How Apothekary Wellness Tinctures Got Me To Ditch Alcohol

It’s been a year since then. Don’t go into details. Mainly because I don’t want to think about it during the one week of the year when my brain is occupied with other things. bravo— but I think we can all agree that by the end of 2024, we’ll need to be chugging 7-11 sized Cabernets.

Still, I decided to stay (mostly) dry this December, which is definitely out of character. I’m usually a girl who likes to relax and celebrate with a cocktail in hand, but this is a season with endless opportunities for both. But while alcohol calms you down and makes you feel good in the moment, the next day it’s a completely different story. Even a sip of alcohol can disrupt your sleep and increase your anxiety, but that hasn’t worked for me this year.

With my wedding just two weeks after Christmas, I wanted to end the year feeling my best (i.e., less anxious and tired). That meant swapping cocktails for herbal tinctures.

What is an herbal tincture?

I first encountered wellness tinctures during a trip to Japan. Apothecary, the recently launched herbal wellness brand at Ulta, invited a group of editors to Kyoto to explore the art of herbal medicine and immerse themselves in Japanese self-care philosophy.

For those unfamiliar, wellness tinctures are liquid supplements made from concentrated extracts of herbs, plants, adaptogens, and other natural ingredients. These extracts are often suspended in alcohol or glycerin to maximize their medicinal efficacy.

“Tinctures are the most effective way to extract important compounds from natural sources using alcohol,” LuliTonix founder Leanna Sugarman previously explained to Well+Good. “This method provides the most concentrated benefits of roots, herbs, and plants.”

Herbal medicine is deeply rooted in cultures around the world and remains the basis of medical care in Japan. “In Japan, herbal medicine is the main treatment,” he says. Shizu Okusa Apothékary’s founder noted that this practice is quite different from what is seen in the United States. She explained that people would go to a “shop” run by a doctor, receive a personalized medical exam and leave with a prescription for pills, plants and herbs. “In everything we do, [at Apothekary]We’re trying to pack it in so people can take advantage of the goodness of the natural world and heal themselves in an accessible way. ”

My week in Kyoto felt like stepping into a masterclass in mindfulness. I ventured into a quiet forest for a guided forest bath and arranged flowers during the forest bath. flower arrangement In class, we sipped matcha tea and soaked in rejuvenating baths while meditating quietly. hot spring. I even meditated with a monk. Each experience was a lesson in slowing down and reconnecting with myself.

During my week in Kyoto, I learned not only about the herbal medicines from which Apothecary tinctures are based, but also about the Japanese approach to self-care, which has become an important part of my daily routine. Each of the above experiences was unique (i.e. So Special) But what they all had in common was that they forced me to slow down and actually focus on myself. By the end of the journey, I realized that this mindfulness had seeped into my daily life. And apothecary tincture, huge This is part of it.

my honest review

what i like

Having never taken supplements for more than three days in a row before, I was shocked at how easy it was to add Apothékary’s tinctures to my routine. First of all, the taste is Really Great, I’m really looking forward to it. I like it in warm lemon water in the morning or in sparkling water for a mocktail at night.

It’s very cute. Apothecary tinctures come in beautiful white bottles with jewel-colored labels and cute names. I keep them on the counter and this is a testament to how beautiful they are. And I know that the burgundy “Wine Down” ($39) tincture will put me to sleep, and the baby pink “Rosé Tinted Glass” ($39) will. It’ll make you happy, and the blue “Take The Edge Off” ($39) will help you relax.

But beyond that, they deliver the benefits they promise. I can honestly say I have never felt so good. I first started taking tinctures in Japan and spent the next few months trying to get my habits right. And now that I’ve quit alcohol, I’ve been able to understand how powerful they are on their own. I used to rely on a glass of wine to relieve stress, lift my mood, and help me sleep, but now I’ve found it in apothecary tinctures.

