Why We Use Alcohol
in Our Herbal Extracts
At NutraMedix, we prioritize creating effective and bioavailable herbal extracts to support your
patients’ health. One critical aspect of our process is the use of food
-
grade ethanol (24%) in our
extraction
formulas. This approach is backed by scientific research, ensuring that our products
deliver the maximum therapeutic benefits for your patients.
Below, we outline the science and rationale behind our use of alcohol
in herbal extracts, along with key benefits relevant to your practice.
Why We Use Alcohol
in Our Herbal Extracts
At NutraMedix, we prioritize creating effective and bioavailable herbal extracts to support your
patients’ health. One critical aspect of our process is the use of food
-
grade ethanol (24%) in our
extraction
formulas. This approach is backed by scientific research, ensuring that our products
deliver the maximum therapeutic benefits for your patients.
Below, we outline the science and rationale behind our use of alcohol
in herbal extracts, along with key benefits relevant to your practice.
Superior Extraction for Full - Spectrum Benefits
Ethanol allows us to extract both water
-
soluble and fat
-
soluble compounds, ensuring a full
-
spectrum herbal product. While water
-
only extractions are limited to hydrophilic co
mpounds,
ethanol provides access to a broader range of active constituents. Ethanol also outperforms
glycerin in extracting a more comprehensive profile of beneficial components.
The result? A hydro
-
ethanol extract that delivers a robust spectrum of plant
-
based constituents to
meet diverse health needs.
Enhanced Bioavailability
Rapid Absorption
Ethanol’s pharmacokinetic properties allow it to be absorbed directly from the stomach (20%)
and the small intestine (80%), offering a highly efficient delivery
system for herbal compounds.¹
Facilitated Cellular Uptake
Ethanol’s lipophilic and hydrophilic properties alter cellular membrane permeability, enabling
beneficial compounds to enter cells more effectively.²
When used in the recommended dosages, the et
hanol content in our extracts is metabolized
quickly, without concerns about accumulation or toxicity.
When used in the recommended dosages, the ethanol content in our extracts is metabolized quickly, without concerns about accumulation or toxicity. 3
A Natural and Safe Solution
Endogenously Produced Ethanol
Low levels of ethanol are naturally produced in the human
intestinal tract and can be measured in the bloodstream.
Common in Everyday Foods
Ethanol is naturally present in many fermented foods, often in
higher amounts than what is found in a typical dose of our herbal
extracts
3,6:
- A half-cup of yogurt (4 oz) contains approximately 0.02 g ethanol
- A half-cup of apple juice (4 oz) contains approximately 0.28 g ethanol
- A half-cup of grape juice (4 oz) contains approximately 0.91 g ethanol
- A single burger bun contains approximately 1.2 g ethanol
By comparison, a standard 20-drop dose of our extracts contains only 0.18 g of ethanol — less than many commonly consumed foods.

Stability and Shelf Life
Long-Lasting Products for Your Practice
Alcohol extracts can remain shelf-stable up to 5 years, compared to 1–2 years for glycerin extracts and 48 hours for medicinal teas. This ensures consistent potency and efficacy, reducing the risk of degradation or loss of therapeutic value over time.

Superior Extraction for Full - Spectrum Benefits
Ethanol allows us to extract both water
-
soluble and fat
-
soluble compounds, ensuring a full
-
spectrum herbal product. While water
-
only extractions are limited to hydrophilic co
mpounds,
ethanol provides access to a broader range of active constituents. Ethanol also outperforms
glycerin in extracting a more comprehensive profile of beneficial components.
The result? A hydro
-
ethanol extract that delivers a robust spectrum of plant
-
based constituents to
meet diverse health needs.

Enhanced Bioavailability
Rapid Absorption
Ethanol’s pharmacokinetic properties allow it to be absorbed directly from the stomach (20%)
and the small intestine (80%), offering a highly efficient delivery
system for herbal compounds.¹
Facilitated Cellular Uptake
Ethanol’s lipophilic and hydrophilic properties alter cellular membrane permeability, enabling
beneficial compounds to enter cells more effectively.²
When used in the recommended dosages, the et
hanol content in our extracts is metabolized
quickly, without concerns about accumulation or toxicity.
When used in the recommended dosages, the ethanol content in our extracts is metabolized quickly, without concerns about accumulation or toxicity. 3

A Natural and
Safe Solution
Endogenously Produced Ethanol
Low levels of ethanol are naturally produced in the human
intestinal tract and can be measured in the bloodstream.
Common in Everyday Foods
Ethanol is naturally present in many fermented foods, often in
higher amounts than what is found in a typical dose of our herbal
extracts
3,6:
- A half-cup of yogurt (4 oz) contains approximately 0.02 g ethanol
- A half-cup of apple juice (4 oz) contains approximately 0.28 g ethanol
- A half-cup of grape juice (4 oz) contains approximately 0.91 g ethanol
- A single burger bun contains approximately 1.2 g ethanol
By comparison, a standard 20-drop dose of our extracts contains only 0.18 g of ethanol — less than many commonly consumed foods.

