The Mathematics of Saturation: Debunking the "20:1" Extract Myth

by Jason J. Duke - Owner/Artisan

Fresh Content: December 2, 2025 00:14

What is an Extraction Ratio?

An Extraction Ratio is the mathematical expression of potency, representing the Weight of the raw botanical material relative to the Volume of the menstruum solvent (Weight-to-Volume or W:V). It defines the saturation density of the final extract, with 2:1 typically representing the physical limit of liquid solvency.

Diagram comparing a True 1:1 Fluid Extract against the deceptive '75:1' Liquid Claim which is just dissolved powder
Figure 4: The "20:1" Lie. (Click to Enlarge) Left: A True Extract is packed with herb. Right: A "High Ratio" liquid is just a tiny pinch of powder dissolved in water.

The Potency Audit: Ratios Defined

Ratio (W:V) Classification Standard Usage
1:1 Fluid Extract Maximum Saturation. Used for Tonics & Adaptogens. Requires hydraulic pressing.
1:2 to 1:5 Tincture Standard Extraction. Used for most dried herbs, roots, and leaves.
1:10 Low Potency / Homeopathic Used for fresh fluffy herbs or toxic botanicals (e.g., Poke Root) requiring small doses.
"20:1" (Liquid) Dissolved Powder Marketing Myth. Reconstituted spray-dried powder, not a true liquid extract.

 

1. The Law of Saturation: 1:1 is the Limit

Liquid has a finite capacity to hold dissolved solids. This is the Law of Saturation. Imagine adding salt to water; eventually, the salt stops dissolving and piles up at the bottom. The water is "full."

In advanced herbal engineering, the theoretical limit for a stable liquid extract is generally considered to be a 2:1 Ratio (2 grams of herb per 1 milliliter of liquid). This creates a viscous, nutrient-dense "Fluid Extract." To achieve this, the solvent must be fully saturated with the plant's essence. Any claim of a ratio "tighter" than this like 4:1 or 8:1 is using deceptive marketing by using non-standard ratios, like 8 pounds per 1 gallon.

2. Ratios Explained: Pounds, Quarts, and Grams

To navigate potency, you must speak the language of Weight-to-Volume (W:V).

The Imperial Standard (1:2):
A common high-potency ratio is 1 Pound per 1 Quart.
The Math: 1 Pound = 16 dry ounces. 1 Quart = 32 fluid ounces.
The Ratio: 16:32 simplifies to 1:2. This means for every 1 part of herb, there are 2 parts of liquid.

The Metric Standard (1:4):
Commonly used for general tinctures.
The Math: 250 grams of herb into 1000 milliliters (1 Liter) of menstruum.
The Ratio: 250:1000 simplifies to 1:4.

3. The Density Factor: Roots vs. Leaves

Not all herbs occupy the same space. This is the physics of Bulk Density.

  • Dense Materials (Roots/Barks/Berries): These are heavy and compact. You can fit a lot of Ashwagandha root into a jar. Because of this density, we can achieve very tight ratios like 1:1 or 1:2. The liquid covers the herb easily.
  • Light Materials (Leaves/Flowers/Tops): These are fluffy and voluminous. Think of a bag of Passionflower or Red Clover. It takes up massive space but weighs very little. If you try to force a 1:1 ratio, the herb will soak up all the liquid like a sponge, leaving no extract. For these materials, a ratio of 1:4 or 1:5 is necessary to ensure the material is submerged and mobile.

4. The "20:1" Marketing Myth (Dissolved Powder)

You will often see products online claiming to be a "20:1 Liquid Extract" or even "50:1." If 1:1 is the physical limit of saturation, how is this possible? It isn't.

These companies are confusing—or intentionally conflating—Liquid Extraction with Powder Reconstitution.

  • The Trick: They take a Powdered Extract (where 20kg of herb was boiled and spray-dried into 1kg of powder). This powder is indeed a "20:1 concentrate."
  • The Dissolve: They then take that powder and dissolve it into water/glycerin. They label the liquid "20:1" because the source powder was 20:1.

This is NOT a liquid extraction. It is a "Dissolved Tincture." It lacks the volatile oils, the "Spirit," and the full biological matrix of the plant. It is essentially re-hydrated dust. When you see "1:1" or "1:2" on a Tonic Tincture, it means we physically extracted the raw plant material directly into the menstruum, preserving the Bio-Kinetic integrity that spray-drying destroys.

Phase 1: The Theoretical Framework (Physics)

You have calculated the Mathematics of Saturation. Now, proceed to the Physiology of Absorption: