Iranian Technologists Striving to Prepare Dry Plant Extracts to Produce Raw Materials of Medicine

Seyed Hashem Akhlaqi, a faculty member and managing director of a technological company stationed at the incubator center of the Islamic Azad University’s Sabzevar branch, elaborated on the processing and production of herbal extracts, natural essences and distilled water, saying, “The technologists use industrial distillation devices, including distillation pot, condenser and cooling tower to make products like rose water, herbal extracts, natural essential oils and distilled water.

Rose water, high-quality herbs, extracts dried under low temperature and vacuum conditions (by spray dryer and freeze dryer), natural essential oil of aromatic and herbal plants like rose, rosemary, mint, thyme, oregano, tarragon, fennel, cumin, and lavender are among the products of the company, he added.

Akhlaqi noted that his company also plans to take steps for preparation of dry plants’ extracts and different fractions of extracts (separation of similar compounds) through chromatographic methods (separation and purification) to produce raw materials needed for pharmaceutical companies.

Figures show that Iran has exported more than $660 million worth of herbal medicines in recent years.

As a vast country with different climates, Iran is a suitable place for planting and growing different types of herbs, a report by the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology says, adding that as statistics show currently, about 90% of medicinal herbs are grown inside the country.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) website, International Regulatory Cooperation for Herbal Medicines (IRCH) is a global network of regulatory authorities responsible for regulation of herbal medicines, established in 2006. Its mission is to protect and promote public health and safety through improved regulation for herbal medicines.

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