Purpose of Alcohol in Formulae
Why Use Alcohol?
Consumers are often concerned when they see that alcohol is used in the preparation of herbal tinctures and extracts. Natures Formulae Health Products Ltd. uses pure grain ethanol in the preparation of a number of our herbal products because it is proven to be the best solvent, carrier and preservative for the active ingredients in herbal products.
Here is How it Works
There are a number of major groups of active ingredients in herbs which are used for their medicinal properties. Each group has distinct solubility properties requiring different extraction methods. Distilled water on its own has limited efficiency in extracting active ingredients but when combined in various ratios with ethanol the efficiency is greatly increased.
- Ethanol works to break down the cell wall of plant material releasing active ingredients.
- Ethanol allows extractions to be completed at low temperatures or without any heat which helps to maintain the integrity of the herb’s active ingredients.
- Ethanol stabilizes the active ingredients by slowing down any ongoing enzyme reactions which would alter their compounds.
- Ethanol increases the shelf life of products by preserving the quality of the herb’s active ingredients.
- Ethanol enhances the absorption of key ingredients by the body.
Safe for Consumption
The quantities of alcohol used in proper dosages of our products are approved and well monitored as safe for consumption by both adults and children. Those concerned about consuming alcohol can reduce the alcohol in the preparations by adding hot water to the tincture and allowing the alcohol to evaporate for 5-10 minutes.
Keeping it in Perspective
The amount of alcohol in a given dose of herbal tinctures with alcohol bases could be compared to that in a single ripe banana.