HERBAL COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR PREPARING THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention relates to herbal compositions and method for preparing thereof. The herbal composition is derived from pulverizing at least two herbal materials selected from a group of herbal materials consisting of Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Agrimonia pilosa, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus, and mushroom. The pulverized herbal materials are combined to obtain a mixed herbal powder which is then extracted with a solvent to obtain a concentrated herbal extract, wherein the concentrated herbal extract is dried to obtain a dry powder of the herbal compositions.

Claims

1. A process for preparing a herbal composition comprising: a. pulverizing at least two herbal materials, wherein the at least two herbal materials comprise herbal materials selected from the group consisting of Panax ginseng, Agrimonia pilosa, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus and mushroom; b. combining the pulverized herbal materials to obtain a mixed herbal powder; c. extracting the mixed herbal powder with a solvent at certain temperature for a certain period of time to obtain a herbal extract; d. concentrating the herbal extract, wherein the concentrated herbal extract has a density of from about 0.2 g/cm.sup.3 to about 2 g/cm.sup.3; and e. drying the herbal extract to obtain the herbal composition.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein each of the herbal materials is pulverized individually.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein all herbal materials are mixed and pulverized.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein Panax ginseng is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

5. The process of claim 1, wherein Glycyrrhiza uralensis is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein Agrimonia pilosa is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein Gynostemma pentaphyllum is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein asparagus is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein mushroom is present in an amount from about 1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein the process further comprises increasing the temperature of the extraction process from about 30° C. to about 100° C.

11. The process of claim 1, wherein the extraction time further comprises increasing the extraction time from about 1 hour to 3 hours.

12. The process of claim 1, wherein the drying of the herbal extract is performed by spray-drying.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the drying of the herbal extract is coupled to a fluidized bed.

14. A process for preparing a herbal composition comprises a mixture of herbal materials, wherein the mixture of herbal materials comprises Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Agrimonia pilosa, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus and mushroom, the process comprising: a. pulverizing herbal materials; b. combining the pulverized herbal materials to obtain a mixed herbal powder; c. extracting the mixed herbal powder with a solvent at a temperature from about 40° C. to about 70° C. for a period of time from about 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours to obtain a herbal extract; d. concentrating the herbal extract to obtain a concentrated herbal liquid, wherein the concentrated herbal liquid has a density of from about 0.8 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.5 g/cm.sup.3; e. loading the concentrated herbal liquid on a fluidized bed; and f. spray drying the herbal liquid to obtain the herbal composition.

15. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixture of herbal materials comprises: a. from about 1% to about 60% of ginseng by weight; b. from about 1% to about 60% of Glycyrrhiza uralensis by weight; c. from about 1% to about 60% of Agrimonia pilosa by weight; d. from about 1% to about 60% of Gynostemma pentaphyllum by weight; e. from about 1% to about 60% of asparagus by weight; and f. from about 1% to about 60% of mushroom by weight; g. wherein all of which are based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

16. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixture of herbal materials comprises: a. from about 10% to about 40% of Panax ginseng by weight; b. from about 10% to about 40% of Glycyrrhiza uralensis by weight; c. from about 1% to about 40% of Agrimonia pilosa by weight; d. from about 5% to about 35% of Gynostemma pentaphyllum by weight; e. from about 10% to about 40% of asparagus by weight; and f. from about 1% to about 40% of mushroom by weight; g. wherein all of which are based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

17. The process of claim 14, wherein the mixture of herbal materials comprises: a. from about 15% to about 25% of Panax ginseng by weight; b. from about 15% to about 25% of Glycyrrhiza uralensis by weight; c. from about 1% to about 30% of Agrimonia pilosa by weight; d. from about 10% to about 25% of Gynostemma pentaphyllum by weight; e. from about 15% to about 25% of asparagus by weight; and f. from about 1% to about 10% of mushroom by weight; g. wherein all of which are based on the weight of the mixed herbal powder.

18. A composition of herbal extract prepared by the process of claim 1.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURE

[0017] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing steps of the exemplary method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges, and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

[0020] The term “herbal,” as used herein, refers to plant substances or products of natural origin, in approximately the concentration as found in nature, and similar variations and modifications, and the like. The herbal materials may be fresh, freshly-dried, or dried. The part of the plant used as the herbal materials of the present embodiments may vary. The present process may use some or all parts of the targeted plant, including flowers, leaves, stems, and roots combined.

[0021] Examples of the herbal materials of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, Panax ginseng; Gynostemma pentaphyllum (often called as Southern ginseng); Glycyrrhiza uralensis; Agrimonia pilosa; asparagus, such as Asparagus officinalis, Asparagus racemosus; mushroom, such as Ganoderma lucidum, Poria cocos, Cordyceps sinensis, Polyporus umbellatus, Auricularia auricula, Lentinus edodes and Hericium erinaceus; and mixtures thereof.

