Pflanzenauszügen

Pflanzenauszüge are preparations in which the chemical constituents of a plant are dissolved and concentrated by extraction with a solvent. They are a category of plant extracts and are distinguished from essential oils, resins, or dry extracts. The term emphasizes that active constituents have been leached from plant material and retained in the solvent or in a subsequent concentrated product.

Production methods typically start with dried or fresh plant material. Common procedures include maceration (steeping in solvent at room temperature), infusion or decoction (heating in water), and percolation (solvent flowing through the material). Alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solvents (ethanol–water) are widely used to produce tinctures; glycerin or oil-based solvents yield glycerites or oil extracts. Modern techniques such as Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, and supercritical CO2 extraction can increase yield, selectivity, or preserve sensitive constituents. After extraction, solvents may be removed to obtain a concentrated liquid or solid product. Standardization often aims to control marker constituents to ensure batch-to-batch consistency.

Applications encompass phytotherapy, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and flavor or fragrance formulations. Pflanzenauszüge vary in concentration and composition depending on plant species, the specific plant part used, and the extraction method employed.

Quality and safety considerations include identity, potency, purity, and the absence or control of contaminants such as pesticides or heavy metals. Labeling typically lists the plant species and part used, the solvent, and the resulting concentration or strength. Regulatory status of Pflanzenauszüge varies by country, with some extracts treated as medicines and others as dietary supplements or cosmetic ingredients.