In alcohol (ethanol), both fat-soluble and water-soluble substances can be dissolved from the herb. Therefore, ethanol is considered the most effective medium for extracting all essential oils and maximizing the herb's potency.
Another advantage of ethanol is that the substances become easier for the body to absorb. With an ethanol tincture, absorption occurs partly in the oral cavity and the rest in the stomach, where all essential oils are already dissolved and ready to be absorbed.
Alcohol promotes a direct transport of the tincture into the body, and the ethanol does not pass through the liver to the same extent. This contributes to the long shelf life of ethanol tinctures.
Furthermore, ethanol tinctures have advantages compared to herbal pills. Herbal pills contain finely ground herbs in a capsule, which pass through the stomach before dissolving. Unfortunately, not all active substances in the herb are released in the stomach before reaching the intestine. Therefore, not all substances are effectively absorbed by the body.
It is therefore common to dissolve dried herbs in hot water before intake or in ethanol. In this way, the body comes into contact with the essential oils that are already dissolved and can absorb them more effectively.