FAQs

1. What are tinctures/herbal extracts?

Alcohol extractions (known as tinctures) are used in herbal medicines as they are the most efficient and strongest way of extracting many of the herb’s compounds. Herbal extracts are made with fresh or dried herbs combined with 80 proof vodka and left to extract for a period of 6-8 weeks. This process will extract natural medicinal properties used to help relieve a wide range of health issues or to be taken daily to support an overall feeling of well being.

2. Are herbal extracts safe for children?

All herbal extracts made by Four Hearts Creations are intended for adult use and can be taken by children at your discretion. That being said, not all herbs are safe for children and should be thoroughly researched before being given to them. You can also feel free to contact us and we can assist you with any questions you may have regarding specific herbs and their use and safety.

3. But they have alcohol in them. I'm not sure I feel comfortable taking them myself or giving them to my child.

If you aren't comfortable taking a tincture with alcohol or giving it to your child, you have a few options. 

• Boil drinking water. Pour about 1-2 oz of it into a cup and drop the designated amount of herbal extract into the cup. Let it sit for a few minutes. Either sip this or pour it into juice or drink. The boiling water should evaporate off the alcohol from the herbal extract.
• Purchase a Glycerite. A glycerite is a fluid extract of an herb that uses glycerin as its method of extraction instead of alcohol. If you prefer this option and see that we don't offer the specific herb you would like as a glycerite, feel free to contact us and we may be able to make an extraction as a special order specifically for you.

4. How do I take an herbal extract?

Herbal extracts are best taken diluted in a small amount of water, tea or juice. Simply squirt the extract into a small amount of liquid in a cup or put a small amount of water in your mouth and squirt the extract into it. If you are looking for a faster effect, you may place a few drops of the herbal extract under your tongue and hold it there for a few moments before swallowing. We don't recommend this for taking all doses. Just in a situation of urgency as it will burn a bit. Our tinctures contain 40% alcohol; undiluted alcohol is strong tasting and can be irritating to the sensitive tissues in the mouth.

5. How often should I take an herbal extract?

Most herbal compounds are cleared from the body within 4 hours, so it is best to take herbal extracts 2-4 times a day rather than a large dose once a day. In acute situations such as colds, they can be taken in smaller doses every hour or two, for a short period of time.

6. How much can I take?

Follow the directions on the bottle unless you have information from a good source that tells you otherwise. Suggested use recommendations are intended to be well within safe ranges for adults. Suggested amounts are for 150 lb. adults. Smaller or larger individuals may decrease or increase dose as appropriate.

The maximum safe amount also varies between herbs. Most times larger quantities can be used for short periods of time. With a few exceptions, total of all tinctures taken should not exceed more than 1 tablespoon per day when taken on a daily basis. 

Another method would be to start with a single drop and add to it until desired results are felt. While this method may take a bit more time, it assures the user that they will find a more personalized dosage that suits them and their needs.

When the adult dose is 2 droppersful (60 drops), the following is recommended for children:

Age -- Dosage
Younger than 3 months -- 2 drops
3 to 6 months -- 3 drops
6 to 9 months -- 4 drops
9 to 12 months -- 5 drops
12 to 18 months -- 7 drops
18 to 24 months -- 8 drops
2 to 3 years -- 10 drops
3 to 4 years -- 12 drops
4 to 6 years -- 15 drops
6 to 9 years -- 24 drops
9 to 12 years -- 30 drops

Other ways to determine dosage:
Young's Rule - Add 12 to the child's age. Divide the child's age by this total. Example: dosage for a 4 year old: 4 divided by 16 (4+12) = .25, or 1/4 of the adult dosage.

Cowling's Rule - Divide the number of the child's next birthday by 24. Example: dosage for a child who is 3, turning 4 would be: 4 divided by 24 = .16, or 1/6 of the adult dosage.

7. How much alcohol is in your herbal extracts?

Our herbal extracts are made with 80 proof alcohol, making it 40% alcohol. The amount you get in one dose is very small. If you take 2 droppers of echinacea tincture with a 40% alcohol concentration you are getting about 1 ml of alcohol. This is about 1/40th of the amount of alcohol in an 8 oz. glass of wine.

 8. Is it ok to take herbal extracts while pregnant or nursing?

We recommend that you ALWAYS consult a physician before taking any supplements while pregnant or nursing. Not all herbs have been proven safe for babies in the womb and any herbs taken may pass through breastmilk to feeding babies. Many herbs also have powerful actions and may cross through the placenta to the baby, affect hormonal balance or stimulate early labor.

9. I'm on medications. Is it safe to take herbal extracts?

We recommend that you ALWAYS consult a physician before taking any herbal remedies while on medications as some of them can have negative interactions with specific medications such as blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, antidepressants, anti-coagulants, birth control, blood thinners and sedatives. DO NOT take St Johns Wort if you are on any medications as it speeds up the livers processing of medications causing them to be passed through your system faster and deemed ineffective.

10. Can herbs cause allergic reactions?

People with severe ragweed allergies may react to chamomile, calendula, echinacea, feverfew, blessed thistle, elecampane, spilanthes or yarrow because these herbs are related to ragweed. An allergic reaction to these herbs is less likely with a tincture than if you were to take a capsule or drink it as a tea.

11. Why liquid herbal extracts?

Herbal extracts are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, giving faster results than taking capsules or drinking herbal teas

12. How long before my herbal extract expires?

Herbal extracts have very long shelf lives because of their alcohol content. When stored in cool, dark locations they have been known to last as long as 10 years. They do not need to be refrigerated but can be if preferred. As time passes, they will become less and less potent. I personally recommend using them within  4 years for best results.