Product Quality Assurance

Herb Selection

Our quality control program begins with the herbs themselves. We hand select the finest wild picked or organically grown herbs whenever possible, paying close attention to species, region of cultivation, time of harvest, and the spirit in which plants are grown and collected.  We use only the most potent part of the plant. We do not use herbs that are endangered, sprayed or fumigated. <%ob end photoLeft %>

Laboratory Testing

Trained herbalists evaluate our herbs for quality on the basis of smell, taste and appearance, as has been done for thousands of years.  The amount of active components, strength, and efficacy are then verified by analysis. To screen for pesticides, heavy metals, sulfites, and bacterial contamination, samples are sent to independent labs, which use the latest technology. Capillary electrophoresis, high-pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, and thin-layer chromatography provide detailed compositional analysis of the molecular level.

Processing and Potency

Once the herbs have passed inspection, they are processed according to tradition to maximize potency and eliminate undesired effects. Raw herbs may be steamed, baked, alcohol-soaked or ginger processed. The selection of each herb is double-checked and quantities are weighed twice so that formulas are uniform from batch to batch. Herbs are granulated and cooked as a decoction to improve bioavailability.

Combining Components

We devote meticulous attention to each individual component of a formula and then, of course, to how components work together. Roots are cooked over low temperature overnight. Flowers are prepared by infusion. Alkaloid-containing herbs are soaked in alcohol, and aromatic extracts are added last to preserve their volatile components. A small amount of acacia gum and cellulose are used to bind the ingredients together, while magnesium aids the tableting process.

Tableting and Packaging

Once the herbs are compressed into tablets, they are coated to ease swallowing and preserve freshness. To make sure they can be absorbed, their disintegration is timed. During the final stage of manufacturing, they are packaged into bottles, inner and outer safety seals are applied, and each bottle is stamped with a lot number and manufacture date. A sample of each batch is sent to an outside lab to ensure the accuracy, purity and potency.

Fully Tested & Guaranteed

At Health Concerns, traditional and scientific assessment combined with time-honored methods of processing result in the most effective and reliable herbs available anywhere. Our testing criteria, known as SIDI (Standardized Information on Dietary Ingredients), is endorsed by American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), and the Natural Products Association, and our herbalists brings decades of training, experience, and care to the task of evaluation. We guarantee our products without reservation. We invite you to open a bottle of Health Concerns formulas to taste and smell the difference.