[0022] The herbal composition of the present embodiments may include two, three, four or more herbal materials. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes at least two herbal materials, at least three herbal materials, at least four herbal materials, or at least five herbal materials. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng and Gynostemma pentaphyllum. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition include Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum and asparagus. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum and mushroom. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, asparagus and mushroom. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes asparagus, mushroom and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus and mushroom. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and asparagus. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and mushroom. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus and mushroom. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, asparagus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, mushroom, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition include asparagus, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes mushroom, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Agrimonia pilosa. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Agrimonia pilosa and asparagus. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Agrimonia pilosa and mushroom. In certain embodiments, the herbal composition includes Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Agrimonia pilosa, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus and mushroom.

[0023] The herbal materials may be pulverized individually (i.e., pulverize one herbal material and not mixed with other herbal materials), or may be pulverized with one or more herbal materials. The pulverized herbal materials may be combined together to obtain a mixed herbal powder.

[0024] Based on the total weight of the mixed herbal powder (dry powder), Panax ginseng may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 15% to about 25%, or from about 21% to about 23%; Glycyrrhiza uralensis may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 15% to about 25%, or from about 20% to about 25%; Agrimonia pilosa may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 1% to about 40%, from about 1% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 15%, or from about 9% to about 11%, Gynostemma pentaphyllum may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 5% to about 35%, from about 10% to about 25%, or from about 16% to about 18%; asparagus may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 15% to about 25%, or from about 22% to about 24%; mushroom may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 60%, from about 1% to about 40%, from about 1% to about 10%, or from about 6% to about 8%.

[0025] The mixed herbal powder is subjected to an extraction with ethanol/water mixture. The ratio of the alcohol to water may be from about 80:20 to about 99:1, from about 90:10 to about 98:2, from about 95:5 to about 97:3 by volume. The mixed herbal powder may extracted several tines, e.g., 2-3, 2-4, 2-5 or more times with the extraction solvent to obtain a herbal extract. The weight ratio of the extraction solvent to the mixed herbal powder may be in the range of from about 2 to about 8, from about 3 to about 7, or from about 4 to about 6. The temperature of the herbal extract may be increased from about 40° C. to about 100° C., such as from about 55° C. to about 60° C. Such elevated temperature may be maintained for, from about 0.1 to about 5 hours, from about 0.5 to about 4 hours, or from about 1 to about 3 hours.

[0026] Subsequently, the herbal extract may be concentrated down to obtain a concentrated herbal liquid. The concentrated herbal liquid may have a density of from about 0.2 g/cm.sup.3 to about 2 g/cm.sup.3, 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.5 g/cm.sup.3, or 1.0 g/cm.sup.3 to about 1.2 g/cm.sup.3.

[0027] Drying of the concentrated herbal extract may be carried out by any conventional drying method, such as but not limited to, drying under reduced pressure, spray drying (atomization), and freeze drying or lyophilization. Spray drying technique is a transformation of feed from a fluid state into dried particulate form by spraying the feed into a hot drying medium. It is a continuous particle-processing drying operation. The feed can be a solution, suspension, dispersion, emulsion or slip. Spraying drying can be coupled with a fluidized bed. The concentrated herbal liquid may be loaded onto a fluidized bed for drying, and then further spray dried to obtain the herbal composition. The concentrated herbal liquid passing through the fluidized bed becomes coarser and free flowing, making it much easier for spray drying. The reason for better flow ability is a partial agglomeration.

[0028] The herbal composition of the present disclosure nay be in solid form, which may be in dry powders, granules, or agglomerates. The herbal composition may be placed into capsules or tablets.

[0029] The following examples are for the purpose of illustration of the embodiments only and are not intended in any way to :limit the scope of the disclosure.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0030] Six herbs, Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Agrimonia pilosa, Gynostemma pentaphyllum, asparagus and mushroom were carefully cleaned and ground respectively. The powders were well blended basing on the ratio of weight, 22.0%, 20.3%, 10.0%, 17.0%, 23.0% and 7.7% respectively. The blended herb powder was extracted 2 to 3 times by alcohol solution (ethanol/water=95/5, v/v). The alcohol solution was added at 5 times weight of the blended herb powder. The mixture was then heated to 60° C. for 2 hours. The extract solutions were filtrated, and combined together. The combined extract solution was concentrated in a decompressed evaporator, to a thick solution at the density of about 1.10 g/cm.sup.3. This thick solution was loaded on a fluidized bed (or similar devices), and spray to dry powder. The herbs extract powders were accurately weighed, and packed to final products. The reference data of fluidized bed was as following:

[0031] Speed of rotary plate: 20000 R/min.

[0032] Speed of rotary plate: 20000 R/min.

[0033] Temperature of inlet air: 210-250° C.

[0034] Temperature of outlet air: 80-90° C.

[0035] Flow rate of solution: 90-150 ml/min.

[0036] Sieving mesh: 80 mesh.

[0037] While the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, in both summarized and detailed forms, it is not intended that these descriptions in any way limit its scope to any such embodiments and applications, and it will be understood that many substitutions, changes and variations in the described embodiments, applications and details of the method and system illustrated herein and of their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of this invention.