We are often asked what the difference between a tincture and an elixir are.  The difference is vast, and in this discussion, we should also mention the two other related items in this realm of herbal medicines, which are known as absolutes and hydrosols.

First, stated simply, and elixir is a sweet flavored liquid (usually containing a small amount of alcohol) used in compounding medicines to be taken by mouth in order to mask an unpleasant taste.  Elixirs can have varying amounts of alcohol in them, which is used for the extraction process, to no alcohol at all.  Most elixirs are made from a wine base, whereas tinctures are made from a pure alcohol base, usually grain alcohol.

Tinctures are a liquid herbal remedy which uses a combination of ethyl alcohol and distilled water to extract the medicinal benefits from either a dried or fresh plant.  Since the water to alcohol content is greater, there is most-often a greater concentration of the principle alkaloids in tinctures, and if the principle alkaloid is soluble in alcohol, one can get a much greater concentration of specific parts of the plant in tinctures.

In short, an elixir is more appropriate when a full spectrum herbal remedy is needed, such as to calm one's internal energy patterns, whereas a tincture is more effective for feeling specific effects such as energizing or sedating one's entire body.

That being said, a hydrosol is also known as floral water or distillate water. It's the by-product of steam distillation and includes some of the water-soluble elements of the plant not included in essential oil. In addition, hydrosol has many of the same properties as the essential oil in lower concentrations.  Hydrosols are "cleaner" than essential oils, and are often more easily absorbed by the things that they are applied to or dissolved into, such as an aroma lamp, the skin, or even a favorite pet's fur when needed.

Most essential oils consist of a percentage of a plant extract, mixed in a medium such as
 

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