hope so it will be helpful :)

1. BY:
PHARM D
SPRING 15

2. TINCTURES

3. Tinctures:
■ These are liquid extracts which are alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic solutions of
non-volatile drug of vegetable and chemical origin.
■ Contain 1 part of drug in 5 parts of solvent.
■ Alcohol content may vary from 25-60 % ( US proof )
Example:
1. Opium tincture : 17-21%
2. Benzoin tincture : 74-80%
■ In herbal medicine, alcoholic tinctures are made with various ethanol concentrations,
25% being the most common.
■ Alcoholic concentration could be as high as 90–95%
Example:
Tincture of calendula is commonly tinctured at either 25% or 90% ethanol.The
alcohol content also acts as a preservative. It is widely employed as solvent for extraction.

4. Selectionof solvent:
There are three basic menstrums, or solvents used to extract the chemical compounds of herbs
in tinctures, alcohol, glycerin, and vinegar.
Alcohol:
 The alcohol content acts as a preservative.
 Alcohol is the most used solvent because it can extract :
• Fats
• Resins
• Waxes
• Most alkaloids
• Some volatile oils
• Many other plant compounds.

5.  The alcohol also helps the herbs to assimilate quickly into your body
and preserves the formula , which gives it an almost indefinite shelf
life (over 5 years).
 Alcohol can be use orally as well as topically.
Oral: Orange peel tincture.
Topical: Iodine tincture
 Most drugs are only soluble in alcohol but not in water.
Example:
Diosgenin in Discorea villousa (wild yam) is only soluble in alcohol
and not in water.

6.  Using an 80 to 100 proof alcohol such as vodka, brandy provides the alcohol-water ratio you
need without having to add anything.

7. Disadvantages of Alcohol:
 Ethanol has a tendency to denature some organic compounds, rendering them so changed as to be
ineffective.
 If biologically viable component is denatured, it will reduce or negate its prior biological viability.
Common among them is:
• Proteins
• Aromatic components
Caution:
Ether and propylene glycol based tinctures are not suitable for internal consumption, although they
are used in preparations for external use, such as personal care creams and ointments.

8. Glycerin:
 Glycerin tinctures are similar to standard tinctures, the solvent employed being a solution of
glycerin (glycerin, glycerol), and water.
 Used in the formulations for non-alcoholic patients.
 A better solvent for tannins rather than alcohols.
Disadvantages:
 A poorer preservative
 Allowing for the higher concentration required, glycerin tinctures cost more only suitable for
small scale production.

9. Presence of
active
Medicated
Non-
medicated
Methods of
application
Oral
Topical
Tinctures can be classified on the basis of:

10. Tinctures can be prepared by three methods :
 Maceration
By this process we can prepare
• Tincture of Orange
• Tincture of Benzoin
• Tincture of Opium
 Percolation
We can prepare the following
• Tincture of Ginger
• Tincture of Belladona
• Tincture of Digitalis
• Tincture of Opium
 By simple solution
Can be formulated by chemical reaction or by dilution.
• Tincture of Iodine

11. Some pharmaceutical important tinctures are:
Tincture of Orange:
Sweet Orange PeelTincture is prepared from sweet orange peel , which is the outer rind
of the non-artificially colored , fresh, riped fruit.
Preparation:
• Take fresh peel of orange use 90% alcohol as menstruum.
• Maecerate for 7 days.
• Press the marc.
• Mix the strained and expressed liquid.
• Filter the impurities.
Uses:
•Employed exclusively as a flavoring agent.

12. Tincture of Benzoin:
Tincture of Benzoin is a pungent solution of benzoin resin in alcohol.
Preparation:
• Crush the benzoin in suitable particles.
• Macerate it for 24 hours with 90% alcohol.
• Do not press the marc
• Filter it to remove gummy substances or components.
• Adjust the volume by adding alcohol to the marc.
Uses:
It is used:
• As stimulant
• To treat acute and chronic laryngitis and bronchitis it is inhaled after dilution.
• Applied with advantage to irritable ulcers, bed-sores and allay itching of eczema.
• In dentistry, benzoin is used for swollen gums and herpes sores in the mouth

13.  Tincture of Opium:
Paregoric, or camphorated tincture of opium.
 Preparation:
• Crush the opium into slices so it become exposed to solvent.
• In boiling water add 90% of alcohol to precipitate the gummy substances.
• Mecerate it and press the marc.
• Filter it and standerdize the tincture.
 Uses:
It is used as:
• Narcotic
• Analgesic
• Anti-diarrheal

14.  Tincture of Iodine:
It is usually 2–7% elemental iodine, along with potassium iodide or sodium iodide,
dissolved in a mixture of ethanol and water.
 Preparation:
Iodine Tincture contains , in each 100ml
<1.8g and not >2.2g of iodine (I)
< 2.1g and not > 2.6g of sodium iodide (NaI).
• Dissolve 20g of Iodine and 24g of Sodium Iodide in 500ml of Alcohol
• Mix it properly
• Add Purified Water to make the product measure 1000mL
 Uses:
• As a disinfectant for
• Water
• Wounds
• Sanitizing surface of fruits and vegetables.

15. Storage:
• Store at cool and dry place.
• Keep it away from sunlight.
• Store in air tight containers.
• Use amber coloured bottles.

16. Labeling:
• Active ingredient used
• Label states the Latin binomial and the official name.
• Warnings
• Storage.
• Dosage
• Method of application.
• If it is for topical application do mention
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY

17. References:
https://oddsandhens.com/2014/01/23/how-to-make-a-lavender-
herbal-tincture/
http://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/kings/styrax-benz_tinc.html
http://www.newdruginfo.com/pharmacopeia/usp28/v28230/usp28nf23
s0_m58748.htm
 http://www.ehow.com/how_5605579_make-tincture-iodine.html