Echinaceais a popular herbal remedy used to help fight off colds and infections thanks to its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. While echinacea can be taken as a tea, liquid extracts are considered more effective since they contain higher concentrations of active compounds. 

Echinacea Species: Purpurea vs Angustifolia

There are nine known species of Echinacea, but E. purpurea and E. angustifolia are the two most common medicinal varieties containing research-backed therapeutic compounds:

Echinacea purpurea – The above-ground parts, especially the fresh flowers, leaves, and stems are traditionally used in natural medicine preparations. Contains high levels of polysaccharides, cichoric acid plus alkylamides. Offers a balanced spectrum of bioactive metabolites.

Echinacea angustifolia –The roots tend to be most potent for medicinal purposes. High in echinacoside, angustifolone, cichoric acid, and alkylamides but lower polysaccharides. Root extracts show high immunostimulatory effects.

Due to their complementary bioactive profiles, combining E. purpurea aerial parts and E. angustifolia roots into one extract takes advantage of the full spectrum of echinacea’s active compounds. This is simpler to accomplish when making your own preparation.

Benefits of Homemade Echinacea Extract

• 100% control over ingredient sourcing and quality

• Ensure optimal freshness of herbs  

• Higher levels of active compounds

• Save money relative to commercial products

• Customize combinations, solvents, and dosing

• Learn an empowering traditional home medicine skill

Supplies Needed to Make Extract

Here is an overview of supplies you’ll need depending on the type of extract you want to make:

Essentials For All Extracts:  

- Organic dried Echinacea purpurea and/or angustifolia herb

- Kitchen scale for weighing herbs

- Quart mason jar(s) with lid (1 pint jar work for smaller batches)

- Blender and/or coffee grinder

- Cheesecloth, fine mesh strainer & funnel

- Glass bottles for finished extract

For Glycerite Method:

- Vegetable glycerin - food-grade/organic suggested (approx. 1 cup per 1 Oz dry herb used)

For Alcohol Method:

- 80-100 proof vodka or grain alcohol (approx. 100-150 mL per Oz dry herb)

All equipment touching herbs should be sterilized (dishwasher or soap/water scrub then rinse well) prior to minimizing microbial contamination.

Choosing High-Quality Echinacea Herb

With numerous echinacea supplements available from a variety of brands, choosing high-quality plant material makes all the difference when making your own preparations. Here are key aspects to look for when sourcing dried echinacea:

Species - Search for individual E. purpurea or E. angustifolia species or an intentionally combined formula. Avoid generic “Echinacea” that doesn’t designate exact species.

Organic – Choosing certified organic ensures minimal residual pesticides and is especially important for root material more prone to accumulation. Check for USDA Organic or other accredited organic seals.

Part Used- Clearly labeled aerial parts vs root powder. Species combined with standardized root/leaf ratios are also fine options.

Color, Smell, and Taste – Should reflect species. Purplish flowers/leaves and fibrous roots with a slightly sweet, pungent aroma and taste. Minimally brown material.

Reputable Brand with High Reviews – A trusted herbal supplier with many satisfied reviews helps minimize risks of adulteration or poor handling practices lowering quality.

Once you have high-quality dried echinacea, there are two basic methods commonly used to make liquid extracts at home. The glycerite technique with food-grade vegetable glycerin or an alcohol extraction using vodka/ethanol. Let’s review both processes.

Glycerite Method to Make Echinacea Extract

Glycerin is a sweet, viscous liquid that acts as an excellent natural solvent to extract herbal compounds into a highly palatable alcohol-free preparation. It has natural preservative properties allowing reasonable shelf life for homemade glycerites without requiring refrigeration. Here is the easy process:

What You’ll Need:

- Dried echinacea - 1 ounce by weight (approx. 1 cup)

- 1 Cup food-grade vegetable glycerin

- Quart mason jar

- Cheesecloth, funnel & 4 Oz amber bottle with dropper

Step 1 - Activation

Begin by sterilizing your mason jar (including lid) by running through the dishwasher or thoroughly washing with hot soapy water then rinsing well. You want to remove any residue.

