Extraction Process and Contents
Prescribing - Combinations and Modifications
Dosage and Administration
What is the Concentrated Liquid Extraction
Process?
As extractors, both alcohol and water have been important
to herbal products in both the East and West for centuries.
In combination, they are the solvents of choice in extracting
the active components of an herb which are deep within the
cellular structure of the plant.
- Alcohol soluble active ingredients include: alkaloids,
triterpenoids, and essential oils.
- Water soluble components include: polysaccharides, saponins,
and vitamins.
Effective extraction of these and many other herbal constituents
into a liquid solution enhances their bioavailability, making
them immediately available for assimilation into the body.
The result is a more efficient delivery system for the herb,
as well as improved results.
This is particularly ideal for patients with impaired digestion
or Spleen qi deficiency who cannot assimilate herbs in a
solid form such as pills. Recent studies have even shown
that a small amount of alcohol serves to guide the active
ingredient within herb or medication directly to the liver,
where most substances are metabolized for use by the body.
Far East Summit, the manufacturers of our liquid extracts,
utilizes a patented dual extraction process which generates
a 5:1 herb to liquid ratio. They are processed to retain
essential oils, energetic activity and the subtle taste
of the five flavors so often lost through other preparation
methods.
For detailed information regarding their process, we suggest
calling Hank Babcock at Far East Summit (888) 441-0489 or
visit their website.
Safety and Quality of Concentrated Liquid
Extracts
Far East Summit has been a highly respected herbal manufacturer
for over 15 years, with a commitment to provide safe and
effective herbal products. Their experienced staff maintains
quality control monitoring processes, including GMP (good
manufacturing processes) and SOP (standard operating procedures).
Sourcing, receiving, quarantine, proper herb identification,
weighing/measuring, grinding, herb processing, finished
product, and retained sampling are in full compliance with
all government and industry standards. Lot number indentification
allows traceability throughout the manufacturing process.
What about the Alcohol?
As an extractors, alcohol has been important to herbal
products in both the East and West for centuries. In addition
to water, it is a solvent of choice in extracting the active
components which may lie deep within the medicinal's cellular
structure. Alcohol soluble active ingredients include: alkaloids,
triterpenoids, and essential oils.
Effective extraction of these and many other herbal constituents
into a liquid solution enhances their bioavailability, making
them immediately available for assimilation into the body.
The result is a more efficient delivery system for the herb,
as well as improved results.
This is particularly ideal for patients with impaired digestion
or Spleen qi deficiency who cannot assimilate herbs in a
solid form such as pills. Recent studies have even shown
that a small amount of alcohol serves to guide the active
ingredient within herbs and medication directly to the liver,
where most substances are metabolized for use in the body.
Far East Summit, the manufacturers of our liquid extracts,
uses a patented duel extraction process to generate a minimum
of 5:1 herb to liquid ratio. They are processed to retain
essential oils, energetic activity and the subtle taste
of the five flavors so often lost through other preparation
methods.
Far East Summit has also just introduced their newest line
of 8:1 concentrates with their unique processing method.
For specific information on how the classics are formulated
and processed to account for the "more warming and
moving effect" of the alcohol, please call Hank Babcock
at Far East Summit (888) 441-0489, he loves to discuss this
topic!
I've tried other companies' extracts,
and they seem thicker.
You'd think that a thicker extract would mean a more potent
formula. However, many of the plant solids found in other
extractions are not the active components of the herbs.
This means that thicker extracts may actually be less effective!
Good extractions include as part of their process the extraction
of inactive plant solids.
Far East even uses a specifically different extraction
process for yin and xue tonics versus qi and yang tonics.
For more details, call Hank! (888) 441-0489.
How should I combine Liquid Formulas?
Our liquid extracts come in two sizes:
- 2 ounce bottles
- 4 ounce bottles
When combining formulas, a primary concern is getting a
sufficient amount of each formula in the combination. To
guarantee good patient response, we believe the number of
different formulas combined should not exceed three.
- Consult the Liquid Prescription Form
- Indicate 2 or 4 ounces
- Select 1/2 , 1/3, or 2/3 for each component. If you
choose three formulas, you must do 1/3 of each. With two
formulas, you can do half and half, or 1/3 and 2/3.
Can I modify traditional Liquid Formulas
with individual liquid extract herbs?
TCM Formulas is in the process of acquiring inidividual
liquid extracts that will meet our quality standards and
be of a compatible concentration (5:1) to modify Far East
Summit formulas.
We'll be announcing the addition of this service as soon
as it is available.
What is the Standard Dosage for Liquid
Extracts?
Far East recommends 1-3 droppers (One squeeze of the dropper
bulb fills it half way; this is considered a dropper-full),
3 times per day. This is equivalent to the standard dosing
of a raw formula.
We recommend dosages of 4-6 droppers, 2 times daily...
this is a bit more overall, and dosed less frequently (see
next question).
Should I take them before or after meals?
One benefit to the alcohol content, is rapid absorption
of the herbs regardless of food intake. Liquid concentrates
can be taken before or after meals, though patients potentially
sensitive to alcohol should be instructed to take liquid
herbs after meals.
Why do you Recommend Dosing twice a day?
We recommend dosing no more frequently than 2 times per
day.
Patient compliance can be as high as 90% when the dosage
is once per day. Compliance drops by 20% when a second dose
is added. With the addition of a third dose, patient compliance
plummets another 50%. If a patient is unable to follow the
practitioner's advice, they may not feel as good about the
treatment in general.
So, though taking herbs three times a day may be ideal,
in our experience the more frequent the dosage, the less
likely a patient is to take the herbs at all.
How long will it take to use up a bottle?
If prescribed at normal dosages:
- A 2-ounce bottle will last from 7 to 10 days
- A 4-ounce bottle will last from 14 to 20 days (2 to
3 weeks)
Hot Water Will NOT Evaporate the Alcohol
from Liquid Herbs.
This is a common misconception. Putting 3-6 droppers of
tincture into nearly boiling water and letting it sit will
only disperse fumes making the mixture more palatable, and
the alcohol less obvious.
In order to eliminate the alcohol, one would need to boil
the tincture, reducing the total volume by the percentage
of alcohol. This would significantly alter the property
of the herbs, possibly rendering them inactive or creating
new compounds in the process.
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