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 Exclusive Kinetic Maceration
Herbs, Etc. created an innovative, proprietary process called kinetic maceration. During this process, the alcohol, water and herbs are placed in a hermetically sealed container and tumbled non-stop for 12 hours. Analyses concluded that Herbs, Etc.’s kinetic maceration method yields 20-50% more active constituents than the maceration methods used by other herbal companies.
Roots, Barks, Seeds & Gums: When Dry Intensifies
Some herbs fully release their medicinal properties when dried. This is especially true with roots, barks, seeds and gums. The drying process deactivates certain enzymes and helps release the active constituents. When these herbs are used dried, the extraction and concentration of hardy glycosides, alkaloids and other stable active constituents increase.
 Seeing is Believing
At Herbs, Etc. we always purchase roots, barks and stems in their whole form. Whole herbs prevent falsification by providing our herb buyers with obvious distinguishable plant characteristics. It is next to impossible to visually guarantee the identity of an herb powder. On the other hand, a whole herb is instantly identifiable. Keeping herbs in their whole form before grinding them protects against loss of potency and the destruction of their active constituents.
Gound Fresh Daily
Herbs are ground the same day they are extracted, otherwise they oxidize and lose their volatile oils. Test this yourself by crushing whole dried peppermint leaves into a powder. Leave them on a table overnight and smell the powder in the morning. You will notice a substantial loss of aroma. That’s why it is Herbs, Etc.’s policy to grind whole dried herbs the same day they are extracted.
Colder is Better
 In a manufacturing setting the heads of grinding mills become extremely hot. It is not unusual to observe temperatures between 150-250°F. This is of serious concern since it is known that heat destroys active constituents of herbs.
To prevent heat damage of herbs, Herbs, Etc. pioneered a method by which liquid nitrogen is injected around the grinding chamber. The herbs come out of the grinding process at temperatures around 30°F., thus protecting their active constituents. This method, called cryogenic (ultra-cold) grinding, is exclusive to Herbs, Etc.
Nothing Left Behind
 After the herbs are ground, they are packed in glass funnels. Alcohol and water are added on top and the liquid seeps through the column of herbs producing liquid herbal extracts. This process, called cold-process percolation, extracts all active constituents.
It's A High Pressure Job
Once the alcohol and water have gone through glass funnels, the cold percolated herbs are placed into our 150-ton press. This press, exclusive to the herbal industry, squeezes all of the remaining juices out of the herbs. The resulting liquid contains all of the medicinal properties of the herbs and yields Herbs, Etc.’s alcohol-based liquid herbal extract. What is left in the press is the cellulose or plant fibers. The fibers are given to the Santa Fe area farmers and are used as compost for next year’s plantings. The herbs have now gone full circle, back to the earth.
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