Herbs or botanical products are extracted into main compounds for various medicinal as well as non-medicinal uses. There are various methods used in this extraction process to get pure main element from botanical products. All these methods are designed in a manner that there is less change in the basic properties of herbs and one gets maximum extraction without wasting a lot of resources.
Extraction is not just about maximum extraction solely but also not harming the natural compounds to the best possible extent. It is very important that all the natural compounds stay intact as that would increase the efficacy of the herbs and reduce any
side-effects.
Popularly Used Methods Of Extraction
There are many methods widely used by people around the world to extract pure natural compounds, but there are some standard methods that are used for the process. These are those methods to name a few:
• Steam Distillation Extraction Method
In this method plant extracts is allowed to heat and when a high level of pressure is built up the important oils and compounds become vapor and are collected. Other volatile compounds do not evaporate and they get settled and are then isolated with the help of other materials. Under this method plant extracts are effectively and easily collected without the use of major chemicals and help the extracts remain pure. One of the drawbacks of this method is that at high pressure of heat some of the pure elements lose its property. Thus, experts in the field suggest using other methods than steam distillation.
• Alcohol Distillation Method
In this method distillation is the key to get the pure form of the herb. Under this method plant extracts are dissolved completely, and then they are distilled to get the pure form of elements. After this step alcohol is applied to key ingredients. This alcohol is not just any general alcohol, but the best alcohol for herbs that has been selected particularly for the type of product process is done on. Other alcohol insoluble alcohol ingredient helps in isolating compounds. Again distillation is done in which only pure compounds are extracted and the non-use part is taken away. This method is most frequently used as it does not harm the natural forms of plants and herbs. In this method best alcohol for herbs are used and selected by experts to extract natural compounds.
• Supercritical Extraction Method
In this method Carbon Dioxide is used under extreme high pressure which would isolate key compounds. Once the compounds are isolated carbon dioxide is released and natural forms of products are extracted. This method is being used more widely and is being adopted more as there is no use of high level of heat that would harm the natural composition of products. This method is gaining more popularity of this reason.
These are the few methods of many that are used for large scale extraction of herbal oils and botanical products. There may be many other methods that are used in general for small scale or at home extraction of herbal compounds.
Extractohol is pure best alcohol for herbs and is best for the highest quality maximum extraction that helps extract maximum amount of material in the least possible time.
