Epimedium Extract Powder

Dried leaves of Epimedium brevicornum, the barrenwort of Chinese herbal trade, are the only plant part in this epimedium extract. Water extraction concentrates the soluble leaf fraction, and the liquor is dried to a light brown powder at a 10:1 ratio. Stems, roots and flowers are left out.

The 10:1 ratio carries no icariin percentage. The powder is light brown, ground to 80 mesh and water dispersible. An icariin-graded epimedium extract and the single-compound references are separate products, and other Epimedium species are different raw materials.

Epimedium brevicornum Leaf Identity & Plant Part

The botanical entity is Epimedium brevicornum, a perennial of the barberry family, Berberidaceae, also spelled E. brevicornu Maxim. in current botanical lists. The part used is the dried leaf, which is compound with a few thin, toothed leaflets. Stems, rhizomes and flowers are not added to this epimedium leaf extract.

Several Epimedium species are traded under the same name, and each differs in leaf form and flavonoid pattern, so a specification should carry the full botanical name. The leaves contain prenylated flavonol glycosides, with icariin and related glycosides as the best-known members, and water extraction carries mostly the more polar ones into the powder.

Epimedium Extract vs Powder & Standardized Grades

FormWhat It IsChoose It When
10:1 Epimedium Leaf ExtractWater-extracted, concentrated and dried E. brevicornum leafA dispersible leaf extract without a marker is wanted
Epimedium Extract 5–50% IcariinExtract with a defined icariin rangeThe specification names an icariin figure
Anhydroicaritin 98%Single purified flavonolA pure compound is required, not a plant extract
Baohuoside I 98%Single purified flavonol glycosideA pure compound is required, not a plant extract

Ten parts of epimedium leaf go into each part of this powder, which is the sense of 10:1 on the label. It gives no icariin figure, so a buyer who has to declare icariin needs the graded extract rather than the ratio extract.

The ratio extract suits blends that want epimedium leaf identity in a dispersible form. The two pure compounds are chemical references and not leaf extracts, and the graded extract serves labels that state a marker. The three products answer different specifications.

Typical Specifications

Specification ItemProduct Information
Latin NameEpimedium brevicornum
Plant PartLeaf & Herb
ProcessingWater Extraction
Common NameBarrenwort, Epimedium
Ingredient TypeRatio Extract
Extract Ratio10:1
AppearanceLight Brown powder
Solubility / DispersibilityWater Dispersible
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)≤5.0%
Total Ash≤5.0%
Particle Size80 mesh
Heavy MetalsLead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
MicrobiologyTPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Application Areas

Herbal Capsule Fills

Capsule fills combine epimedium extract with other leaf and root extracts in a multi-herb blend. The light brown powder is fine and slightly hygroscopic, so humidity is controlled and a flow aid is considered. Fill weight is verified on a trial run before the capsule size is chosen.

Tablet Cores

Tablet cores take the extract with binders and a film coat. Flavonol glycosides can darken with moisture and heat, so tablets are dried before coating and the coat acts as a barrier. Hardness is checked after storage because the soluble solids soften.

Tea-Style Instant Sticks

Instant sticks use epimedium extract as a dissolvable alternative to steeped leaf. The cup is light amber with a mild herbal, slightly bitter taste, and sweetener or lemon flavor makes it more acceptable. Hot water brings out the flavor more fully than cold.

Herbal Chew Premixes

The extract goes into chew premixes after cooking, when the base has cooled. The brown tint suits caramel, honey or spice flavors, while the leaf’s bitterness limits the dose in pale, mild bases. Trials in the real base show the limit quickly.

Formulation Notes

The powder is light brown with a faint, hay-like herbal aroma and a bitter, slightly astringent taste. In water it disperses to a pale amber, slightly hazy liquid. Leaf flavonols react with iron, so stainless equipment is preferred, and long hot holds deepen the color.

Premix the powder into part of the dry base before the main blend to prevent lumps and uneven color. Glycoside-rich solids draw water slowly but steadily, and an open pack gradually hardens. A used drum is closed with the liner pressed flat and kept in its carton, since daylight slowly browns the leaf flavonols.

A color and taste trial at the planned dose shows whether the base can carry the leaf extract without a masking flavor. Tea-style trials are worth running with epimedium leaf extract in hot and cold water, because the leaf flavonols give a clearer, more golden infusion hot and a cloudier, paler one when the powder is stirred into cold liquid.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply ItemGeneral Information
SampleAvailable upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead TimeTypically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead TimeTypically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
PackagingSuitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
StorageStore in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
DocumentationCOA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.

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