When we think about a long and active life, we do not picture a number in a passport. We think about the ability to move freely, maintain mental clarity, preserve our energy and continue living at our usual pace. This is why interest in plants that support healthy circulation has remained strong for many years.
But it is important to avoid extremes. A plant is not a synthetic tablet with a predefined active ingredient. It is a living organism with a complex and unique composition. That is why it matters not only which plant is listed on the label, but also which part of the plant was used, how it was processed and how high the quality of the final extract is.
Horse Chestnut: Focus on the Seeds
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is familiar to most people as a beautiful tree found in parks and cities. In phytotherapy, however, its seeds are of particular interest.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has dedicated a separate herbal monograph to horse chestnut seeds. It specifically considers prepared extracts of Aesculus hippocastanum seeds used in relation to venous circulation.
EMA monograph on horse chestnut seed
This illustrates an important principle: whenever we read about the properties of a plant, we should always ask which part of the plant was studied and in what form it was used.
Ginkgo Biloba: The Leaves Matter Most
Ginkgo biloba is one of the best-known and most extensively studied plants in modern phytotherapy. Its leaves are primarily used to produce plant extracts.
In its official monograph, the EMA considers ginkgo leaf — Ginkgo biloba L., folium — as herbal material used, among other areas, in relation to circulation. Once again, the focus is not simply on the plant itself, but on specific preparations and standardised extracts.
EMA monograph on Ginkgo biloba
This is a good example of why processing technology matters so much. The same plant species can produce extracts with very different compositions depending on the plant part used, the quality of the raw material and the method of processing.
Grape Seeds: The Power of Polyphenols
Grape seeds are valued primarily for their content of polyphenolic compounds, including proanthocyanidins.
According to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — NCCIH, grape seed extract has been studied in research related to blood pressure, lipid levels and other cardiovascular indicators.
At the same time, NCCIH notes that extracts, dosages and study designs vary considerably. This is why a scientific approach is especially important: promising findings should not be turned into exaggerated claims.
NCCIH information on grape seed extract
We believe this is the most reasonable way to look at plants: not as a “miracle remedy,” but as complex natural sources of compounds whose properties are gradually being explored by modern science.
From the Plant to a Quality Extract
When reading scientific monographs, one conclusion quickly becomes clear: simply naming a plant in the ingredient list is only part of the story.
It is equally important to know where the raw material was grown, which part of the plant was used, how it was harvested and processed, whether the necessary compounds were preserved and how closely the manufacturer controls the entire process.
This is why we rely on the experience of Biolit, a company that has been working with plant-based and organo-mineral raw materials since 1991.
According to the company, Biolit was founded in Tomsk by researchers from the Laboratory of Biogeochemistry at the Institute of Petroleum Chemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Its production facilities are located in the Tomsk Region and the Altai Region.
Supporting health with Biolit products is a calm, long-term approach: understanding the ingredients, trusting the origin of the raw materials and the manufacturer, and treating your health with care every day.
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