How to Use and Take Tinctures

Using Tinctures

Making Tinctures Part of Your Wellness Routine

Tinctures have always held a special level of importance at RAW Forest Foods, and not only due to the role Pine Pollen Tinctures played in our founder’s recovery during a serious period of illness. It's due to tinctures (specifically a feverfew tincture taken for migraine headaches his junior year of high school) providing his first foray into herbalism and the power of plants to heal.

And while tinctures have been part of Ryan’s daily practice for nearly 30 years, they remain a new language—an unspoken vernacular—for most. Our Using Tinctures guide serves as your introduction into using tinctures, providing detailed practical guidance into measuring and administering them, as well as strategies for integrating them into your daily wellness routines, tips to maximize absorption, and information about storage and shelf life.

Tinctures as Liquid Plant Allies

Ubiquitous in many practices of herbalism, from extraction to storage to administration, tinctures are one of the oldest and most reliable ways to work with herbs. At the most basic level, tinctures are liquid extracts, traditionally made by steeping plant material in high-proof alcohol, which draws out a wide range of beneficial compounds and preserves them in a stable, easy-to-use form.*

At RAW Forest Foods, we craft our tinctures with the highest level of precision. Using a dual-stage extraction process, combining certified gluten-free alcohol with a 7-stage purified water, we both macerate (steep for extraction) and decoct our tinctures to capture both alcohol-soluble and water-soluble compounds for a broader, full-spectrum profile that is simply impossible to achieve using standard single-stage extraction.*

Once you learn how to use them, tinctures can quickly and naturally become ingrained into your routine—whether as part of a morning ritual, a pre-workout routine, an evening elixir, or just a dose before bed. Each tincture is approachable, reliable, and designed to support your wellness practice, becoming your liquid plant ally.

Why Choose Tinctures

Tinctures are a trusted, time-honored way to experience the full benefits of plants. At RAW Forest Foods, our tinctures are crafted with precision using certified gluten-free alcohol and 7-stage purified water, ensuring each drop delivers consistent strength and purity.

Rapid Absorption – Already in liquid form, tinctures bypass the digestive breakdown required for capsules or powders, allowing the plant compounds to enter your system quickly and efficiently.*
High Concentration – A small serving delivers a meaningful amount of plant material, making tinctures both effective and economical over time.*
Long Shelf Life – Alcohol naturally preserves the extract, maintaining the integrity of the plant’s compounds for years when stored properly.
Full-Spectrum Extraction – Our dual-stage process captures both water- and alcohol-soluble constituents, so each drop provides a complete profile of the plant’s benefits.*

Pine Pollen Tinctures and the Phytoandrogenic Hormones

Pine Pollen is unique because it contains phytoandrogens, which are plant compounds that are structurally similar to the androgenic hormones naturally found in your body. These include:

Androstenedione – A naturally occurring compound in Pine Pollen, it helps support strength and sustained energy levels throughout the day.*
Androsterone – This compound plays a role in male androgenic health, contributing to physical traits such as muscle tone and overall body composition.*
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) – As a key hormone precursor, DHEA supports healthy aging and overall hormone function.*
Testosterone – Found in Pine Pollen, this hormone is linked to maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and a healthy libido.*

Our dual-stage extraction process ensures these compounds are fully available and easily absorbed by the body. The alcohol in the tincture acts as a natural carrier, helping deliver these benefits efficiently with each serving.*

For a deeper look at how pine pollen’s proandrogenic and adaptogenic properties can support your wellness, check out The Proandrogenic and Adaptogenic Properties of Pine Pollen .

How to Use This Form of Herbalism

The simplest way to take a tincture is three full droppers (about 3 mL), once or twice a day. For best absorption, take it on an empty stomach—30 minutes before a meal or two hours after.

To make this easy to follow, here are some practical tips for measuring, consuming, and getting the most from your tincture:*

Measure Your Tincture – Three full droppers (about 3 mL), once or twice daily, is a standard serving.*
Add to Water or Your Favorite Beverage – Mix with one to two ounces of liquid and drink in one smooth sip. This ensures consistent use and supports absorption.*
No Sublingual Use – Do not hold under the tongue. Drinking it ensures consistent absorption.*

<p>Start With Cool Water</p> — Start With Cool Water

<p>Measure Your Tincture</p> — Measure Your Tincture

<p>Stir Thoroughly</p> — Stir Thoroughly

<p>Drink and Enjoy</p> — Drink and Enjoy

Dispensing and Measuring Tinctures

Proper Dispensing

Shake the tincture bottle well before use.
Fully submerge the pipette before squeezing.
Squeeze and release the bulb once per dose—no need to double-pump.
Follow the dosage instructions on the product label.

If you’re just starting, begin with a slightly smaller dose and adjust gradually.

What Does “One Dropperful” Mean?

This is one of the most common questions we hear. To measure with confidence, remember:

The rubber bulb is what measures the liquid, not the glass pipette.
One full squeeze of the bulb draws approximately 1 mL of tincture, which is roughly 30 drops.
The pipette may not appear full—that’s normal. The volume comes from the rubber bulb, not the length of the glass.
This method works consistently across all bottle sizes, from 2 oz. to 4 oz.

Remember: Regardless of dropper size, one dropperful = 30 drops = 1 mL.

<p>One Dropperful = 30 Drops</p> — One Dropperful = 30 Drops

Product Use Recommendation

Crafting Tonic Latté Elixirs

RAW Forest Foods tinctures blend seamlessly with coffee, including our Twelve Rivers Functional Mushroom MycoMedic Elixir Tincture with Spiced Winter Chai essential oils. This ritual turns your morning cup into a nourishing, herb-rich experience, making botanical nourishment a simple and consistent part of your day.

Best Practices for Optimal Results

Follow these guidelines to support consistency and maximize benefits.

Stay Consistent – Take your tincture at the same time each day to support cumulative benefits.
Split the Dose if Needed – Two-thirds in the morning and one-third in the evening can be helpful, especially for those sensitive to alcohol.*
Use on an Empty Stomach – For best absorption, take at least two hours after eating and wait 30 minutes before your next meal.*
Soften the Alcohol Taste – Add tincture to a heat-safe glass, pour freshly boiled water over it, and allow it to cool. This helps some of the alcohol evaporate.
Work with your Circadian Rhythm – Adaptogenic and proandrogenic herbs are often most effective when taken in the morning, aligning with the body’s natural hormone cycles.*

Tincture Shelf Life, Storage, and Longevity

Tinctures are among the most shelf-stable forms of herbal support, thanks to their alcohol base. When properly crafted and stored, they can remain potent and effective for years.

The main point of wear over time is usually the rubber dropper, which may degrade or crack. As long as the tincture is kept in a cool, dark place and the dropper is intact—or replaced—the extract maintains its strength.

To make sure your tincture stays at its best, follow these simple guidelines:

Store in a cool, dark place.
Keep the bottle tightly sealed between uses.
Replace the dropper if it shows signs of wear.

At RAW Forest Foods, our tinctures are crafted with precision, using Certified Gluten-Free Alcohol, 7-stage Purified Water, and UV-protected packaging to preserve strength and maintain high-quality standards.*