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Why I Wrote This Book?
The inspiration for writing this book came to me two years ago, when I began exploring videos about herbal tinctures and their potential benefits. I noticed how many people were genuinely curious about how tinctures work and how to make them properly. As a scientist and engineer, I was naturally drawn to question and verify the claims surrounding herbal extractions. This curiosity led me to an in-depth journey of research — reviewing more than 500 scientific papers on the alcohol extraction of herbs and their bioactive compounds.
In ancient times, people consumed herbs directly because it was the simplest way to use them. I still remember my mother preparing herbal medicine by boiling herbs in water — a process that took time and care, but transformed raw plants into something more effective and digestible. This transition from eating herbs to water-based extraction marked a significant step forward in improving the bioavailability and therapeutic potential of plant medicines.
During my Ph.D. studies, I became familiar with solvent extraction — a process widely used in modern research and traditional medicine studies to isolate active compounds. Among the solvents cited in scientific literature are alcohol, methanol, hexane, chloroform, benzene, and others. Of all these, alcohol stood out as the most eco-friendly, safe, and effective solvent — ideal for both laboratory and home use. Its unique balance of polarity allows it to dissolve both hydrophilic (water-soluble) and hydrophobic (oil-soluble) phytochemicals, making it especially suitable for herbal extraction.
In the United States, vodka is one of the most common alcohols used for tincture making. With its 40% alcohol content, it is easy to find, affordable, and effective for extracting a broad range of plant compounds. However, its ability to extract hydrophobic compounds is somewhat limited compared to pure ethanol. To address this, herbalists developed a method called double extraction or dual tincture. This technique combines two steps — first, using a high-concentration alcohol (90% or higher) to extract hydrophobic compounds, and then using water to extract hydrophilic compounds. This approach is especially valuable for certain herbs, such as Reishi mushroom, that contain both alcohol- and water-soluble components.
Throughout my research, I also discovered how critical harvesting time is to the quality and potency of herbal tinctures. Phytochemicals within plants fluctuate throughout their growth cycle, serving functions such as growth regulation, pest resistance, and attraction of pollinators. Harvesting at the right time ensures the highest concentration of beneficial compounds in the final tincture.
In this book, I aim to bridge scientific research and practical herbal wisdom, providing a clear and evidence-based approach to making tinctures. My goal is to empower you — whether you are a beginner or an experienced herbalist — to create effective, high-quality herbal extracts with confidence and understanding.
Dr. Leo
March 2024
Disclaimer: This book is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used for medical treatment or diagnosis. Always consult a healthcare professional before using herbal products.
