Tianjiang Herbs
The science and traditions that are infused in our granules
About Tianjiang Pharmaceutical
Tianjiang Pharmaceutical is a global leader in producing granule extracts and they were the first Chinese company to produce granules and have remained a leader in the field in both quality and safety.
Tianjiang supplies over 1000 large Chinese hospitals and a full 25% of their staff is dedicated to research. Tianjiang’s granules have been used in dozens of clinical trials in China and Tianjiang is a key contributor to China’s currently developing national standards on granule extracts.
Their highly acclaimed research division has conducted groundbreaking research in the medicinal characteristics of Chinese herbs and has developed important new processes for producing granule extracts. Tianjiang has received more awards and government grants than any other granule producer.
In addition to receiving tremendous support from China’s State Administration of TCM and Ministry of Health, Tianjiang was entrusted by the Chinese government to produce the entire state supply of herbal medicine during the SARS epidemic. Tianjiang holds patents on numerous aspects of extraction technology, and its products are produced under pharmaceutical GMP standards.
Raw Herb farming and selection
Over 480 herbal materials directly farmed in designated Dao Di production regions that span 22 provinces
A majority of the herbs come from GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) certified farms or are ethically wild crafted and there are 65 GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) farms that cultivate 126 herbs exclusively for Tianjiang granules.
Botanical seed research and comparative data on cultivation regions and conditions guide selection of raw materials and builds close relationships with herb growers so that Tianjiang has a very high level of farm direct sourcing.
Selection of raw herb material is based on research and application of seed selection and cultivation conditions to ensure the potency of the raw material and final product.
All raw material are inspected for quality control through the seeding, growing, harvesting, restoring and production phases.
Traditional Water Extraction
To optimise the extraction process, research is used to determine the ideal decoction time, temperature, water-to-herb ratio, Pao Zhi method, and maximum concentration ratio of each individual herb.
Extracted with only purified water to replicate a traditional decoction. Evaporated completely at a low temperature to allow for maximum concentration without damage to delicate constituents.
Complete capture and re-introduction of volatile oils to maximise flavour and efficacy.
The volatile oils are not just sprayed onto the surface of the granules but are incorporated into the granules and so the true aroma of the plant is not released until the granules are dissolved in hot water.
Quality and Safety
Correct species identification is ensured through TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography) combined with microscopic and morphological examination.
Potency of raw material is established via Multi-compound fingerprint analysis and constituent testing using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography).
Safety of starting material is examined for heavy metal contamination, pesticide contamination, yeasts, molds or other microbial contaminates.
Pesticide contamination is further tested via overseas 3rd party laboratories in the USA and Germany using GS-MS (Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry).
Traditional Pao Zhi
Many herbs come in a variety of processed (Pao Zhi) options and each herb is processed as according to its traditional methods.
Extensive research is used to determine ideal adjuvants, processing time and temperature when determining processing methods for herbs.
After the processing and extraction phases the decoction is tested and compared to traditional decoctions to assess the potency of the finished product.
Granulation and final product
Tianjiang’s patented extraction and granulation methods utilise a new generation of technology, producing granules that dissolve better and come out like a decoction.
After decoction of the herbs, low pressure evaporation is used to concentrate the mixture without excessive heat and the remaining thick liquid extract has the volatile oils reintroduced back into the mixture.
Computer-controlled new generation spray drying chambers ensure the extract is powdered without exposure to heat and preserving the full flavour of the herbs.
Each batch goes through a final round of analysis and testing for potency to ensure there is a high level of full-spectrum active constituents and solubility
heavy metal contamination and pesticide contamination are assessed not only by Tianjiang but also by 2 independent laboratories in the USA and Germany.
