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CRYOGENIC
GRINDING |
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What is cryogenic grinding? |
Cryogenic grinding is a method of powdering herbs at sub-zero temperatures ranging from 0 to minus 70°F. The herbs are frozen with liquid nitrogen as they are being ground. This process does not damage or alter the chemical composition of the plant in any way. Normal grinding processes which do not use a cooling system can reach up to 200°F. These high temperatures can reduce volatile components and heat-sensitive constituents in herbs. The cryogenic grinding process starts with air-dried herbs, rather than freeze-dried herbs.
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Cryogenic Grinding Proven to Improve Herb Quality |
A scientifically controlled study using four herbs was
conducted at Frontier Herbs in the Fall of 1996, comparing cryogenic grinding methods with
normal grinding methods. The herbs tested included feverfew, goldenseal, valerian and
echinacea. In all cases the cryogenically ground herb contained greater amounts of the
constituents tested. Feverfew herb showed the greatest difference, with the cryogenically
ground herb containing 21.8% higher levels of parthenolide, the primary active
constituent. Valerian root showed an 18.7% increase in valerenic acid when cryogenically
ground. Goldenseal root showed a 16.4% increase in berberine and 10.7% increase in
hydrastine. Lastly, Echinacea purpurea root showed a 12.1% increase in total phenolic
content in the cryogenically ground root. Test results were obtained by HPLC (high
performance liquid chromatography) methods.
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Summary of Test Results |
Cryogenic grinding was shown to significantly affect active
constituent levels in herbs. Test results showed an average increase of 15.6% in
constituents tested in four medicinal herbs when they were ground cryogenically. The range
was 10.7% to 21.8%, indicating that some herbs are affected more than others by the
temperatures at which they're ground.
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Frontier Cryogenically Grinds Herbs for Our Capsules |
Frontier, who makes all of our high quality herbal capsules
available here online, cryogenically grinds 95% of the herbs used in our herb capsule
line, another step we take to ensure our customers receive only the best quality herbal
remedies. For a complete copy of our test procedures and results, e-mail Frontier or call them (1-800-669-3275) and ask for Frontier's "Cryogenic Grinding Study" conducted by Dr. Wendi Wang, senior chemist. |
