MediHerb, Quality Herbal Supplements Distributed by Standard Proces Inc.
Quality Assurance of Herbs
High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography
Identity and Purity
Before any herb is purchased, a sample of the batch being offered for sale is analyzed by the Quality Control Laboratory and compared to the quality criteria specified by MediHerb. At this point, we regularly reject herbs as only the herbs that meet or exceed the strict quality criteria are purchased.
When we receive the purchased batch of an herb, it is sampled according to a statistically valid sampling plan and then subjected to the same battery of tests as the pre-purchase sample. Only if the herb passes this second set of tests is the batch accepted into the factory for further processing. Depending upon the specific herb, the quality assurance process includes testing herbs for:
Globe Artichoke
Cynara scolymus
Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
- Color
- Aroma
- Texture
- Content of specified actives
- Thin Layer Chromatography fingerprinting
- Microbial levels
- Amount of extraneous matter
- Pesticides and herbicides
- Heavy metals
- Aflatoxins
- Radiation levels
Over the years, we have found many issues relating to quality, for example:
- Substitution of Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap) with other Scutellaria spp.
- Replacement of Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap) with Teucrium spp. (Germander)
- Adulteration of Hydrastis canadensis (Golden Seal)
- Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) substituted for Bacopa monnieri (Bacopa)
- Substitution of Stephania tetrandra by Aristolochia spp., which has the potential to cause kidney failure
- Samples of Andrographis paniculata (Andrographis) upon testing at MediHerb, revealed to have no andrographolide content (the active constituent)
- Samples of Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry) upon testing at MediHerb, were found to contain a coloring agent, in order to imitate anthocyanins (the quality marker responsible for the blue color in ripe Bilberries)
Our stringent testing regimes guard against:
- Substitution of species: one herb may be substituted for another less costly herb
- Adulteration of herbs: a high quality and expensive herb may have a cheaper herb or pharmaceutical mixed in with it
- Poor quality of herbs: herbs can vary enormously in quality and this means the effect you and your patients feel can vary enormously
This ensures that the herbs approved for use in MediHerb products are of the correct species, are the correct plant part, have the correct active constituent profile and are free from contamination. Therefore you as the clinician can rest assured that the MediHerb product contains exactly what it says on the label.
Storage and Handling of Herbs
After approval by the Quality Assurance process, all herbs are transferred to our refrigerated warehouse which is maintained at a constant 59°F and 40% humidity. Refrigerated storage, although expensive to maintain, avoids the need for any pesticides to be used for insect control. This ensures our organic herbs remain organic and ensures that all our herbs remain free of insect contamination prior to processing. Herbs are handled and processed at every stage with the utmost care. For example, herbs are milled in preparation for extraction under very low temperature cryogenic conditions to protect against excessive heating, which can damage the fragile active components.