Measure one ounce (approx. one cup) of your dried echinacea into jar. The dried herb may be chopped/crushed into smaller pieces first to expose more surface area which can improve extraction efficiency.  

Pour 1 cup (8 Oz) vegetable glycerin over the herbs completely immersing them then tightly seal the mason jar. Shake the jar vigorously for 2 minutes to aggressively mix and activate the herbs for initial penetration of glycerin into plant cells releasing bioactive compounds.

Step 2 - Maceration  

After shaking, place the jar in a warm location (75-85°F is optimal) away from direct light and allow mixture to steep for 2 to 4 weeks. Shake jar daily for 30 seconds during this first 2 week maceration window to continually agitate mixture allowing fresh glycerin to penetrate cell walls and dissolve/attract additional plant compounds into solution from the marc (herb bulk).

Step 3 - Straining & Second Run (Optional)

After minimum 2 weeks, strain liquid through a cheesecloth lined funnel into a clean quart jar or bowl applying firm pressure to squeeze out all liquid. Avoid over-compressing marc/pulp to prevent sediment leaking through.

Reserve the wet herb marc mass. You now have the option for a second extraction run with fresh glycerin by repeating the maceration process for another 1-2 weeks. This will yield additional herbal compounds for an even more potent extract then strain again. However, the first run liquid will still have reasonably high extraction efficiency.  

Step 4 – Storage & Dosing

Transfer finished echinacea glycerite liquid into your storage container(s) preferably 4 ounce or smaller amber bottles that minimize light exposure with built-in droppers. Avoid residue touching droppers or pouring spouts when bottling.  

Label your homemade echinacea glycerite with name/ingredients, date made and approximate shelf life (1-2 years refrigerated, 6+ months room temp). Shake extracts prior to dosing. Standard serving sizes for echinacea glycerites are around 1.5-2 mL, 1 to 3 times per day. But certain commercial products use varying suggested intakes.

Alcohol Extraction Method

Compared to glycerin’s gentler extraction action, alcohol as a solvent penetrates plant cell walls rapidly and tends to extract higher levels of bioactive compounds in the end product. But alcohol-based preparations also have much shorter shelf life. Here is how to make your own alcohol extracted echinacea tincture:

What You’ll Need:

- 1 ounce dried echinacea herb  

- 3.5 to 5 ounces 80-100 proof vodka or grain alcohol (~100 to 150 mL)

- Quart mason jar

- Cheesecloth, funnel & amber bottle w/ dropper  

Step 1 – Activation  

Follow same initial jar sterilization, herb weighing, chopping and activation steps previously described under glycerite method. Except for the maceration liquid use 100 to 150 mL of 80-100 proof vodka or neutral grain spirit instead of glycerin to immerse herbs.

Step 2 - Maceration

After vigorous shaking for 2 minutes, store jar away from light at room temp for 2 weeks shaking gently daily to continually agitate herbs and maximize extraction efficiency into alcohol solvent.  

Step 3 – Straining & Pressing

After minimum 14 days, strain liquid through a cheesecloth-lined funnel into a clean quart jar carefully squeezing/pressing herbs to obtain all liquid then discard marc. No second run suggested when using alcohol solvent.  

Step 4 – Storage & Dosing

Transfer finished extract into your storage container(s) preferably 2 to 4 ounce amber bottles outfitted with droppers. Always avoid residue contacting pouring spouts or droppers.

Be sure to label your homemade echinacea tincture with name, ingredient, date made and approximate shelf life (2 years unrefrigerated, indefinitely refrigerated). Suggested dosing is generally 0.5 to 1 mL, three times per day.

Shelf Life & Storage Considerations  

When stored properly in clean amber bottles away from heat and light, homemade echinacea extracts can remain viable for:

- 1-2 years when refrigerated (especially glycerites)

- 6 months to 1 year room temperature (glycerites)  

- 2+ years room temp (alcohol extracts)

Over time extracts slowly lose potency so use within first year for best activity. Signs of spoilage can include changes in color, aroma or flavor. Always apply “first-in first-out” approach using oldest preparations first then making new batches to maintain freshness.

