FAQs About Our Tinctures

Here are 10 common questions about our topical herbal tincture for pain relief:

What specific types of pain is this tincture most effective for? Topical herbal tinctures are best suited for acute and temporary inflammation. Common causes of this type are muscle soreness, bumps, bruises, over-exertion, muscle strains, exercise, post-surgery, and similar. However, it has been proven effective for superficial and beginning stages of arthritis such as one would experience in the hands and feet.

What are all the ingredients, and what does each active herb do? Our Imperial Blend Formula has 44 herbs, mostly organically sourced, with various effects. Some active herbs are Cinnamon, Angelica, Marigold, XiangFu (Cyperus), and Peach Kernel (Tao Ren). It is important to note that Formulations typically include baseline, middle line, and harmonizing herbs, which, when combined, complement each other for different purposes. When considering TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) tincture formulations one must look at the combined herbs, and not just singular herbs to understand their best use.

How quickly should I expect to feel relief, and how long do the effects typically last?  If using the liquid tincture, you can expect to feel effects immediately, these effects will change over time. For example, as soon as the liquid touches the skin you can expect to feel a cooling sensation. As the liquid dries you may begin to feel warmth, or a sensation of herbs “sinking in” to the skin. Within 30 minutes you may experience a release of tension or feel more mobility in the area. Please note these effects vary by formula and each person will have a different experience.

For lotion applications, the effects may be milder at the beginning and slowly become more noticeable. After about 10 minutes, both liquid and lotion have probably reached their maximum penetration and most noticeable effect.
These effects can also be lengthened when using the liquid tincture with the “soaking” method.

How do I apply it, how much should I use, and how often can I reapply it in a day? Application varies depending on the presentation: lotion vs liquid. Both go directly onto the skin. One should start with a single pump on a limited area when using for the first time. If no reaction, then reapply as desired.

Are there any potential side effects, like skin irritation, redness, or a burning sensation? Is it safe for sensitive skin? As with any topical product, if one is prone to sensitivity, please test a small area first. While it’s uncommon to have a reaction, it does happen. Naturally, if any irritation, itching, or similar reaction occurs -please discontinue use immediately, and wash the area with water.

Can I use this if I am pregnant, breastfeeding, or on other medications (especially blood thinners or other pain relievers)? In small quantities and for limited periods of time there should be no reactions. We never advise using any tincture in large quantities for more than 7 days. If you are taking prescription medication, please check with your doctor about potential reactions with medicine if you plan on using the formulations for more than just a few days.

What does it feel and smell like? Is it greasy, sticky, or does it absorb quickly into the skin? Both the lotion and the liquid tincture dry quickly. The liquid tincture is alcohol based and will dry within seconds. It’s consistency is similar to vanilla flavoring which comes in bottles (like for baking). It will dry clean with no residue.

The lotion also dries quickly and leaves no oily residue or uncomfortable layer on the skin. However, if you re-wet the area, you’ll definitely feel the plant-based lotion reactivate.

As for smell, we absolutely love the fragrance of blended herbs! Earthy, robust, sweet, natural.

What is the base of your tincture (e.g., alcohol, glycerin, witch hazel, oil), and why did you choose it? Our tinctures are herbal extracted (by soaking) in an alcohol base. Our preferred alcohol is vodka.  We do not use oils or glycerin. **Please do not ingest this product. It is not suitable to be taken internally.

How should I store the tincture, and what is its shelf life? Both lotion and liquid should last considerably. The liquid will last indefinitely (years) as long as it is not contaminated and is kept out of light. The lotion is recommended to be fully consumed within 12 months of purchase.

What makes your product different from other pain relief topicals on the market, like those with CBD, menthol, or capsaicin? Our product is especially effective due to the combination of herbs -the formula, plus the extraction method. Since we do not use any “fillers”, animal products, chemical additives, or other, the body can readily absorb and process the herbal benefits. It’s the combination of world herbal medicine practices and formulas which provide the best results. We do not rely on one single herb to do all the work; it’s the combination of their benefits which provides multiple layers of healing -for the quickest and most effective results.

Thank you for reading our FAQs. If we missed any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.