Tinturas

http://mountainroseblog.com/guide-tinctures-extracts/

Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that have alcohol as the solvent. If you are using water, vinegar, glycerine, or any menstruum (solvent) other than alcohol, your preparation is an extract – not a tincture. Although, there are exceptions to every rule and sometimes an acetum is defined as "a vinegar tincture" in the tomes.

Herbal Tinctures…

• Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts.
• Alcohol is the solvent. You can use any spirit you like, but I prefer something neutral like vodka so I can taste the herb.
• They can be taken straight by the dropper or diluted in tea.
• They can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, roots, barks, or berries.