Dear Jackie: there used to be a number of "tintures" because alcohol dissolves many things. Iodine used to be used as a tincture. Belladonna,etc.,etc.
Tincture of laudanum was used not too long ago as a potent relief from diarrhea. It tasted horrid, but there
were idiots who despite the vile taste became addicted to it. There is little "praise" for it now.
Speaking of tinctures, a very popular over the counter
alcoholic beverage for relief of "feminine complaints was "
"Lydia Pinkam's": refined ladies imbibed it without fear of being accused of alcoholism.