Are glycerin tinctures as good as alcohol?
Table of Contents
Are glycerin tinctures as good as alcohol?
Alcohol is able to extract the largest range of plant constituents while glycerine tinctures tend to not be as strong but are still an excellent alternative especially for people who cannot or choose not to consume alcohol or for children and elderly.
Is glycerin better than alcohol?
Glycerine is best used for flowers, leaves, and aromatic herbs, whereas alcohol is better at extracting properties from the tough parts of the plants like roots, barks, and dried berries.
Are tinctures better with alcohol?
Here, we’ll take you through the powerful properties of alcohol and the reasons why it’s still the preferred solvent for tinctures. Alcohol is an excellent solvent for herbs, because it can extract the compounds and active ingredients that aren’t water-soluble, such as essential oils, alkaloids and resins.
Do tinctures have to be made with alcohol?
In order for tinctures to be shelf-stable they need to be at least 20% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 40 proof. To capture the widest range of both water soluble and alcohol soluble constituents, we recommend working with an alcohol that is between 40-60% ABV (80-120 proof).
Is glycerin considered alcohol?
Glycerin is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol, or polyol. Glycerin contains slightly more calories per gram than sugar and is 60–75% as sweet. Glycerin occurs naturally in fermented foods and beverages, including beer, honey, vinegar, wine and wine vinegar.
Can you mix vegetable glycerin and alcohol?
To make THC tincture for e-cigarettes, perform the above steps using alcohol and a sterile jar. After allowing the plants to infuse into the tincture liquid for 12 to 24 days, strain the liquid into a new sterile jar. Add three parts vegetable glycerin to the new jar and shake for 2 full minutes to combine the mixture.
Can you mix alcohol and glycerin for tincture?
The primary advantage of making tinctures with glycerin is to avoid using alcohol so that people with alcohol sensitivities can have access to these forms of extracts. Alcohol is generally regarded as both a superior solvent and preservative when compared to glycerin.
What can you use instead of alcohol for tinctures?
The most common alcohol-free menstruums are water, glycerin, and vinegar. They each extract different constituents from plants and can be used alone or together to create full-spectrum plant medicine.
How do you make a tincture with glycerin?
Steps
- Mix the glycerin + distilled water in a 3:1 ratio (3 glycerin : 1 distilled water) + add to jar, make sure to fully submerge the herbs.
- Cap + Shake the herbs – make sure to agitate and shake them up daily if you choose to do the cold infusion method.
- Label it!
What is glycerin and alcohol used for?
Overview. Glycerol is a naturally occurring alcohol. It is an odorless liquid that is used as a solvent, sweetening agent, and also as medicine. When glycerol is in the intestines, it attracts water into the gut, softening stools and relieving constipation.
What is the purpose of glycerin in alcohol?
One of the major downsides of alcohol is its propensity to dry hands with continued use. In order to combat the drying effects of alcohol, one ingredient that is used in formulations is glycerin.
What kind of alcohol is best for tincture?
To capture the widest range of both water soluble and alcohol soluble constituents, we recommend working with an alcohol that is between 40-60% ABV (80-120 proof). Most vodka, brandy, rum and gin falls perfectly within that range.
Can you mix glycerin and alcohol?
Mix 12 fluid ounces of alcohol with 2 teaspoons of glycerol. You can buy jugs of glycerol online, and it’s an important ingredient because it keeps the alcohol from drying out your hands.
