Squeeze the dropper top of the tincture bottle. Place the correct dosage (drops or squeeze) under your tongue. Hold for 15-30 seconds or until saliva begins to build up. Then you can swallow normally or drink water. This is called sublingual ingestion. Tinctures are designed to be taken sublingually because it bypasses the gastrointestinal system and processing through the liver, where the chemicals in the tincture may be partially broken down.

Tinctures can also be swallowed with water or placed in cold / room temperature drinks. Placing the tincture in hot drinks may damage the constituents of the tincture before ingestion.

None of our products require refrigeration, with the exception of our fresh herbed salt. They are either fully dried, or fully shelf stable. Tinctures have an indefinite shelf life and can be safely stored for years in a cool, dark place. Dried herbs naturally wane in potency over time, but because our herbs are freshly dried from raw materials every season, they will be good for 2-3 years.

Tinctures are time tested as generally safe for children. Before reading further, know that Polycultured recommends consulting a qualified pediatric healthcare practitioner on any health issue. Dosages should always be adjusted for age and size. To find the dosage, divide the child’s approximate weight by 150 [Ex: 50lb child / 150 = 1/3 of a single dose]

Not all tinctures are safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding, but many of them are. Visit our herb info page for information about each herb, particularly when ordering blends from us. If a blend is contraindicated for pregnancy or breastfeeding, some of its ingredients may not be, so an alternative is to order the herbs with solid safety profiles for pregnancy or breastfeeding as singles. Keep in mind that babies can receive the tincture through the milk generated from the breast, so they do not need added tincture to bottle fed breast milk, as the body will regulate the milk on its own. Adding a small amount of tincture to formula milk is another option. To do more research on the use of herbs during pregnancy and breastfeeding, do an online search for “____ herb traditional medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding”. Most herbs haven’t been studied in a clinical setting, so most conventional sources will caution against herbal use. Traditional modalities likely have a longer history of use of the herb and thus it is better to start your research there.

Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner about a specific condition. Tinctures can be taken all different ways, but some are recommended to pause periodically because of side effects. One example of this is licorice, which has significant cardiovascular side effects if taken continuously. Many herbs can be taken continuously and have a safe track record for long term use. You may also consider cycling on and off of herbs at different phases of the menstrual cycle for maximum benefits. Others take tinctures that stimulate the brain in the morning, or take tinctures that help with sleep in the evening. It’s all about building a relationship with the herb, understanding how to use it, and what works for your unique body. Herbal pharmacopeias also have more helpful information about specific herbs and how long they should be used for. Check our herb info section for more specifics.

Unfortunately, these products are made by hand and take time to extract. For these reasons we cannot guarantee express shipping. Please keep in mind that our farm is abroad and that supply chain issues as well as customs may delay shipments which is completely outside of our control. We are working on your order with love and care!

Your tinctures may arrive anywhere from 2-4 weeks after your order is placed. Look out for a tracking notification from Polycultured in the email you provided in your order.

We fulfill orders from our farm and workshop, when your shipping label is created. Then the orders are boxed together and shipped to the USA. The tracking number will not update until it reaches the United States Postal Service mail facility, which may make it appear as if there is a delay in your shipment. It is working its way to you and will be updated as soon as it reaches the local mail. From there, orders take 1-5 days to arrive, depending on your location.

We currently ship worldwide, where our products are legally permitted. Please check your local laws before purchasing. We must fill out a customs form if you do not live in the United States (and their colonized territories) or in Europe. More taxes may be applied before your receive your shipment.