Preparation method of edible traditional Chinese medicine eye drops combined with ancient distillation

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for preparing edible Chinese herbal eye drops using traditional distillation techniques, belonging to the field of Chinese herbal eye preparation technology. It addresses the problems of low safety, poor user experience, low component utilization, and insufficient adaptability to various scenarios in existing eye care preparations. The method uses medicinal and edible herbs such as *Senecio scandens* and *Eriocaulon buergerianum* as the core ingredients, with purified water as the only excipient. The process involves purification, processing, traditional static conditioning, distillation to obtain the dew, followed by refined treatment through low-temperature extraction, multi-stage ultrafiltration, and low-temperature deodorization. Finally, the product is aseptically filled to a fixed volume. This invention allows for adjustments to the formula and replacement of processes according to needs. It can also be formulated into freeze-dried powder or a special dosage form suitable for nebulizers. The resulting eye drops are colorless, with a pH of 6.5-7.0, meeting edible standards. The active ingredients are molecularly dissolved, allowing for eye drops, nebulization, external application, and oral administration. It is safe and non-irritating, with high component utilization, adaptable to multiple scenarios, green and additive-free, suitable for long-term eye care, and safe for the elderly and children.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of traditional Chinese medicine ophthalmic preparations, specifically to a method for preparing an edible traditional Chinese medicine eye spray using traditional distillation techniques. Background Technology

[0002] Existing eye care preparations are divided into chemical and traditional Chinese medicine types. Chemical preparations contain preservatives and artificial additives, which can easily irritate the ocular surface and disrupt the ocular microecology when used externally or nebulized. They are also not edible and pose a risk of accidental ingestion. Traditional Chinese medicine eye drops are mostly concentrated decoctions, which have color and odor, resulting in a poor user experience. Furthermore, the extraction process is crude, leading to low utilization of effective ingredients. The dosage form is also limited to drops, making it unsuitable for multiple scenarios such as nebulization and external application. At the same time, existing traditional Chinese medicine eye preparations have not met edible safety standards, resulting in insufficient safety and compatibility for cross-scenario use.

[0003] The core reason for the aforementioned problems is that existing formulations do not employ refined traditional Chinese medicine extraction technology to prepare the medicated liquid, the formulation and process do not take into account the sensory requirements of being odorless and colorless, and they are not designed according to edible-grade standards, lacking technical optimization for multi-scenario adaptation. In addition, existing related products are limited to specific scenarios of use, requiring the use of moxibustion and manual massage, lacking convenience and the ability to be used independently. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned deficiencies in existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a method for preparing edible Chinese herbal eye drops that combines traditional distillation techniques. By combining medicinal and edible ingredients in a formula, traditional distillation, and refined refining processes, an edible, colorless Chinese herbal eye drop suitable for various scenarios can be prepared, solving the problems of insufficient safety, poor user experience, low utilization rate of effective ingredients, and poor adaptability to various scenarios in existing eye care preparations.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides the following technical solution: This invention is a traditional Chinese medicine eye drop, prepared using refined traditional Chinese medicine extraction technology combined with ancient distillation methods. The eye drop is colorless, meets edible-grade safety standards, and can be used in multiple scenarios including instillation, eye atomization, and external eye application. It is entirely green and additive-free. The specific technical solution is elaborated in detail from four aspects: core formulation, extraction and preparation process, characteristics of the eye drop, and multiple usage principles.

[0006] The core edible-grade traditional Chinese medicine formula (by weight): The only excipient is purified water, with no added chemical preservatives, artificial colors, or sweeteners. All ingredients are medicinal and edible herbs, adhering to the traditional Chinese medicine principles of "clearing the liver and improving eyesight, nourishing yin and moistening dryness, and promoting body fluids and protecting the eyes." The formula is balanced in nature, without any pungent or irritating components, ensuring both eye-protecting efficacy and edible safety. The basic formula includes 5-7 parts of Senecio scandens, 6-8 parts of Eriocaulon buergerianum, 3-5 parts of Buddleja officinalis, 3-6 parts of Chrysanthemum indicum, 3-5 parts of Cassia tora, 2-4 parts of Morus alba, 1-3 parts of Equisetum hyemale, 2-4 parts of Chrysanthemum morifolium, and 1-2 parts of Mentha haplocalyx.

[0007] The refined Chinese medicine extraction process (the core of preparing medicinal dew) involves processing compound Chinese medicinal materials, placing them in earthenware containers, and leaving them outdoors in soil exposed to sunlight, moonlight, and starlight to absorb the essence of heaven and earth (covered with a mulch) for three days and three nights or seven days and seven nights. Then, the medicinal dew is extracted by distillation and is called star dew. Subsequently, the process involves low-temperature water extraction, multi-stage ultra-fine filtration, low-temperature vacuum deodorization, aseptic volume adjustment, and aseptic sealing and filling. The entire process is aseptic and achieves preservation without preservatives.

