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Contributed by Humboldt Apothecary
Believe it or not, the Humboldt Apothecary botanical line is the only comprehensive line of alcohol-based cannabis tinctures available in California. At first, people may be a little surprised by the strong flavor of the alcohol, particularly because many cannabis consumers are more accustomed to the oil-based products that are more commonly available. But if you have ever been into a natural wellness section of a grocery store or an herb store, you will encounter a large variety of tinctures and 95% of them will be in an alcohol base. In fact, the true definition of a tincture is a “medicine made by dissolving a drug in alcohol.” Alcohol is used to extract a wide range of plant compounds that are all pharmacologically active and important in plant medicine.
So, what are the other benefits of an alcohol tincture and why might you take one?
Quick Absorption
Alcohol extracts deliver therapeutic benefits more rapidly than other liquids. Typically the onset of effects will be experienced between 20-30 minutes after consumption. The alcohol base is able to partially bypass the digestive process so that your body can begin absorbing the liquid as soon as it reaches the mucous membranes in your mouth and stomach.
Herbal Synergy
All of Humboldt Apothecary’s alcohol-based tinctures are combined with other medicinal herbs to maximize the benefits of the cannabis tincture. Alcohol is the best liquid to extract the various phytochemicals in the herbs. These different plant compounds can help support, restore, and balance our bodies in a gentle way, without causing unwanted side effects. This is a tried and true method of wellness that has been used by humans for centuries.
Flexible Dosing
Liquid extracts make it easy to adjust a dose that is specific for your needs. Because you will absorb the cannabinoids and other botanical extracts relatively quickly in an alcohol base, you can more easily gauge if you will require more, or if you have found the perfect dose. It is best to use the lowest effective dose to prevent building up a tolerance as well as to save you money!
Most Importantly
Liquid herbal extracts (tinctures) can be used to help reduce inflammation, regulate fear and stress responses, enhance immunity, and help support a healthy and functioning endocannabinoid system. And they’re easy to carry with you and take throughout the day to support optimum health and resilience against infection, making them an excellent choice for daily maintenance and well-being. This range of functions makes them ideal to have on hand during the challenging time that we find ourselves in with COVID-19 as a constant concern.
An important thing to note is that these are not to be taken as a sublingual. You will still absorb the liquid more rapidly into your bloodstream than other sublinguals, but the alcohol can burn the sensitive tissues in your mouth, so it is better to take them in water, juice, or tea. If you are particularly sensitive to alcohol, you can place the tincture in hot tea and allow the majority of the alcohol to evaporate off before consuming it. The beneficial compounds will remain in the liquid.
Another great way to enjoy these tinctures is in a cannabis cocktail. Check out the recipes and follow Humboldt Apothecary on Instagram @humboldtapothecary to get inspired to make great drinks and to support optimum wellness every day!
