Valerian (organic Extract)

A mother tincture is a liquid extract obtained by cold maceration of fresh (or more rarely dried) plants in alcohol, glycerin or vinegar.

At Val'Heureuse, we carry out our macerations in alcohol, and they last at least 4 weeks. This process allows us to extract and preserve the phytocomplex (the majority of the active ingredients) of the plant for a long time.

Manufacturing

• The mother tincture is obtained by macerating the plant in alcohol. It contains active ingredients soluble in water and alcohol.
• Essential oil is extracted by steam distillation (or cold pressing for citrus fruits). This process only recovers the volatile and fragrant substances of the plant.

Concentration

• The mother tincture is less concentrated than an essential oil but more concentrated than an infusion. It allows for a gentler and more comprehensive action, as it retains a wider variety of the plant's components.
• Essential oil is an ultra-powerful concentrate . A single drop of essential oil can represent the equivalent of several dozen cups of herbal tea or numerous doses of mother tincture.

Usage and Safety

• Route of administration: Mother tinctures are specifically designed to be ingested (diluted in water). Essential oils, although sometimes usable orally under medical supervision, are more often used in diffusion or topical application (diluted in a vegetable oil).
• Precautions:
  Essential oils present a much higher risk of toxicity (liver, nervous system) if misused. Mother tinctures, although containing alcohol, are generally easier to dose for daily internal use.

Mother tinctures can be used as the basis for homeopathic formulations. In homeopathy, extremely diluted substances are used (e.g., 9CH, 15CH), whereas in herbal medicine, the mother tincture is a concentrated form . It is only diluted at the time of administration, in water or fruit juice, to ensure the correct dosage.

Oral use: Please note that our tinctures are more concentrated than other commercially available tinctures. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the labels. The drops should be diluted in half a glass of water, preferably between meals.

Duration: Highly dependent on the concentrate. Some are for occasional use, others are only truly effective as a course of treatment.

A course of treatment usually lasts 3 weeks (21 to 25 days), followed by a one-week break before resuming if necessary.

There are contraindications which are indicated on the label of our products.

• Sensitive individuals: Not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people undergoing alcohol withdrawal without medical advice. However, it is possible to eliminate the alcohol by taking the drops in hot water (the alcohol will evaporate quickly).
• Interactions: They may interact with certain medications. Consult a healthcare professional.
• Allergies: Our concentrates are formulated with plants, some of which may pose risks to people with allergies.

Duration: A sealed mother tincture can generally be kept for up to 5 years according to regulations.

Our concentrates all carry an expiry date based on stability studies specific to our range.

Storage conditions:
It must be stored away from light, heat, and humidity to preserve the active ingredients. Once opened, it is recommended to use it within one year for optimal effectiveness.