Extract

An extract is a medicinal product that is obtained from plant or animal raw materials by extraction. Unlike tinctures and decoctions, which contain only active substances, extracts contain all the components of the original raw material.

Extracts can be prepared in a variety of ways. The most common method is maceration, in which the raw material is infused in water or alcohol for a certain time and then filtered. Distillation, pressing and freezing methods are also used.

The extract can be used to treat various ailments such as colds, flu, coughs, sore throats, and to improve digestion and metabolism. It can also be used as a cosmetic for skin and hair care.

However, before using the extract, you should consult your doctor to ensure that it is suitable for your specific case. Some extracts may have side effects, so it is important to follow the instructions for use and not exceed the recommended dosage.

"What is an extract?

Before moving on to the definition of this concept in medicine and pharmacology, it must be said that products of plant origin are often used under this name. It may also mean their infusion or decoctions. However, in Latin there was only a word that meant not only that which is separated from the mixture or scraped off, but also that which is pulled out of the mixture by force (contraherent). This concept was borrowed by all European languages ​​- “extrahere” (Spanish), “extrait” (French), etc. It came in turn from a verb meaning to extract something.

The question arises: if a substance is obtained from raw materials by a method called extraction (extraktion), then why are tinctures and decoctions also needed? Even from the name of these products it is clear that they contain herbal products. That is the same extract. But they are inferior in content to the former, since part of the active substance is removed when the liquid settles into sediment, and another part into volatile compounds. The older the tincture or decoction, the greater the loss of vitamins, vitamins and microelements. They are prepared in order to preserve biologically active compounds for as long as possible, to stabilize their presence in the medicine, and to better remove ballast substances. Often taking tinctures and decoctions provides the best therapeutic effect, so many of them are used on their own. They are convenient because they are used in the preparation of liniments and injection solutions. And the mixture of water and alcohol (extractant) used during extraction can be mixed with any other components and brought to the state of a sol. Moreover, the ratio of the raw mixture to the extractant can be changed throughout the entire process of separating the liquid part to obtain the required composition. To do this, with each extraction, the liquid substance (usually in a proportion of about 0.5 g of powder per 20 ml of liquid) is filtered. And in order to turn the purified extract into a tincture or decoction, the drug is brought to the required alcohol concentration and kept for 1-4 weeks, after which the liquid is drained.