Anyone with even the slightest interest in alternative medicine will probably have come across the term “tincture” before. No, this isn’t something out of Professor Snape’s potions class; tinctures are a very real & very traditional alcohol-based extraction technique used by herbalists. Interestingly, cannabis tinctures were extremely popular with cannabis users in North America before the US placed a ban on the herb.
Now that medical marijuana has gone mainstream, doctors are getting interested in incorporating cannabis tinctures into their practice. Some recreational users are also touting the many benefits of using tinctures as opposed to other forms of cannabis.
Let’s go over exactly what a cannabis tincture is and why you might want to consider trying one. Below, we’ll also explain the easiest way you could make your very own cannabis tincture at home.
What Is A Cannabis Tincture?
As mentioned in the intro, a tincture refers to a liquid medicine that uses high-proof alcohol to extract healing compounds from an herb. In the case of cannabis, manufacturers use alcohol to extract the highest amount of decarboxylated cannabinoids, aromatic terpenes, and antioxidant compounds.
Traditionally, tinctures are sold in glass bottles with a dropper that's measured in milliliters. This dropper top makes tinctures extremely easy to dose, especially when compared with smokable cannabis and edibles. Cannabis tinctures also tend to have a more potent physiological effect than traditional smoking, which means you can use less product and still get a soothing high.
Since different strains of cannabis have different chemical compositions, not all tinctures are created equally. It’s important to look at the cannabinoid and terpene count of whatever cannabis tincture you’re interested in before purchasing.
Side Note On Decarboxylation
Before moving on, we should briefly mention what the heck “decarboxylation” means for any newbies out there. In a nutshell, this fancy word refers to activating cannabinoids through the use of intense heat. You see, all those glorious cannabinoids are in a non-activated acidic state in the raw cannabis plant. It takes the heat of decarboxylation to transform, for instance, CBDA into the CBD we know and love today.
If you don’t take the time to decarboxylate your cannabinoids before putting them in a tincture, then you won’t derive any healing benefits. By the way, all cannabinoids and terpenes have different boiling points, so it’s crucial to set you decarboxylation temperature not too high and not too low. But don’t worry, we’ll talk more about this later when we get into making tinctures at home.
The Benefits Associated With Cannabis Tinctures
The major reason herbalists have traditionally preferred cannabis tinctures is because they are so easy to dose. Patients can ensure they are getting the same amount of cannabis every day simply by measuring out their dropper of the liquid tincture.
Besides their ease of dosing, tinctures are one of the most bioavailable forms of cannabis. This is especially true when patients take their tincture sublingually (i.e. under the tongue). Since sublingual administration bypasses the digestive process, it allows more cannabis to directly enter the bloodstream. Usually, it only takes users about 15-25 minutes to notice the effects of a cannabis tincture when taken sublingually.
If taking cannabis tinctures sublingually isn’t your thing, then you could also use tinctures to make some great cannabis-infused edibles or drinks. Just expect the effects of your tincture to be prolonged and reduced when taking it in edible form.
As long as you keep your tinctures in a cool, dark place, they have an extremely long shelf life. Some people have been using the same tincture for months with superb effect. Just be sure to check that the alcohol doesn’t completely evaporate in your tincture because this could change the product’s potency.
For all of these reasons, many health experts believe tinctures are an excellent place for new users to experiment with cannabis. Since tinctures tend to have a noticeably fast effect on the body, you’ll be able to easily gauge how your body reacts to different amounts of cannabis.
One Con Of Using Cannabis Tincture
Like everything else in life, there are also cons associated with using cannabis tinctures. Perhaps the biggest drawback of these liquid medicines is the taste. Remember that these products are made with high-proof alcohol, so you will have to put up with that strong taste as you down your dropper.
Although not always the case, some patients also complain that tinctures cause sleep-related issues like insomnia. If you have an adverse reaction to a tincture, then you should discontinue use immediately and speak with your physician.
How To Make Cannabis Tinctures
Before you even begin to make your cannabis tincture, you need to decarboxylate your cannabis. As you’ve (hopefully) already learned, cannabinoids require exposure to intense heat in order to turn from an acidic into an activated form.
Thankfully, it’s far less difficult to decarboxylate your cannabis than it is to pronounce the word “decarboxylate.”
● Grind about a half ounce of cannabis flower
● Place them on a pan with aluminum foil.
● Put this pan in your oven and bake for just under two hours at 230°F.
Now that your cannabis is activated, it’s time to make your tincture. There are many tincture techniques floating around online, but here’s a basic method that doesn’t require too many fancy tools.
● First, place your cannabis inside a glass mason jar and then fill the container with a high-content clear alcohol.
● Next, place your mason jar in the refrigerator for at least two days to help separate out undesirable compounds. You should give the cannabis mixture a little shake each day while you inspect the separation process.
● After no more than two weeks, it’s time to break out a good strainer or a cheesecloth and filter your tincture into another glass jar. During this step, it’s a good idea to wear a pair of gloves so you could press out all that lovely liquid through your strainer.
● Lastly, place your tincture into glass bottles with droppers. For long-lasting results, be sure to store these bottles in a cool, dark area of your home.
How To Dose Cannabis Tinctures
Honestly, there’s no “standard dosage” when it comes to using any form of cannabis. You need to tailor your daily cannabis dosage to your specific needs. It’s best to consult a doctor experienced with prescribing medicinal cannabis to figure out the best dosage for your condition.
Of course, not everyone has the luxury of working with a doctor skilled in cannabis dosage nowadays. For those out there who are interested in trying a cannabis tincture on their own, start with the lowest dose possible and see how it affects your body.
As a good rule of thumb, begin with a 1mL dose of cannabis tincture and only increase the dosage by 1mL per day until you reach the desired effects. Remember, you should experience physiological effects only about 15-25 minutes if you’re taking it sublingually. Warning signs you’ve taken too much of the tincture might include dry mouth, paranoia, sweating, and nausea.
Are Tinctures Right For You?
By now you should have a clear understanding of why people prefer tinctures over other forms of cannabis. As long as you could get over the strong alcohol taste, cannabis tinctures are potent, easy to dose, and highly versatile. Even if you don’t want to use tinctures sublingually, they will serve you well in edibles, drinks, or, heck, even salad dressings. Plus, even the most clueless of chemists can make a high-quality cannabis tincture at home. If you’ve never tried a cannabis tincture before, then perhaps it’s high time (no pun intended) you gave it a shot.
