A look at Tincture potencyUpdated 6 months ago

Comparing the potency of an herbal tincture to that of a different delivery method (capsules, for instance) is not apples-to-apples. And it is important to note that the mg amount listed on any herbal supplement is not the only factor related to potency; it is actually just a number that indicates the weight or density of the herb used.

Potency can vary depending on whether the supplement uses the whole herb or an extract (like what is present in a tincture). An extract concentrates the active constituents, making it more potent by weight than the whole herb. For instance, an Elderberry Tincture at 1410 mg per serving might deliver more active compounds than 1410 mg of the whole herb, which is present in a capsule. 

Additionally, because the digestive system does not need to break down the whole herb, a tincture has a higher bioavailability rate. This means the active compounds assimilate into your body faster and more efficiently than a capsule, where the body has to not only break down the whole herb, but it must also filter through the fillers present in the capsule that offer no therapeutic benefits. 

In the end, it is up to the consumer to choose their method of supplements. Tinctures are great because the body does not have to break down entire herbs to use the active, therapeutic compounds - the alcohol extraction procedure already did that. This makes them easier on the digestive system and assimilated quickly to produce beneficial effects more rapidly than other methods. There is also no need for the body to work through unnecessary additives (like sugar, gelatin, silica, etc), and the long shelf life means the tinctures active compounds remain potent over a number of years.