At ELEVN Botanicals, we believe it's time to ditch the pills.
Did you know that if you're spending $100.00 on supplements, you're only getting as little as $50.00 worth?
Yep.
What if we told you with tinctures, you're getting 100% of your investment into better health and longevity?
Interested?
WHY SUGAR CANE ALCOHOL IS BEST
Using 50% sugar cane is considered highly effective for herbal tinctures because it is a pure, neutral, and efficient food-grade solvent that extracts a wide range of botanical compounds—including alkaloids, resins, and essential oils—better than water or glycerin. Organic sugar cane alcohol is particularly favored for its superior, clean extraction, as it lacks the impurities sometimes found in grain alcohol, often resulting in a more potent, better-tasting, and shelf-stable medicine.
Here is how sugar cane alcohol provides the most effective extraction:
Superior Solvent Ability: It effectively breaks down plant material to draw out active ingredients that are not water-soluble, such as resins and essential oils. It is capable of extracting a wider variety of compounds in higher concentrations compared to glycerin.
High Purity and Neutrality: Unlike some grain alcohols that may carry a distinct taste or contain impurities, cane alcohol is often neutral, allowing the true flavor and medicinal properties of the herb to shine without being overshadowed.
Optimal Preservation: With a high alcohol content (often 40–95%), it acts as a natural preservative, inhibiting microbial growth and providing a long shelf life, often up to 5–10 years.
Faster Bioavailability: We cannot shout this from the rooftops louder...
- Rapid cellular absorption: Sugarcane alcohol is a small, polar molecule that easily crosses cell membranes, allowing herbal actives to enter the bloodstream quickly.
- Enhances solubility: It dissolves both water-soluble and fat-soluble plant compounds, capturing a wider range of phytochemicals than water or glycerin.
- Efficient carrier medium: Delivers active constituents directly into circulation without requiring extensive digestion.
Gluten-Free Alternative: Sugar cane alcohol is a natural, gluten-free option for individuals with sensitivities to the corn or wheat commonly used in other grain alcohols.
Sustainability: Cane alcohol is often viewed as a more environmentally sustainable option, with some studies suggesting it is more efficient to produce than grain alcohol.
Told you so.
Need more facts?
Read on, brave soul...
Why Capsules Are Harder to Absorb & Digest
a. Capsule Shell Composition
Gelatin capsules: Made from animal collagen, they require stomach acid and enzymes to dissolve. If a person has low stomach acid (common in stress, aging, or certain diets), these may not break down efficiently.
Vegetarian capsules: Made from cellulose (HPMC), which can resist digestion longer, especially if taken on an empty stomach or with cold water.
b. Delayed Breakdown
Capsules must disintegrate before the body can access the contents.
If digestion is sluggish, the capsule may pass into the intestine partially intact, leading to incomplete release of the supplement.
c. Encapsulation Fillers
Many commercial capsules use binders, fillers, or anti-caking agents that can slow or interfere with absorption.
These additives can form barriers around nutrients or interact with stomach acid.
d. Individual Digestive Variability
Differences in gut microbiome health, enzyme activity, and hydration affect how well capsules dissolve. People with gastrointestinal issues (like IBS, GERD, or nutrient malabsorption) often struggle to fully digest encapsulated supplements.
e. Digestive Losses
Nutrients must survive stomach acid breakdown, enzymatic conversion, and intestinal transport. Some compounds are destroyed or altered before reaching the bloodstream.
f. Cellular Transport Limits
Not all nutrients cross the intestinal wall efficiently. Some require specific transporters (e.g., vitamin B12 needs intrinsic factor). When these mechanisms are saturated, excess nutrients simply pass through the digestive tract unused.
g. First-Pass Metabolism
After absorption, most nutrients go to the liver first via the portal vein.
The liver may metabolize or deactivate a portion before it ever reaches systemic circulation.
h. Chemical Form Matters
Bioavailability depends on the form of the nutrient — e.g., magnesium citrate is more absorbable than magnesium oxide.
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) require dietary fat for optimal absorption.
i. Interaction with Food and Other Substances
Some compounds compete for absorption sites or bind with fiber or minerals, becoming insoluble. Caffeine, alcohol, and medications can also alter gastrointestinal absorption rates.
In Short...
Why Liquid or Tincture Forms Often Work Better;
No capsule wall to dissolve.
Sublingual or mucosal absorption bypasses digestion and liver metabolism.
Faster onset and greater bioavailability — more of the compound reaches systemic circulation.