Natural plant extracts in liquid form are concentrates containing active substances from various plants and are widely used in the cosmetic and nutraceutical industries for their many health and beauty benefits. These extracts are extracted from different parts of the plant, such as leaves, flowers, roots, seeds and bark, and contain a high concentration of beneficial compounds such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids and essential oils.
Applications in the cosmetics industry
In the cosmetics industry, natural plant extracts are often used for skin and hair care. Their benefits include:
- Hydration and regeneration: aloe vera, chamomile and green tea extracts help hydrate the skin, stimulate cell renewal and reduce irritation, which is why they are popular in creams, serums and lotions.
- Antioxidant effects: green tea, rosemary and grape seed extracts contain high levels of antioxidants that protect the skin against free radicals and slow down the ageing process.
- Anti-inflammatory: plants such as calendula, chamomile and sage contain ingredients that reduce redness, irritation and inflammation on the skin, which is why they are popular in products for sensitive and problematic skin.
Applications in the food industry
In the food industry, plant extracts are used as food supplements and functional ingredients for their health benefits:
- Immune support: extracts from plants such as American strawberry, ginger and rosehip support the immune system and reduce the chance of infections.
- Antioxidant protection: blueberry, rosehip and green tea extracts have high levels of antioxidants that protect the body against oxidative stress, helping to maintain heart, skin and vision health.
- Digestive health: extracts of dandelion, artichoke and mint stimulate digestion, relieve bloating and help with liver and digestive system problems.
Applications and health benefits
Herbal extracts in liquid form can be used in:
- Cosmetic products: in creams, serums, face masks, shampoos and conditioners.
- Food supplements: As ingredients in gelatine capsules, powders or health-boosting liquids.
- Beverages and foods: as functional ingredients in juices, teas or other value-added foods.
These extracts offer a natural approach to improving health and beauty, offering a gentle but effective alternative to synthetic ingredients that can support holistic health and well-being.
| Sea Buckthorn | Black Currant fluid extract |
| Nettle fluid extract | Sage fluid extract |
| Ginger fluid extract | Turmeric fluid extract |
| Marshmallow (root) fluid extract | Hawthorn fluid extract |
| Passionflower herb fluid extract | Valerian fluid extract |
| Rose root fluid extract | Black Elder fluid extract |
| Chamomile extract | Mentha pipperita extract |
| Echinacea fluid extract | Ginkgo biloba extract |
The extraction of plant extracts with standardised active ingredients is a process where natural extracts are extracted and processed to contain a consistent amount of specific active ingredients that are key to therapeutic or functional effects. This standardisation ensures that the extracts are effective and safe, and that manufacturers can ensure consistent quality across all batches of a product.
Process for obtaining standardised plant extracts
- Plant selection and collection of raw materials: The first stage involves selecting the right type of plant and the specific parts of the plant (leaves, flowers, roots, seeds) that contain the target active ingredient. It is important that the plants are grown under optimal conditions, as the content and quality of the active ingredients depend on the environment, soil and climate.
- Extraction: extraction is the process by which the active ingredients are separated from the plant material. The most commonly used methods are:
- Maceration: the plant material is soaked in a solvent that extracts the target active substances.
- Percolation: in this method, the solvent is slowly passed through the plant material, allowing the extraction of the active substances.
- Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction (CO₂): this advanced technique uses supercritical CO₂ to efficiently extract the target active ingredients without the use of organic solvents.
- Concentration and standardisation: once the extraction is complete, the extract is processed to ensure a uniform concentration of the target active ingredient. Standardisation is the process of adding or subtracting certain components of the extract until a precise percentage of the active ingredient is achieved.
- Testing and quality control: each batch of standardised extract is then tested to verify the content of the active ingredients and to ensure the appropriate concentrations for therapeutic effects. This includes tests for purity, stability and microbiological safety.
The Benefits of standardized extracts
- Consistency: standardization allows for a consistent amount of active ingredient in each product, which means predictable effects.
- Safety and efficacy: Standardization makes doses more precise, reducing the risk of overdose or ineffectiveness.
- Support for scientific research: standardized extracts are essential for clinical studies as they allow the effects of precise concentrations of the active ingredient to be measured.