MediHerb FAQs

How do I place orders?

Standard Process is the exclusive United States distributor for MediHerb. Products are available only to health care professionals. Health care professionals may call Customer Service at 800-558-8740 to apply for an account. Patients may call Customer Service to receive health care professional referrals.

What is cold percolation?

The 1:2 cold percolation process developed by Kerry Bone still remains the cornerstone of the extraction technology at MediHerb. This method allows processing of the herbs into a liquid extract without utilizing heat or concentration, both of which may cause damage to the constituent of the whole herb. The production utilizes sterile, all stainless steel equipment, water purified by reverse osmosis and ultra-fine filtering and pharmaceutical grade ethanol. All air in the manufacturing complex is filtered for purification using pharmaceutical standard filtering units. Independent analysis has shown that 1:2 extracts so produced are superior to other extracts available on the Australian market. The word "cold" in this context means no heat is applied and extraction occurs at room temperature.

Why are tablets preferred over capsules?

Our unique cold percolation 1:2 liquid extracts are used in the making of our pharmaceutical standard tablet range to ensure that the full phytochemical profile of the starting herb has been retained. Our research has shown specific optimal parameters for each specific constituent, which we employ in our process of evaporating the ethanol and water at low temperatures under vacuum. This important step minimizes the exposure of the delicate chemicals in the herbal matrix to the damaging effects of heat and oxidation. Through extensive research and development, our finished tablet is as efficacious as our liquid extract, is readily absorbed and utilized by the body, and is suitable for vegetarians.

Does MediHerb carry any 'Traditional Chinese Medicine' (TCM) herbs?

MediHerb carries a "multicultural" range of herbs, not just Western. We have about 18 TCM herbs within our range, such as Bupleurum falcatum, (or Chai hu in Chinese medicine), Rehmannia (Ti huang); White Peony (Bai-shao) and we also carry a High-grade Licorice (Gan cao).

Are there any herbs in the range that could be dangerous?

All herbs should be respected and only used within the dosage guidelines and with the supervision of a health care professional. There are several herbs that are recommended to avoid if you have certain pre-existing medical conditions, like high blood pressure, or those that should not be combined with certain pharmaceutical drugs. If any one herb is to be used with absolute discretion, it is Poke Root because the dosage needed is tiny compared to most other herbs, and a single excessive dose may cause stomach cramping, griping, and severe diarrhea.

Which MediHerb products are best for helping maintain a normal woman's hormone balance that is within a normal range?

• Pre-menopause: Chaste Tree, Dong Quai, and White Peony are all useful in promoting healthy female reproductive system function.
• Peri & Post-menopause: Wild Yam Complex tablets and Tribulus are all helpful in easing the effects of menopause. St John's Wort supports the body's ability to cope with the changes of everyday life.

Is Tribulus suitable for females as well as males?

Yes, Tribulus will promote normal reproductive function, support physical endurance, and enhance an overall feeling of well being for both sexes, yet does not overstimulate the nervous system as herbs like Yohimbe do. In fact, the original Tribulus research was on female health problems.

Is it best to take herbs with food or between meals?

Most herbs should be taken with at least a little food, although many people have no trouble taking them on an empty stomach. Some herbs, referred to as 'bitters', are intended to stimulate gastric secretions and therefore should be taken before meals and come in contact with the taste buds. A few herbs, such as Horsechestnut, must be taken with food to avoid gastric irritation. Since most herbs are best taken three times daily, taking them with meals often promotes compliance.

Why doesn't MediHerb grow their own herbs?

MediHerb has as long history of actively supporting herb growers, not only by purchasing their herbs, but also by providing technical support on how best to grow herbs. This support includes information on organic growing, varietal selection, climatic and soil requirements, time of harvest, drying parameters and post-drying storage requirements. We also work with growers to help cultivate endangered species such as Golden Seal and Echinacea angustifolia. By working with herb growers in this way, we have been able to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of issues affecting herb quality. Additionally, there is no one climate or habitat which is optimum for producing all the herbs supplied by MediHerb, hence the need to source from all around the world.

Shouldn't Echinacea only be used for 2 weeks at a time?

Many people have heard that Echinacea should not be used for more than 2 weeks at a time, however, this is not true and appears to have arisen from the misinterpretation of a German study. There are possibly thousands of empirical accounts of long-term Echinacea use with no evidence to support the '2-week theory'.

Isn't Valium derived from Valerian?

No, despite the similarity in names and uses, there is no connection between Valerian and Valium.

Is it better to use a single herb or a formula?

A skilled herbalist will seldom designate one single herb for a client. Formulas combine a synergy of actions to not only give the herbs a stronger effect, but to also address multiple concerns. Generally a good formula will have 2 to 6 herbs in it.

Why is alcohol used?

Alcohol (or ethanol) is used to optimize the activity of the final liquid preparation. The chemical characteristics of a herb are extracted and concentrated in a compact, convenient form. Alcohol promotes maximum absorption and assimilation. Many herb constituents, such as those found in woody, indigestible plants that would not normally be absorbed by the body, are readily extracted, absorbed and utilized. Alcohol is also an excellent natural preservative. MediHerb carefully selects the appropriate ethanol/water percentage needed to extract the active constituents specific to each individual herb.

How much alcohol are you actually taking in each dose?

A 5 mL dose contains as much alcohol as about one-sixth of a glass of beer or wine.

Are liquid extracts with alcohol safe to use for children?

Since children's dosages are adjusted to correspondingly lower amounts of liquid, and hence alcohol, it is estimated that a children's dose of liquid herbs contains as much, possibly even less, alcohol as a whole ripe banana (due to natural fermentation of the sugar).

What is the difference between extracts and tinctures?

Extracts and tinctures are both liquid preparations. The difference is the strength. Extracts are stronger because they are more concentrated. The ratio of extracts range from 1:1 to 1:2. The ratios of tinctures start at 1:3 and usually go to 1:10, although higher dilutions are certainly possible. The ratio is determined by how much liquid (AKA solvent) is used per measure of plant material used.

• SOLVENTS: In making a liquid preparation, the constituents of a herb are extracted by 'steeping' it in a solvent. In most cases, the solvent used is ethanol and water together. Although water, vinegar and glycerin are also viable solvents, they may not have the properties to extract as much constituent, and in some cases none of certain constituents of a plant. Also, ethanol preparations are 'preserved' by the alcohol content, thus will have a much longer shelf life.
• RATIO: The metric system is generally used for measuring, as this is a universal system. The first number in a ratio (e.g. 1:2) is the plant material; the second number is the measure of liquid solvent. In a 1:1 ratio, the measure is 1 Kilo (Imperial = 2.2 pounds) of plant material per 1 Liter (1.057 Quarts) of solvent, thus the designation 1(K) to 1(L). Likewise a 1:2 would be 1Kg to 2L and so forth. In single dose measurements, this is 1 gram of herb to 2 mL (milliliter) of liquid. The more solvent in a preparation, the more dilute it becomes, so the typical tincture, at 1:5, is less potent per mL than an extract, which is between a 1:1 and a 1:2.