[0008] The core characteristics of the medicated lotion are: the finished product is a colorless, transparent, and clear liquid, without any odor, sediment, or impurities, with a pH value of 6.5-7.0, which is highly compatible with the physiological environment of the human eye and the internal environment of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract; it meets food-grade safety standards, can be consumed directly, and is non-irritating when used externally or atomized; the active ingredients are dissolved in a molecular state, are easily absorbed by the surface of the eye, and have strong stability, and will not deteriorate when stored at room temperature away from light.

[0009] Multiple Usage Principles and Operations: This medicated lotion is suitable for various scenarios due to its pure, non-irritating, and edible ingredients, and its mechanism of action is highly adaptable.

[0010] A: Instillation: The active ingredients in the liquid can be directly absorbed through the conjunctival sac, acting on the ocular surface and optic nerve to relieve dryness and eye fatigue. Use 1-2 drops at a time, 3-4 times a day.

[0011] B: Edible characteristics: After accidental ingestion, it is digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract without any toxic side effects. Moreover, the medicinal and food homologous ingredients can play a mild role in clearing the liver and nourishing yin, reducing the causes of eye discomfort from the root.

[0012] It is also suitable for eye atomization and external eye use, without the need for additional formula adjustments.

[0013] This invention also provides the following alternative solutions, none of which change the core technical solution:

[0014] Formula substitution: If you need to enhance the wind-dispelling and soothing effects, you can add 0.5-1 part of peppermint (low dose has no odor), while keeping the other ingredients and proportions unchanged; if you need to make it suitable for infants and young children, remove cassia seeds and increase the amount of wolfberry and ophiopogon japonicus by 1 part each to enhance the yin-nourishing and mild properties, while keeping the other proportions unchanged.

[0015] Process alternatives: The low-temperature water extraction process can be replaced by low-temperature alcohol extraction (10% edible ethanol), which has a higher extraction efficiency and the ethanol is removed by low-temperature vacuum in the subsequent process, leaving no residue and not affecting edibility; the deodorization process can be replaced by molecular distillation, which is more thorough and suitable for high-precision requirements.

[0016] Dosage form substitution: In addition to conventional liquid medicine, it can be made into freeze-dried medicine powder, which can be used after being mixed with water. It is convenient for long-term storage and transportation. The formula and core process remain unchanged, and it still retains its colorless and edible properties after being mixed.

[0017] Filling alternative: In addition to bottles and small vials, it can be made into a liquid storage box for nebulizers, which can be directly adapted to mainstream eye nebulizers, eliminating the need for manual liquid dispensing and improving the convenience of nebulization.

[0018] The core key points of this invention are as follows:

[0019] Edible-grade medicinal and food homology formula: It contains no pungent or irritating ingredients, uses only Chinese medicinal herbs that are both food and medicine, and has no chemical additives. It takes into account both eye protection effects and food safety, making it the core foundation for use in multiple scenarios.

[0020] Refined extraction and deodorization process: A combination of low-temperature water extraction, multi-stage ultrafiltration, and low-temperature vacuum deodorization, combined with traditional distillation techniques, achieves colorless and sediment-free medicinal extracts while preserving the activity of active ingredients.

[0021] Multi-scenario adaptable technical design: Prepared according to triple safety standards of eye physiology, skin contact and food, the drug droplet particle size, pH value and other indicators take into account the usage needs of dripping, atomization and external use.

[0022] Preservative-free aseptic design: Through aseptic preparation and aseptic sealing filling, preservative-free preservation is achieved, and food-grade aseptic standards are met, ensuring long-term safety.

[0023] One or more technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application have at least the following technical effects or advantages compared with the prior art:

[0024] Edible-grade safety with no risk: The formula consists of Chinese medicinal herbs that are both food and medicine, with no chemical additives, meeting food-grade safety standards. There are no side effects if accidentally ingested by dripping or nebulizing, and no skin irritation when used externally. It can be used safely by the elderly and children, truly achieving safety in all scenarios.

[0025] Colorless and with a superior user experience: Through refined extraction and low-temperature deodorization processes, the pigments and odors of traditional Chinese medicine are completely removed, solving the pain point of traditional Chinese medicine eye drops being "colored and smelly" and improving acceptance.

[0026] The extraction process utilizes traditional distillation methods, resulting in high component utilization: Traditional processing and distillation extraction leave all pesticide residues in the dregs, allowing the active ingredients to dissolve in a molecular state without any impurities or sediment. This makes the absorption efficiency on the ocular surface far higher than that of traditional decoctions, while also preserving the activity of the ingredients, resulting in superior eye protection.

