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Tinctures are concentrated herbal extracts that are made with a variety of liquid menstruums (solvents), most notably: alcohol, vegetable glycerin, and vinegar.  Many tinctures have at least some water in the formula.  A tincture is made by immersing plant material in menstruum, often first ground or chopped, and left to extract (macerate) for a certain period of time.  It is then strained to remove the bulk herbal material (marc), which can be discarded and composted.
 

Tinctures are generally meant to be taken internally, unless otherwise noted, for both acute and chronic conditions.  The menstruum acts as a preservative, and most alcohol-based tinctures can last for years when properly strained and stored- i.e. in a dark, cool, dry place with the cap firmly screwed on. Vegetable glycerin and vinegar-based tinctures will have a lesser shelf-life, although still around 1-2 yrs. Refrigeration is not necessary for alcohol and glycerin based extracts but is recommended for vinegar based ones. Tinctures make a convenient alternative to taking quantities of fresh or dry plant material, which is often not available year-round and not always easy to consume in large amounts.  Dosing of tinctures is specific to the person and not a one size fits all.  A licensed health care practitioner or clinical herbalist should be consulted, along with one's own intuition.
 

Each menstruum has its benefits based on the desired constituents in the herbal material and also based on the end user.  Vegetable glycerin and vinegar are preferred for those who do not want to consume alcohol. Although often they are not able to extract as much. Another way to reduce alcohol consumption is to place the tincture amount desired in water or juice, wait a minute or two for some alcohol to evaporate, and then consume.  Many tincture formulas may use a combination of alcohol, water and glycerin to maximize the extraction of a range of chemical constituents.  An herb tincture will have information regarding the ratio of herb to menstruum (e.g. 1:2, 1:5) and the percentage of menstruum used (e.g. 55%) on the label.  A high percentage of alcohol does not always equal a better tincture, so it is best to consult experts when making or buying tinctures.