Let’s face it, herbs can more than often taste like the dirt it grew in. For this reason, the majority of people find themselves in a vitamin store looking for “natural supplements”. Regrettably, many of these supplements are not trustworthy or as effective as they should be. As the saying goes, “if you want something done, right, you have to do it yourself.” Let’s look at how to encapsulate our own powdered herbs.
For starters, you are going to need to turn your herbs into powder. A food processor, electric coffee mill, or a mortar and pestle are the best tools for this task. Keep in mind if you are planning to make any sort of herbal blend, a measuring scale will also be needed to ensure that you have measured out your various herbs evenly. Be effective in mixing your powdered herbs to prevent an uneven concentration of herbs in your capsules.
Here is your fair warning now, the next part of this process can be considered tedious and time-consuming! This is going to be one of those tasks where you’re going to want to be sitting down and watching a family night game show to pass the time. After making a selection between the three different sizes of capsules (“0,” “00,” and “000,” you will take your empty capsule and fill it by hand. You can easily separate the capsule into two pieces, fill both sides, moderately full then put them back together. This was the method I used until I got a capsule machine.
My first mistake with a capsule filling machine was that I did not pay attention to the sizes of my capsules in comparison to the machine I purchased. It was this very mistake that had me filling capsules by hand for the first month or so. There are a few different types of capsule filling machines:
1. Manual filing machine
2. Semi-automatic capsule filling machine
3. Automatic capsule machine
Manual:
Manual capsule fillers are used to fill capsules when the amount of ingredients needed for the capsule is the same as the amount that needs to be filled. This kind of filling machine can produce around 800 capsules in a single press.
Semi-Automatic:
The following is a description of the semi-automatic machine according to CapsCanada.com
“As its name suggests, it is a hybrid filling machine that mixes the manual process with the automatic. This way, there is less dependency on the operator, and it is designed in such a way that the equipment must comply with the hygiene requirements used in the industry. Its design and construction make it durable and low maintenance. With proven, non-corrosive elements, eliminates contamination and facilitates cleanup after use to make capsules acceptable for filling both powders and granular substances.”
Automatic Machine:
These types of machines are generally used in large scale production. Using these machines, any kind of powder or granule, can be used to fill a capsule, without the efforts from an operator.
No matter which mechanism you’re using, the process of working the machine is standard.
1. Step one is feeding the machine. In this step, you are to load the capsules into the machine be sure to align the body of the capsule at the bottom and the lid at the top.
2. Step two is called separation. The machine will separate the capsule into two pieces. Discard any capsules that do you not get separated property.
3. Step three is filling the capsules. Take note if you are filling the capsules with a liquid or a solid. Essentially, the mechanism will compressed the powder/filling into each individual capsule piece.
4. Step four is the completion. The body and the lid of the capsules are locked back into position until step five…
5. Which is the discharge step. The capsules are dispelled from the machine and are ready to be cleaned.
Filling capsules is most convenient when it comes to those herbs that taste simply awful. It’s also a good way to make your own vitamins that are targeted for your specific needs. This method is the most trustworthy when it comes to knowing what you’re actually ingesting.
Sources:
Picture above and other information cited from CapsCanada.com
Nicole Apelian, Ph.D. & Claude Davis, The Lost Book Of Herbal Remedies. Copyrighted by Global Brother SRL © 2019
About Me:
Hello, my name is Shannon. I joined FireKeepers International as a volunteer in 2023. In
2014, I began the Master Herbalist program at Trinity School of Natural Health and
completed the program in September of 2017. Since then, my main studies have been
Biblical truths, astronomy and the Hebrew language. I am a born and raised
“Michigander,” currently living in one of Northern Michigan’s beautiful national forests.
When I’m not keeping busy with the homestead, you can find me out in nature or
hibernating in my cabin.
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