[0027] Versatile and multi-purpose: It can be used for eye drops, eye misting, external eye application, and even ingestion, combining local eye care and mild internal conditioning. It is suitable for various scenarios such as home, eye care institutions, and office, and is easy to use.

[0028] Green and additive-free, suitable for long-term use: No preservatives, no artificial colors, no additives. Long-term use will not damage the ocular surface mucosa, disrupt the ocular microecology, or cause skin irritation. Suitable for daily long-term eye care.

[0029] Other advantages, objectives and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examination or study, or may be learned from the practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a timeline diagram of the entire process of preparing edible Chinese herbal eye drops using a method combining ancient distillation, according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 For the present invention Figure 1 A magnified view of part A;

[0032] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 1 A magnified view of part B;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a timeline diagram illustrating the diverse application scenarios of the edible Chinese herbal eye drops prepared using a traditional distillation method, as described in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "up," "down," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains; the terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention; the term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] The following describes specific embodiments and appendices. Figure 1-4The present invention will be further described in detail below. The following embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] Example 1: Preparation of Edible Traditional Chinese Medicine Eye Drops using Standard Processes Based on Basic Formula

[0039] S1 formulation ingredients: Weigh out 6 parts of Senecio scandens, 7 parts of Eriocaulon buergerianum, 4 parts of Buddleja officinalis, 4.5 parts of Chrysanthemum indicum, 4 parts of Cassia tora, 3 parts of mulberry leaf, 2 parts of Equisetum hyemale, 3 parts of white chrysanthemum, and 1.5 parts of peppermint. The only auxiliary ingredients are purified water, with no chemical preservatives, artificial colors, or sweeteners added.

[0040] Specifically, the formula is scientifically formulated with both medicinal and edible ingredients, has mild and non-irritating properties, and uses only purified water as an excipient, ensuring the safety of the eye drops for consumption from the source and meeting food-grade production standards.

[0041] S2 Pretreatment of medicinal materials: The symmetrically selected compound Chinese medicinal materials are cleaned and processed to remove impurities and non-medicinal parts.

[0042] Specifically, cleaning removes impurities to avoid precipitation and off-flavors during distillation, and standardized processing can stimulate the medicinal components of Chinese medicinal materials, thereby enhancing the eye care efficacy of the final eye drops.

[0043] S3 Ancient Method of Static Enhancement: The pre-treated Chinese medicinal materials are placed in earthenware containers, placed outdoors on soil with sunlight, moonlight, and starlight, covered with mulch, and left to stand for five days and five nights.

[0044] Specifically, the earthenware container has suitable air permeability, the soil can fully absorb natural energy when left to stand, the mulch film prevents external pollution, and the ancient empowerment process preserves the natural activity of Chinese medicinal materials to the greatest extent and improves the stability of effective ingredients.

[0045] S4 Ancient Distillation Method: Distilling Chinese medicinal materials after they have been left to stand to collect the initial dew.

[0046] Specifically, the traditional distillation process can separate pesticide residues and heavy metals from Chinese medicinal herbs, leaving them in the residue, and extracting only pure small-molecule active ingredients to ensure that the eye drops are safe and free of impurities.

[0047] S5 Refined Processing: The initial extract of Chinese herbal medicine is subjected to low-temperature water extraction, multi-stage ultrafiltration, and low-temperature vacuum deodorization to obtain refined medicinal extract.

[0048] Specifically, low-temperature water extraction fully preserves heat-sensitive active ingredients, multi-stage ultrafiltration removes tiny suspended particles to ensure clarity, and low-temperature vacuum deodorization removes the odor of traditional Chinese medicine, thus improving the user experience.

[0049] S6 Aseptic Volume Filling: The refined medicinal liquid is aseptically filled with purified water, and after aseptic preparation throughout the process, it is aseptically sealed and bottled to produce edible Chinese medicine eye drops.

[0050] Specifically, aseptic volume control ensures uniform product concentration, and aseptic operation combined with sealed filling enables long-term preservation without preservatives and prevents deterioration when stored at room temperature away from light.

[0051] The eye drops prepared in this embodiment are colorless, transparent, and clear liquids, odorless, free of sediment and impurities, with a pH of 6.7. They are compatible with the internal environment of the human eyes and gastrointestinal tract, can be consumed directly, and the active ingredients are in molecular form and easily absorbed. Example 2: Edible Chinese herbal eye drops with enhanced wind-dispelling and soothing effects

[0052] The difference from Example 1 is that in the preparation of the S1 formulation, 0.8 parts by weight of mint is added, while the other raw materials and proportions remain unchanged, and the remaining steps are completely the same.

