RH Herbal Preparations & Dosage Forms 2

Question 1

In herbal extraction terminology, the 'marc' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The spent plant material remaining after pressing the extract

Answer

The marc is the exhausted plant material (spent herb) left after the liquid menstruum has been pressed or drained away from the extraction vessel.

Question 2

Percolation is preferred over simple maceration primarily because it:

Accepted Answer

Continuously exposes plant material to fresh menstruum, maintaining an extraction gradient

Answer

In percolation, fresh menstruum continuously replaces saturated solvent, maintaining a concentration gradient that drives more complete extraction of plant constituents.

Question 3

Acetum herbal preparations use which primary menstruum?

Accepted Answer

Apple cider vinegar or food-grade acetic acid solution

Answer

Acetum preparations use apple cider vinegar or food-grade acetic acid as the solvent, which is particularly effective at extracting minerals and certain alkaloids from plant material.

Question 4

Standardized herbal extracts are 'standardized' to ensure:

Accepted Answer

A consistent percentage of one or more identified marker compounds per dose

Answer

Standardization guarantees that each dose contains a specified percentage of key active or marker compounds (e.g., 0.3% hypericin in St. John's Wort extract) for consistent potency.

Question 5

For a client who needs rapid absorption and precise dose adjustment, which dosage form is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Liquid tincture or fluid extract

Answer

Liquid tinctures and fluid extracts are absorbed more rapidly than solid forms because they bypass the dissolution step, and doses can be easily titrated with a dropper.

(RH) Registered Herbalist Practice Test

(RH) Registered Herbalist Practice Test

RH Herbal Preparations & Dosage Forms 2