Stability and Shelf Life
Long-Lasting Products for Your Practice
Alcohol extracts can remain shelf-stable up to 5 years, compared to 1–2 years for glycerin extracts and 48 hours for medicinal teas. This ensures consistent potency and efficacy, reducing the risk of degradation or loss of therapeutic value over time.
Why NutraMedix Stands Out
Our use of ethanol reflects our commitment to delivering evidence-based, high-quality products that meet the needs of practitioners and patients alike. By combining science-backed extraction methods with a focus on efficacy and bioavailability, we ensure that our herbal extracts are both effective and practical for integrative medicine practices.
Thank you for trusting NutraMedix to support your patients’ health and wellness.
Why NutraMedix
Stands Out
Our use of ethanol reflects our commitment to delivering evidence-based, high-quality products that meet the needs of practitioners and patients alike. By combining science-backed extraction methods with a focus on efficacy and bioavailability, we ensure that our herbal extracts are both effective and practical for integrative medicine practices.
Thank you for trusting NutraMedix to support your patients’ health and wellness.
1. Zekan, P., Ljubičić, N., et al. (2023). Pharmacokinetic analysis of ethanol in a human study: New modification of mathematic model. Toxics, 11(9), 793.
2. Ingólfsson, H.I., & Andersen, O.S. (2011). Alcohol’s effects on lipid bilayer properties. Biophysical Journal, 101(4), 847–855.
3. Kelber, O., Steinhoff, B., et al. (2017). Ethanol in herbal medicinal products for children: Data from pediatric studies and pharmacovigilance programs. Ethanol in pflanzlichen Arzneimitteln für Kinder Daten aus pädiatrischen Studien und der Routine-Pharmakovigilanz. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 167(7-8), 183–188.
4. European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2013). Questions and Answers on Ethanol in the context of the revision of the guideline on ‘Excipients in the label and package leaflet of medicinal products for human use (CPMP/463/00). https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/questions-and-answers-ethanol-context-revision-guideline-
excipients-label-and-package-leaflet-medicinal-products-human-use_en.pdf
5. Jones, A.W., Mårdh, G., et al. (1983). Determination of endogenous ethanol in blood and breath by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 18(Suppl 1), 267–272.
6. Gorgus, E., Hittinger, M., et al. (2016). Estimates of ethanol exposure in children from food not labeled as alcohol-containing. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 40(7), 537–542.
1. Zekan, P., Ljubičić, N., et al. (2023). Pharmacokinetic analysis of ethanol in a human study: New modification of mathematic model. Toxics, 11(9), 793.
2. Ingólfsson, H.I., & Andersen, O.S. (2011). Alcohol’s effects on lipid bilayer properties. Biophysical Journal, 101(4), 847–855.
3. Kelber, O., Steinhoff, B., et al. (2017). Ethanol in herbal medicinal products for children: Data from pediatric studies and pharmacovigilance programs. Ethanol in pflanzlichen Arzneimitteln für Kinder Daten aus pädiatrischen Studien und der Routine-Pharmakovigilanz. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 167(7-8), 183–188.
4. European Medicines Agency (EMA). (2013). Questions and Answers on Ethanol in the context of the revision of the guideline on ‘Excipients in the label and package leaflet of medicinal products for human use (CPMP/463/00). https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/scientific-guideline/questions-and-answers-ethanol-context-revision-guideline-
excipients-label-and-package-leaflet-medicinal-products-human-use_en.pdf
5. Jones, A.W., Mårdh, G., et al. (1983). Determination of endogenous ethanol in blood and breath by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 18(Suppl 1), 267–272.
6. Gorgus, E., Hittinger, M., et al. (2016). Estimates of ethanol exposure in children from food not labeled as alcohol-containing. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 40(7), 537–542.