The How and Why of Organic Extracts
If you follow Nashville Wraps on Twitter, you’ve seen our Tweets about Organic Extracts. You may have been wondering why a packaging company was selling extracts. Recently I spoke with Debbie Carr from Pente 5 (Greek for five) about the wonderful extracts she and her four sisters make and sell under the name Natia Botani. Here are some of the questions I had for her. Debbie gave me the recipe for her Lavender Chocolate pie too! Trust me, it’s yummy.
What exactly is an extract? Vanilla is an extract. An extract is the end result of soaking fresh or dried herbs in a menstruum. The menstruum can be water or alcohol. The liquid draws the oils and nutrients from the plant. Pente 5 prefers to use 80 proof grain alcohol (40% alcohol, 60% water) because it takes both liquids to draw different benefits from an herb. After the solution has set for a period of time – our extracts soak for at least two weeks – the liquid is separated from the plant material. The liquid portion is called an extract. An extract has a long shelf life when stored in a cool, dark area.
What motivated you and your sisters to start this business and what qualifies you as experts? Pente 5 became a reality because we 5 sisters wanted healthier products for our own use. We started making Natia Botani extracts to use in our skin care products. We recognized the potential and economical benefit of manufacturing a wider range of extracts. One of the sisters is a nurse and has personally used herbs for at least 20 years and has researched and studied the benefits of using herbal products. Herbs have been used for centuries by all cultures and information can be found on the traditional uses of different herbs. We have educated ourselves by research and by testing different herbs. We do not proclaim to be experts; our products are available to individuals who choose to use them. We recommend that everyone should educate themselves on herbal products and consult a physician of their choice before using an unfamiliar herb.
Why are your extracts better than the ones I find in my local health food store? Natia Botani extracts are prepared in small batches. The soaking process is monitored in a temperature controlled environment and each extract is micro strained. Some sediment may remain, but this is normal. That is why it is important to shake an extract before dispensing. To ensure that our process was the best we could do, we decided to apply for the USDA Organic Certification. To meet or exceed the USDA requirements meant that we truly care about producing an excellent product. We use Certified Organic grain alcohol that is made from non GMO Certified Organic white corn. The corn is raised in the United States and the alcohol is distilled in Kentucky. We purchase our dried herbs from a highly respected US company. Certified Organic dried herbs or Wild Harvested herbs that are ethically grown and harvested are the bases of our extracts. Our intention is to always preserve the organic quality of all our products.
What’s so important about organic anyway? Our society is becoming more health conscious. We are more aware of the potential harm chemicals and toxins can have on our health. Certified Organic products have to meet strict USDA requirements to use the certified organic emblem. Farmers and food producers must have their soil tested to ensure it has not been exposed to chemicals for at least three years. Organic plants and food contain more nutrients because of the farming practices that must be adhered to. Seeds cannot be genetically modified and only certain fertilizers can be used on crops. Organic is reverting back to the way nature intended for things to be.
Tell me how you think taking health extracts might help me? The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has defined an extract as a dietary or herbal supplement. Extracts are used for their nutritional and flavoring benefits. Extracts quickly absorb into your system because they are liquid. Dietary supplements in capsule form must first be digested and usually come in one size, whereas liquid extracts can be measured into different size portions.
Taking extracts for health reasons is an individual’s choice. That is why it is important to educate yourself about herbal products. We are not licensed practitioners and cannot answer health related questions.
What about cooking with extracts? Who doesn’t use vanilla extract? Fresh herbs and spices compliment the natural flavors of foods. Many cooks prefer using liquid extracts because they blend smoothly and can be stored for years.
Are these products produced locally? Pente 5 is a home based business located in White House, Tennessee. We manufacture and sell the Natia Botani line of Certified Organic Herbal Extracts.
Why is a packaging company selling food and health extracts? Nashville Wraps is a marketing company with a diverse customer base. The Natia Botani extract product line is a nice addition for their gourmet, restaurant, caterering, health & beauty, and pet customers. Wraps wants to help their customer succeed and that includes offering unique products for resale. See all of these great Organic Herbal Extracts.
Give our customers some suggestions for marketing these extracts. Here are a few ways current customers are using extracts plus some other suggestions.
- An organic fudge company uses the lavender & ginger extracts for exotic new flavors.
- A health food store expands to be the first in their area to offer Certified Organic Extracts.
- Gift basket business adds extracts to organic food baskets.
- Pet grooming company sells the Pet Coat Refresher to customers to use on their pets between visits. Plus they offer pet gift baskets utilizing natural products.
- A manufacturer of organic skin care products uses extracts for scents plus natural plant benefits.
- Organic and natural food restaurants can use extracts in their kitchen.
- Spas can mix extracts into massage oils for relaxing scents.
Leave us a comment if you have any questions of your own. I’ll see if one of the Pente 5 girls can answer it for you. Below you will find Debbie’s recipe. Sorry about the picture, I couldn’t wait. : -)
Debbie’s Lavender/Chocolate Pie
Mix together:
1 cup organic sugar
6 tablespoons cocoa
3 tablespoons corn starch
1/4 teaspoon salt
Add 2 cups (scalded) organic milk – set aside 1/4 cup to add 3 beaten organic egg yolks.
Cook until thickened. Add 1/4 cup egg yolk mixture and cook until bubbly.
Add 4 tablespoons butter and Lavender Flower Extract (about 1/4 teaspoon or to taste)
Pour into baked pie shell.
Kathy Green
Packaging Consultant
Nashville Wraps
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I have used several of these products. Black Walnut extract is my personal favorite! I have used it on my dogs for numerous reasons. It helped to heal a sore on my dog’s ear, which had been there for months. It helped to heal a bug bite on my dog’s leg, which had swelled up to the size of a moth ball. These are just a few examples!
In addition to using it on my pets, I also use it on myself. I have sinus problems, and I drink a small amount each morning. It helps to clear out my nose!
I use chamomile extract in my peanut butter cookie recipes. I would love to hear any other recipes that include herbal extracts. Anyone have some to share?
I’d love that peanut butter cookie recipe. Can you add it here as a comment?
I have seen these products work exceptionally well on me and people who I know. The problem is that we cannot make specific health claims because of the FDA labeling laws and because we do not want to cross over into the “medicine” catagory. That said, the labeling is by far minimal for what these products actually do.
PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES with Chamomile
1/4 cup coconut oil (unprocessed is best) or shortening
1/4 cup real butter (softened)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup organic or white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoon chamomile extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1-1/4 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Add: coconut oil, butter, peanut butter, white and brown sugar
beat in mixer until sugar is not gritty. Add egg, chamomile
and vanilla extracts. Measure dry ingredients unsifted but
blend lightly,add to moist ingredients. Mixer with a dough
hook is nice, (may add more flour for more cake like cookies.)
Chill dough, roll into ball and mash with a fork. Bake at 375
degrees for 10 minutes. I like to under cook mine a little
for a chewy cookie. Makes 4 dozen
Lauren, the Pet Minor First Aid has black walnut leaf in it. Would it be the one you would use for your pets?
Thanks for the cookie recipe! I might try it this weekend.
Robbie, you are correct on the labeling. Our website does list “traditional uses” of the herbal ingredients. Education and research are key factors for anyone that wants to use herbal extracts.
Hi Kay,
Yes that is correct! The pet minor first aid is what I use for my pets! It really helps for most anything that happens to your pets. From sore’s to broken toe nails! My dog Big Boi just recently broke his toe nail, and had to have most of it cut off; I used this on it, and it never got infected! (Even though he licked it to no end!)