A strategic dosage form

More than other sectors, phytotherapy dosage forms are of primordial importance. By dosage forms is meant the administration form (drinkable solution, gel capsule, etc.) and consequently the mode of producing and absorbing the given plant. In phytotherapy, there are a certain number of dosage forms that are not all equivalent in terms of bioavailability, i.e., in terms of quantity and absorption capacity of the active ingredients. Before choosing a phytotherapeutic dietary supplement, it is important to know what you are buying and what you can expect from it.

Infusions or tisanes
This is the most popular and commonly used form of phytotherapy. Commonly used plants can be consumed in the form of a tisane (thyme, rosemary, chamomile, mint, verbena, linden, etc.). Infusion consists of allowing the dried plant to infuse (loose or in bags) in boiling water for around ten minutes. The substances extracted by this process are water-soluble molecules. The parts that are used in infusion are most often the leaves or blossoms of the given plant.

Decoctions
Similar to infusion, for decoction, a mixture of cold water/dried plant is brought to a boil then boiled for around ten minutes. The parts that are used in decoction are most often the bark or roots of the given plant. In fact, the decoction process allows extracting active ingredients that are less easily available than in leaves or blossoms.

Mother tinctures
Mother tinctures are prepared by allowing fresh plants to macerate in alcohol (40 to 60°) for approximately one month. White and neutral alcohols are generally used for the production of mother tinctures. During this maceration, only alcohol-soluble active ingredients of the given plant are dissolved in the alcohol. They are therefore available when this mother tincture is ingested. The mother tincture is consumed in very small quantities (a few drops a day) diluted in a glass of water.

Extracts
Extracts are obtained after having allowed the given plant to macerate in an aqueous or alcoholic solution. The mixture is then filtered and evaporated in order to keep only the dry matter. Extracts have the advantage of guaranteeing a certain concentration of active ingredient.