“Alcohol has become a ritual for people at the end of the day, on a date or with friends, so it’s great to have something that’s readily available and easy to use,” says founder Hilary Sheinbaum. says. of become dry and author dry challenge. “In some cases, it’s easier to replace alcoholic beverages in small steps. Instead of saying you’re switching to a five-minute meditation or a 5 p.m. workout, you’re pouring yourself a glass of something that’s not a cocktail. You can sit down with a drink. It just doesn’t give you a buzz.”

Not only did the tincture replace my not-so-good wine habit, it also inspired me to add more positive habits to my routine. Now, I start my day every day with a glass of warm lemon water and have a cup of herbal tea at the end of the night. I’m getting the added benefit of both habits…and that goes without saying that I ended up with a hangover. Switching from a martini to a La Croix with a “rosé tinted glass” saved my life.

what i don’t love

At $39 per bottle, it’s a little pricey. Especially if you’re trying to build a routine using multiple blends. They last a long time, but incorporating more than one into your daily lineup can quickly add up. Also worth noting, just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s suitable for everyone. Herbal ingredients can interact with medications and certain medical conditions, so you should consult your doctor before using them. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Still, Apothecary tinctures are easy to incorporate into my routine and provide the same sleep-improving and stress-reducing benefits as regular wine. Simply put, they add mindfulness to my day, keep my mood high and anxiety low. that’s right How do you want to start 2025?

Buy the tincture that helped me quit alcohol

against anxiety

Apothékary, Quit Stress Relief Tincture — $39.00

The relationship between alcohol and anxiety is complex. By calming the nervous system and releasing feel-good hormones, symptoms can be relieved in the short term, but in the long term, symptoms can suddenly worsen, sometimes the next day, and cause more symptoms. It may get worse. In other words? Hangxiety is the real deal.

FWIW, this is the main reason I decided to do “Dry December”. That meant I needed to find something. Other than that It’s to keep my anxiety away from the terrible year I’ve had. Enter “Take the Edge Off” by Apothecary. Marketed as an alternative to white wine, it is a blend of plant-based adaptogens such as skullcap, passionflower, linden, and oat, known for their ability to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.

“Take the Edge Off” quickly became the most important tincture in my toolkit. I start each day by putting a few drops in a cup of warm lemon water and keep it with me throughout the day for when I need a little more oomph. Every time I take this tincture, I try to pair it with a 1-minute breathing exercise (5-7-8 is my favorite) as a dual role of resetting the nervous system. Simply put, it reduces anxiety and ensures you don’t “want” to drink wine by the end of the day.

in mood

Apothékary ‘Rosé-Tinted Glasses’ Mood Support Tincture — $39.00

One of the most difficult parts of giving up alcohol is the social component. Personally, I find it strange to walk around a holiday party with a cocktail in hand and the high spirits that come with the buzz. “Rosé Colored Glasses” solved that awkwardness. Because you can always order a sparkling water and make yourself an uplifting cocktail while you’re on the go (yes, I have it in my bag).

The rosé colored glass is cute, pink, delicious, and really reminds me of a rosé glass. Adaptogens such as lion’s mane, Schisandra, and Siberian ginseng enhance mood and mental clarity. This is exactly what you need when heading into a big social event. Is it better? I can taste it So Good — that’s really what I do now. prefer Drink Apothecary mocktails with alcohol.

for sleeping

Apothékary ‘Wine Down’ Relaxation Support Tincture — $39.00

Guzzling red wine used to be my favorite way to wind down in the evening, but now I’m drinking herbal tea infused with Apothecary’s “Wine Down.”

This tincture is designed to mimic the benefits of red wine without causing less-than-ideal side effects. It’s a blend of soothing adaptogens like elderberry and hawthorn berry, which have antioxidant properties similar to the polyphenols in red wine. But what’s better than a glass of Cabernet is the fact that it contains no sugar or alcohol, which means no hangovers. Additionally, while red wine may initially make you drowsy, its alcohol content can disrupt your deep sleep cycle. Wine Down’s ingredients, including California Poppy, Tart Cherry, and L-Theanine, actively support restful sleep without causing side effects.

I love the process of mixing up my nightly “potions”, making myself a cup of tea, and writing in my journal while drinking it, or reading a book before bed. yay? My sleep score has never been better.