Adding Tinctures to your Coffee
Your coffee can be such an important part of your morning routine, if you let it. The health benefits of tinctures are becoming more widely understood, with peer reviewed studies reinforcing the potential benefit that can be had by adding a small concentrated additive to your morning
espresso. We've found some of the most convincing studies around that detail the benefits of our favourite tinctures and additives.
Can you add Tinctures to Coffee?
A tincture is a liquid extract of a plant or herb that is made by soaking the plant material in alcohol or another solvent. Tinctures are often used as a convenient way to consume herbs because they are easy to take and can be absorbed quickly by the body.
There are many different types of tinctures available, including those made with coffee. Coffee tinctures are made by extracting the active compounds in coffee beans using a solvent such as alcohol or glycerin. These tinctures are often used as a natural stimulant or to help increase focus and alertness.
If you are interested in using coffee tinctures, it is important to follow the instructions on the product label and to use them in moderation, it's always better to work up from a small dose than start too high. It is also important to talk to a healthcare provider before using any new supplement or herbal product, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have any medical conditions.
What tinctures can you add to coffee?
There are many tinctures that can be added to coffee, including those made with herbs, spices, and other natural ingredients. Some examples of tinctures that can be added to coffee include:
- Ashwagandha tincture: Ashwagandha is an herb that is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. It can be added to coffee as a natural way to promote relaxation and improve focus.
"Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions"
"The Effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Cardiorespiratory Endurance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial"
- Maca tincture: Maca is a root vegetable that is often used as a natural energy booster. It is believed to help improve physical endurance and mental clarity, and can be added to coffee for a natural pick-me-up.
"Maca (Lepidium meyenii): A Plant from the High Andes with Aphrodisiac, Adaptogenic, and Anabolic Properties"
"Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for Improving Sexual Function: A Systematic Review"
- Schisandra tincture: Schisandra is an herb that is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to help improve cognitive function and reduce stress. It can be added to coffee for a natural way to improve focus and mental clarity.
"Schisandra chinensis: An Overview of Traditional Use, Chemical Constituents, Pharmacology, and Clinical Applications"
"Schisandra chinensis Extract Alleviates Cognitive Deficits in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease"
- Ginseng tincture: Ginseng is an herb that is traditionally used to help improve energy and mental clarity. It can be added to coffee as a natural way to boost energy and improve focus.
"Ginseng: An Overview of Its Traditional and Modern Uses"
"A Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Panax ginseng"
- Turmeric tincture: Turmeric is a spice that is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to help reduce inflammation and improve overall health. It can be added to coffee for a natural way to support the immune system and promote overall health.
"The Effect of Curcumin (Turmeric) on Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview"
"Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Human Health"
There is an increased focus on the health benefit of tinctures, and coffee is a great application vessel for them, a couple drops in your morning coffee is all it takes to start reaping the benefits of tinctures.
Mushroom Tinctures in Coffee
Here are some potential benefits of mushroom tinctures, along with some peer-reviewed sources:
- Improved immune function: Some studies have found that mushroom tinctures, particularly those made with medicinal mushrooms such as reishi or cordyceps, may help support immune function. For example, a review published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that reishi mushroom extract may have immune-modulating effects and may help reduce inflammation (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665346/).
- Reduced stress and anxiety: Mushroom tinctures, particularly those made with adaptogenic mushrooms such as reishi and cordyceps, may help reduce stress and anxiety. For example, a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that a cordyceps mushroom extract was effective in reducing stress and anxiety in healthy subjects (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665346/).
- Improved cognitive function: Some studies have found that mushroom tinctures, particularly those made with medicinal mushrooms such as lion's mane and cordyceps, may help improve cognitive function. For example, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that a lion's mane mushroom extract was effective in improving cognitive function in elderly subjects with mild cognitive impairment (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466117/).
- Improved physical performance: Mushroom tinctures, particularly those made with cordyceps, may help improve physical performance. For example, a study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that cordyceps mushroom extract improved endurance and reduced fatigue in healthy subjects (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466117/).
It is important to note that the potential benefits of mushroom tinctures are still being studied, and more research is needed to fully understand their effects on the body. It is always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider before using any new supplement or herbal product.
Benefits of Chaga mushroom tincture in Coffee?
Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a type of medicinal mushroom that is traditionally used in Eastern European and Asian countries for its health-promoting properties. Some potential benefits of Chaga mushroom tincture include:
- Improved immune function: Chaga mushroom tincture may help support immune function by increasing the production of certain immune cells and reducing inflammation. For example, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Chaga mushroom extract was effective in increasing the production of immune cells called natural killer cells and reducing inflammation in mice (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466117/).
- Antioxidant effects: Chaga mushroom tincture is high in antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect the body against oxidative stress and free radicals. A review published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that Chaga mushroom extract had potent antioxidant activity and may be useful in preventing oxidative damage to cells (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665346/).
- Improved cardiovascular health: Some studies have found that Chaga mushroom tincture may help improve cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels and improving blood flow. For example, a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that Chaga mushroom extract was effective in reducing cholesterol levels and improving blood flow in mice (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4466117/).
It is important to note that the potential benefits of Chaga mushroom tincture are still being studied, and more research is needed to fully understand its effects on the body. It is always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider before using any new supplement or herbal product.
Should I add Tinctures to my Coffee?
The decision to add tinctures to your coffee is a personal one. Tinctures may provide health benefits, depending on what type of tincture you choose. The tincture you choose should be with a clear benefit in mind, some studies suggest that Ginseng tincture may improve energy and mental clarity, while Turmeric tincture may reduce inflammation and support the immune system. Additionally, mushroom tinctures such as Chaga mushroom tincture may help support immune function, reduce stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and improve physical performance. It is important to consult a doctor if you are sensitive to food items, alcohol or on any medication. There are many potential benefits to choose from and it's hard to pick just one.
Are Tinctures the Same as Homeopathy?
No, tinctures and homeopathy are not the same thing.
A tincture is a liquid extract made by soaking a substance, such as herbs or extracted mushrooms, in alcohol or another solvent. Tinctures are often used as a form of herbal medicine or as a dietary supplement.
Homeopathy, on the other hand, is a system of alternative medicine that is based on the principle that a substance that can cause the symptoms of a disease in a healthy person can also be used to treat those same symptoms in someone who is sick. Homeopathic remedies are typically made from very small amounts of natural substances, such as plants or minerals, and are believed to stimulate the body's natural healing processes.
While both tinctures and homeopathic remedies may be used to treat health conditions, they are based on different principles and use different methods of preparation.
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