Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle)

Our tinctures stand out due to the premium quality of herbs we use. Crafted at a concentration of 1:4, our herbal tinctures prioritize both potency and effectiveness.

Unlike many other companies that employ a uniform alcohol percentage across all products, our approach is nuanced. We tailor the alcohol concentration for each herb based on the distinct medicinal properties of the plant.

This strategy reflects our commitment to a sophisticated extraction of medicinal compounds, effectively setting Apex Botanicals apart in the realm of herbal tinctures.

Herbal tinctures are generally taken on an empty stomach (1 hour before and after meals). They can be taken directly or added to 1oz of water if the taste is hard to swallow.

Dosing of herbal tinctures will generally vary from 1 drop once per day up to 1 tsp 3 times per day. When taking anti-microbial herbal tinctures, starting at a lower dose and increasing slowly is the general rule of thumb.

*Be sure to speak with your primary care provider to determine the correct dose for your needs.

The length of time a tincture should be taken will vary considerably based on your state of health, the infection / symptom you’re trying to treat and other medications or treatments you are concurrently taking.

Most people with chronic tick-borne infections take an herbal tincture for between 3 months and 2 years.

As a general rule, its recommended to take an herbal tincture for at least 1 month to see the best results.

Generally speaking, it is safe for children to consume herbal tinctures, but dosing should be adjusted. Refrence 'Clarks Rule' for further information.

*Always consult your primary care provider before starting a new protocol or giving your child herbal tinctures.

Some herbs are strictly contraindicated in pregnancy and should be avoided. We do our best to indicate this on the product information page but are not held liable for any errors or omissions.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult your primary care provider before consuming any herbal tinctures.

Interactions of herbal tinctures with medications or supplements do exist. We strongly recommended consulting with your primary care provider or pharmacist before taking any herbal tinctures if you are concerned about potential contraindications.

The ratio describes the concentration of a tincture. We use a 1:4 ratio, meaning 1 part dried herb (in grams) to 4 parts menstruum (the combined alcohol and herb).

A ratio of 1:5 has more liquid to the same amount of herb and is therefore more diluted.

A ratio of 1:10 or higher is very diluted and requires very high daily doses and is not recommended.

Tinctures made at 1:2 are often too concentrated for Lyme patients and commonly induce Herx reactions that can be very intense.

Most tinctures on the market are made at 1:5. We’ve chosen to use 1:4 to ensure greater potency while still being very safe and tolerable.

Using the correct alcohol percentage to extract the specific medicinal constituents of that herb is of highest importance when making a tincture. Using more or less alcohol essentially reflects the chemical nature of the compounds that we want to extract into the liquid portion.

A tincture made at 40% versus one made at 80% is not twice at strong. It simply implies that for the first herb, 40% alcohol will optimally extract the medicinal qualities. For the second herb, 80% is the concentration for optimal extraction.

We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that our tinctures are made using the correct concentrations.

*Please note that not all herbal tinctures on the market are made with the appropriate alcohol concentration so use our site as a reference or conduct your own research to make sure you’re purchasing the best formulated tincture possible.