We can look at this difference from two perspectives: one is how they are prepared, the other is their effects.
Spagyric Tinctures are a much more simple preparation than Essences, in that they are similar to a standard herbal tincture, with the added benefit of the alkali mineral salts. This adds medicinal potency as well as makes for a more holistic extract, as the whole plant is present with nothing wasted in the process.
Spagyric Essences are considered by some a "true" spagyric, in that you get a full separation of the Sulfur, Mercury, and Salt of the plant, in the form of its essential oils, alcohol/water soluble constituents, and alkali mineral salts. These are separated, purified, and ultimately recombined to form a highly concentrated extract.
A Spagyric Tincture is considered a more "fixed" form of a liquid spagyric, meaning it is more dense and thus has a stronger affinity for the physical body. They are attuned to addressing imbalances within the organ systems and tissues of the body.
Spagyric Essences on the other hand are more refined and volatile in nature, particularly due to the process of distillation in their preparation. This makes them more attuned to the emotional, psychological, and spiritual layers of our healing process. Yet they still have physiological effects as they are certainly concentrated in the bioactive constituents of the plants.
Lastly, the dosage varies greatly. Due to their concentration, Spagyric Essences are usually taken in drop doses, 1-3 drops at a time.
Depending on the herb, Spagyric Tinctures are typically started between 15-30 drops per dose, with the exception of certain low dose plants like Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), Blue Flag (Iris versicolor), Poke root (Phytolacca decandra), or Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria).
Learn about this in our article dedicated to the subject right here on our blog.