Herbal Preparations & Dosage Forms Flashcards

What does the ratio in a 1:5 tincture represent?

Answer: 1 gram of dried herb extracted in 5 mL of menstruum

A 1:5 tincture means 1 gram of dried herb is extracted in 5 mL of menstruum (solvent), describing the herb-to-solvent weight-to-volume ratio.

Cold infusions are most appropriate for extracting which type of plant constituents?

Answer: Mucilaginous polysaccharides and delicate aromatic compounds

Cold water gently extracts mucilaginous polysaccharides and preserves volatile, heat-sensitive aromatic compounds that would be degraded by hot water.

Which alcohol concentration in a hydroethanolic menstruum is most effective for extracting resins and volatile oils?

Answer: 90–95%

Resins and volatile oils are highly lipophilic and require high-alcohol concentrations of 90–95% to dissolve effectively due to their non-polar nature.

A decoction differs from a standard infusion primarily in that it:

Answer: Involves simmering hard plant materials for 15–45 minutes

Decoctions involve actively simmering hard plant materials such as roots, bark, and seeds for 15–45 minutes to break down tough cell walls and release constituents.

Glycerites are preferred over alcohol-based tinctures for which patient population?

Answer: Children and individuals avoiding alcohol consumption

Glycerites use vegetable glycerin as the solvent, making them completely alcohol-free and suitable for children, pregnant women, and those with alcohol sensitivities.

Compared to a 1:5 tincture, the appropriate dose of a 1:1 fluid extract of the same herb would be:

Answer: One-fifth of the 1:5 tincture dose

A 1:1 fluid extract is five times more concentrated than a 1:5 tincture, so the dose must be reduced to one-fifth to deliver an equivalent amount of herb.

Which component of a hydroethanolic tincture menstruum serves primarily as a preservative against microbial growth?

Answer: Ethanol (alcohol)

Ethanol inhibits bacterial, fungal, and viral growth through protein denaturation, which is why properly prepared tinctures with sufficient alcohol have a multi-year shelf life.