tinctures, that is, 10 parts hydroalcoholic solution to one part plant material.
Maceration must take place cold for at least 3 weeks, taking care to shake the glass container kept in the dark regularly. Once the necessary time has elapsed, the resulting product must be filtered and the plant residues pressed. To preserve the Mother Tincture for a long time, store it in dark glass containers and keep them in a cool place away from light.
How to take Mother Tincture?
Mother Tincture is taken orally, diluting the drops in half a glass of water. As a rule, the dosage depends on the plant used to make it.
However, in general, 20 to 120 drops per day are recommended, preferably away from meals. The expected period of use, on the other hand, is approximately 2 months, but may vary depending on whether it is taken for prevention or treatment.
The method of use is therefore very simple and also provides greater effectiveness, because the active ingredient can be absorbed immediately by taking the liquid, which is not possible with tablets, which are therefore absorbed over a longer period.
We always recommend consulting your doctor or nutritionist regarding the duration of use.
Which are the most sought-after Mother Tinctures?
The most sought-after Mother Tinctures in the herbal products sector are:
- Blackcurrant Mother Tincture
- Echinacea Mother Tincture
- Propolis Mother Tincture
- Artichoke Mother Tincture
Mother Tincture contraindications:
Mother Tinctures themselves have no particular contraindications, other than those of the plant itself.
For this reason, it is always best to seek advice from a specialist when administering it, with extreme caution especially for children.
In any case, remember that Mother Tincture is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, or for those with liver disease or alcohol-related problems, unless they choose an Alcohol-Free Mother Tincture
Ultrasound Extraction: a new, more "green" technique
For several years now, thanks to the discovery of innovative extraction techniques, Mother Tinctures obtained through different methods have begun to be offered on the market.
This is the case with the Alcohol-Free Mother Tincture, most often obtained through an extraction process using Ultrasound in a hydroglyceric solution.
Using glycerin instead of alcohol makes the ™ more advantageous because:
- It has a reduced calorie content
- It has a sweet and pleasant taste
- It is suitable for those following a vegan diet
- It is suitable for those who cannot consume alcohol
- It is suitable for children and pregnant women (we always recommend consulting your nutritionist doctor)
In addition, the extraction using Ultrasound is considered more effective than conventional hydroalcoholic extraction because:
- It is an extraction technique that has been awardedBio accreditation as this extraction is a purely physical process in which no chemicals are used or added. Natural solvents are used instead (oil, water and alcohol), regardless of the solubility of the active ingredients.
- They are obtained very satisfactory yields in terms of active ingredients, because there is a nearly complete exhaustion of the plant material.
- Significant reduction in production times because ultrasound breaks down the cell walls, reducing the time required to transfer the active ingredients from the plant material to the solvent.
The extraction takes place through the creation of stretching forces that cause the disintegration and mechanical rupture of the cell walls, facilitating the release of material from the cytoplasm.
Furthermore, reducing the particle size significantly increases the solid/liquid contact surface, and the mechanical action performed by ultrasound increases diffusion of the solvent into the tissues and breaks the cell walls through cavitation and stretching forces.
The use of ultrasound enables the complete extraction of all the active ingredients contained in the plant (whether water-soluble, fat-soluble, essential oils, mineral salts, amino acids, trace elements, or vitamins) without the use of heat, thus preserving the integrity of the phytocomplex, which is entirely transferred to the solvents.
Alcohol-Free Mother Tincture
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the glycerin Mother Tincture (and therefore, alcohol-free) is an innovative type of Mother Tincture that, having been obtained through the ultrasound process, can be used by a greater number of people and does not have the limitations and problems of an alcohol-containing product.
At Vonderweid, thanks to our twenty years of experience in the field of Food Supplements and following an extensive process of research and development in our laboratories for producing alcohol-free Mother Tinctures, we succeeded in obtaining a product with the desired characteristics.
Our alcohol-free Mother Tinctures are classified as Food Supplements and are regularly notified to the Ministry of Health.
