Siberian ginseng - Extract powders
Processing
The Eleutherococcus Senticosus shrub is not a member from the Araliaceae family and is therefore not a real ginseng. Because some adaptogene actions are comparable with those from real ginseng, it is called Siberian Ginseng.After the dry Siberian Ginseng roots have been analyzed and selected, they go into a carefully controlled extraction process with the desired concentration of eleutherosides as a result.
Because some eleutherosides only dissolve in water and others only in alcohol, a particular mixture of alcohol and water is used for extraction.
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A highly controlled processing method ensures that Siberian Ginseng roots are processed into extract powders according approved standard processes. |
After extraction the alcohol is distilled from the liquid extract. Then the liquid extract is dried into an extract powder. This standard process ensures a Siberian Ginseng extract powder that contains minimal 0,8% eleutherosides (HPLC).
Composition of extract powders
Siberian ginseng extract powders are only made from the roots.Apart from some exceptions, almost all basic Siberian Ginseng extract powders are made without carriers or additives. At a customer's request a desired additive can still be added.
Packaging
For amounts less than 25 kg, Siberian ginseng extract powders are packed per 1 kg in airtight aluminum bags with PE-inner layer. Bags with 5 kg are also available.The 25 kg packaging are packed in standard plastic bags in cardboard boxes or barrels.
Properties
Standard Siberian Ginseng extract powders dissolve moderate in water. With some adjustments in the production process it is possible to make extract powders that dissolve well in water.The color of the powder is yellow-brownish.
The taste of this Siberian ginseng root powder can be qualified as sharp, astringent and a little bitter. As the level of eleutherosides rises, the root's bitter taste intensifies.
For some purposes the bitter taste of Siberian Ginseng is not desired. There are ways to decrease the intensity of the taste of Siberian Ginseng.
A possible practical disadvantage from Siberian Ginseng extract powders is that they are quite hygroscopic: they attract moisture from the air. When not preserved the right way the powder is at a high risk of clotting together. Keeping it dry in closed packaging is therefore vital.
Additives
Because the Siberian Ginseng extract powder is not that expensive, usually no fillers are added to it. If filler is desired, the cheapest one is rice flour.Sometimes for other (process technological) reasons additives like dicalcium phosphate, malto dextrin, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate or glucose powder are added. Of course other additives, carriers or fillers are possible too.
Another benefit of adding filler to the extract powder is that it will drastically decrease the hygroscopic nature of the product.
Dosage
In-vitro-tests have shown that the absorption of eleutherosides from extracts is double the absorption of dried roots or root powders. Counted in milligrams, this means that in order to get the same results a double dose of ground root powders is needed in comparison to extract powders.For optimal therapeutic results of Siberian Ginseng extract powders it is advised to take 5-10 mg pure eleutherosides daily. For a Siberian Ginseng extract powder with 0,8% eleutherosides this means a daily intake of 600-1200 mg of powder per day.
Practical experiences have demonstrated that activity and effects of Siberian Ginseng do not decline proportionally as a daily dose is lowered.
There is no dangerous (damaging) maximum daily dose, but 0,5 mg eleutherosides is considered as a minimal dose. If you take less than this dosage a day it will most likely not contribute anything.
When mixed with other medicinal herbs, a lower dose of Siberian Ginseng might be sufficient.
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