What is a tincture?

A tincture is defined as an alcohol extract derived from a plant or vegetable. This preparation involves soaking the plant material in alcohol, which extracts the soluble compounds, including active ingredients, flavors, and fragrances from the plant. The resulting solution is often used in herbal medicine and can serve various therapeutic purposes. The concentration of alcohol typically used in tinctures allows for effective preservation and extraction of the plant's beneficial properties, making tinctures a popular choice in both traditional and modern herbal practices.

The other options, while they describe different forms of medication or delivery systems, do not accurately reflect what a tincture is. A liquid medication with sugar, for instance, implies a syrup rather than an extract. Similarly, a type of tablet with flavorings or a solid dosage form for oral administration refers to entirely different formulations, such as lozenges or capsules, and do not relate to the extraction process that defines a tincture.