Comparatively Speaking: Liquid, Soft and Dry Extracts vs. Tinctures

By: Anthony J. O'Lenick, Jr., Siltech LLC

Posted: November 23, 2010

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Tinctures are liquid preparations usually obtained from dried vegetable or animal matter. For some preparations, the matter to be extracted may undergo a preliminary treatment such as inactivation of enzymes, grinding or defatting. Tinctures are prepared by maceration, percolation or other suitable, validated methods using alcohol of suitable concentration. Tinctures may also be obtained by dissolving or diluting extracts in alcohol of suitable concentration.

Tinctures are usually obtained using either 1:10 or 1:5 drug to extraction solvent and they are usually clear. A slight sediment may form on standing, which is acceptable as long as the composition is not changed significantly.

The formulator of a personal care product should be interested in the type of extract they use in their formulation; not only will the selection determine the solvent in which the extract is delivered, it will determine what is extracted in the process.