Tips to Enhance Effectiveness

Here are some additional considerations when preparing homemade echinacea extract:

- Use fresh dried herbs within one year of harvest/production date for optimal potency.

- Keep alcohol strength minimum 80 proof (40%) for highest extraction efficiency.

- Combining E. purpurea leaves & flowers with E angustifolia roots provides full spectrum of active compounds.

- Reduce light exposure during maceration and storage periods.

- Make smaller batches more frequently to capitalize on freshness. 

What are the ingredients in echinacea extract?

Polysaccharides - Water-soluble carbohydrate complexes with potent immunomodulating properties. Shown to activate macrophages and natural killer cells. Most concentrated in the above-ground parts of E. purpurea.

Alkylamides - Lipophilic compounds that easily penetrate cells and modulate inflammatory cytokines. Highest levels found in the roots of E. angustifolia species. Provide local anesthetic effects.

Caffeic acid derivatives - Phenolic acids like cichoric acid, echinacoside, and cynarine known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Present abundantly in both roots and upper plant parts.

Other ingredients like volatile oils, vitamin C, selenium and flavonoids complement immune-enhancing actions. Specific makeup varies depending on Echinacea species and plant parts used.

What is the most potent part of echinacea?

The most pharmacologically active components are usually found concentrated in the roots and/or upper parts including flowers, leaves and stems. Here’s a comparison:

Roots - The taproots of Echinacea angustifolia and E. pallida have the highest overall activity based on research. Rich source of alkylamides, cichoric acid and polysaccharides indicating the roots are a key active part.

Leaves and Stems - Contain more variation and balanced profile of ingredients including higher levels of some polysaccharides and essential oils. Moderate potency. Main parts used from E. purpurea.

Flowers - Contain higher phenolic acids like cichoric acid plus some unique polysaccharides. Reported to have potent immunomodulating effects and is popular for use in extracts.

In general, Echinacea Root Extract provides the strongest stimulation of phagocytic immune cells while the upper plant parts activate additional complementary immune pathways. Using extracts standardized for both roots and aerial parts ensures a comprehensive spectrum of bioactive constituents.

Benefits of Echinacea Tinctures

Many herbal supplement products rely on simple powders or weak decoctions where potency can deteriorate quickly. In contrast, echinacea tinctures help concentrate and deliver a robust dose using alcohol extraction for better absorption.

Taking echinacea as a tincture provides these advantages:

Higher Strength - Alcohol solvent penetrates plant material extracting more active compounds resulting in stronger immune-enhancing effects. Certain constituents like alkyl amides require alcohol for absorption.

Better Absorption - Compounds pre-dissolved into alcohol solution allow direct diffusion across mucous membranes under the tongue and in the GI tract maximizing bioavailability.

Added Value - More cost-effective use of echinacea since less material provides stronger medicinal activity in a convenient liquid solution

Improved Stability - An alcohol matrix protects delicate compounds from degradation better than water alone providing more consistent dosing over a longer shelf life.

Versus dried powders/capsules or tea, high-quality echinacea tinctures deliver optimal convenience, potency, stability, absorption and overall medicinal value based on the inherent benefits of alcohol extracts. They enable capturing the full synergistic activity of Echinacea’s bioactive ingredients ready to fortify your immune health all in one convenient dose.

Conclusion

While commercial Echinacea Extract Powder has a role for convenience, creating your own custom formulations allows complete control over ingredient sources, potency, combinations used, and ultimately effectiveness. Plus it saves you money while expanding your herbal medicine-making skills!

Both glycerin and alcohol preparations have relative pros and cons. But fundamentally follow the same basic extraction methodology of activating herbs, extended maceration, and straining into a finished extract full of echinacea’s immune-enhancing properties. With proper storage considerations for maximizing shelf life, homemade echinacea extracts can be an easy and reliable component of your natural health toolkit to help fight infection this winter season and beyond!

Hubei Sanxin Biotechnology Co., Ltd. has integrated research and development, production, and sales for many years. We are your reliable Echinacea Purpurea Extract Powder wholesaler. We can supply customized services as you request.

Email: nancy@sanxinbio.com

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