Our
BIO-SPECIFIC™
product formulation process is based on knowledge of the chemistry, character and energetics of plants gained from traditional wisdom. This knowledge is
combined and balanced with leading modern research and decades of clinical experience.
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It begins at the
source.
We obtain herbs directly from
organic growers and
ethical wildcrafters. Control over
quality-from harvesting at the proper stage of growth to arriving fresh and vital in our
lab-is critical to the BIO-SPECIFIC™ process.
Experienced
herbalists carefully
examine every shipment of herbs to evaluate quality
and validate species. Most
plants arrive whole, fresh and are easily identified. |
Nettle
Seed |
The
few herbs that arrive in powdered form are sent to
Rutgers University for
identity confirmation using appropriate testing equipment in their
multi-million dollar labs. We maintain samples of all
herbs and extracts, document all steps in the process and store this information in
computer databases as part of our good manufacturing practices (GMPs).
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Garbling
in Lab |
Garbling is the next step
in the BIO-SPECIFIC™ process. Skilled lab techs meticulously
sort
all batches of herbs,
removing inferior parts
such as woody stems or yellowed leaves.
You can be assured you will
never receive an adulterated product from us.
Our BIO-SPECIFIC™
formulations developed by our trained herbalists guide the
process for making our
extracts. Since some herbs like Scullcap, Echinacea and
Cleavers lose
activity upon drying, these are always extracted
fresh. |
Conversely, the dried forms of many bitter,
pungent or acrid herbs produce a more energetically-vibrant extract. Certain herbs such as
Astragalus need extensive cooking before alcohol is added to produce a vital extract.
Other herbs must be hydrolyzed to release their activity. These formulation decisions are
an integral part of assuring a superior extract.
Certified
Organic, USP Pharmaceutical Grade Alcohol
is used in most of our herbal extracts. It is far less toxic than
industrial solvents such as hexane or benzene which are often used in
standardized herbal preparations. Plus, if desired, alcohol can be
partially evaporated without impairing the quality of the extract by
placing drops of the extract in hot water (100-105 degrees) for 10
minutes.
The key to our
BIO-SPECIFIC™ formulations is our unique spagyric alchemical extraction process. Based on
traditional herbal practices of China, India and Egypt, we take the plant to its highest
form, liberating its essence for greatest potency. During alchemical extraction we calcine
the plant residues. This concentrates the essential minerals of the plant. Other companies
discard the plant residue in the preparation of simple tinctures. Unfortunately, their
process also discards all of the essential minerals because they are not soluble in
alcohol. When we rejoin our calcined minerals with the liquid extract, we create a product
unique to Herbalist & Alchemist-one that contains the full spectrum of the plant's
nutrients.
Finally, the
BIO-SPECIFIC™ formulation is complete. Our herbalists test the finished products for
taste, aroma, color, appearance and activity using organoleptic and laboratory test
procedures. You'll notice a fine sediment in our liquid extracts as a result of the
alchemical processing. It's a combination of fine herb particles and ash which give our
extracts a high mineral content. Please shake the bottle gently before use.
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