[0053] Specifically, adding a low dose of menthol enhances the soothing and cooling effect without altering its colorless properties, improving the cool and comfortable feeling in the eyes and making it suitable for people with eye fatigue. Example 3: Edible Chinese Herbal Eye Drops for Infants and Young Children

[0054] The difference from Example 1 is that in the preparation of the S1 formula, cassia seeds are removed, and wolfberry and ophiopogon japonicus are each increased by 1 part by weight. The other raw materials and proportions remain unchanged, and the remaining steps are completely the same.

[0055] Specifically, removing cassia seeds reduces their medicinal properties, while adding goji berries and ophiopogon japonicus enhances their yin-nourishing and mild effects, making the formula gentler and less irritating, perfectly suited for the sensitive eyes and constitution of infants and young children, and safer.

[0056] Example 4: Preparation of Edible Traditional Chinese Medicine Eye Drops using a Low-Temperature Alcohol Extraction Substitute Process

[0057] The difference from Example 1 is that in S5, the low-temperature water extraction is replaced by low-temperature alcohol extraction with 10% food-grade ethanol. After extraction, the ethanol is removed under low-temperature vacuum, leaving no residue. The other steps remain unchanged.

[0058] Specifically, low-temperature alcohol extraction improves the extraction rate of active ingredients and results in higher extraction efficiency; the edible ethanol meets food-grade standards, leaves no residue after vacuum removal, and does not affect edible safety or product taste.

[0059] Example 5: Preparation of Edible Traditional Chinese Medicine Eye Drops using Molecular Distillation Deodorization Process

[0060] The difference from Example 1 is that in S5, the low-temperature vacuum deodorization is replaced by molecular distillation deodorization treatment, while the other steps remain unchanged.

[0061] Specifically, molecular distillation has higher deodorization precision, which can completely remove trace amounts of Chinese medicine odor, further improving the taste and purity of the product and meeting the requirements of high-precision use. Example 6: Freeze-dried medicinal powder formulation, edible Chinese medicine eye drops

[0062] The difference from Example 1 is that the liquid eye drops obtained in S6 are freeze-dried to make freeze-dried eye drops powder, which is then mixed with water before use. The remaining steps remain unchanged.

[0063] Specifically, freeze-drying preserves the activity of all active ingredients, and freeze-dried formulations are more stable, making them easier to store for long periods and transport over long distances. After reconstitution, they regain their original quality and efficacy. Example 7: Edible Chinese Medicine Eye Drops for Nebulizers

[0064] The difference from Example 1 is that in S6, aseptic filling is carried out using a special liquid storage box for the nebulizer, while the other steps remain unchanged.

[0065] Specifically, the dedicated liquid storage box is directly compatible with mainstream eye nebulizers, eliminating the need for manual liquid dispensing, avoiding secondary contamination, and improving the convenience and hygiene of nebulization.

[0066] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method for preparing an edible Chinese herbal eye spray using traditional distillation techniques, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1 formulation ingredients: Weigh out the medicinal and edible herbs according to the weight parts. The herbs include 5-7 parts of Senecio scandens, 6-8 parts of Eriocaulon buergerianum, 3-5 parts of Buddleja officinalis, 3-6 parts of Chrysanthemum indicum, 3-5 parts of Cassia tora, 2-4 parts of Morus alba, 1-3 parts of Equisetum hyemale, 2-4 parts of Chrysanthemum morifolium, and 1-2 parts of Mentha haplocalyx. The only excipient is purified water. No chemical preservatives, artificial colors, or sweeteners are added. S2 Pretreatment of medicinal materials: Cleaning and processing of the compound Chinese medicinal materials weighed in step S1; S3 Ancient Method of Static Energy Enhancement: The pre-treated compound Chinese medicinal materials are placed in earthenware containers and placed on the soil surface outdoors where they are exposed to sunlight, moonlight, and starlight. The containers are covered with mulch and left to stand for three days and three nights or seven days and seven nights. S4 Ancient Distillation Method: Distilling compound Chinese medicinal materials after they have been left to stand, and collecting the initial dew, also known as star dew; S5 Refined Processing: The initial extract of Chinese herbal medicine is subjected to low-temperature water extraction, multi-stage ultrafiltration, and low-temperature vacuum deodorization to obtain refined medicinal extract; S6 Aseptic Volume Filling: The refined medicinal liquid is aseptically filled with purified water, and after aseptic preparation throughout the process, it is aseptically sealed and filled to produce edible Chinese medicine eye drops.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the edible traditional Chinese medicine eye drops prepared by the ancient distillation method is characterized in that, In step S1, if you need to enhance the wind-dispelling and soothing effects, add 0.5-1 part by weight of peppermint, while keeping the other ingredients and proportions unchanged; if you need to make it suitable for infants and young children, remove cassia seeds and increase the weight of goji berries and ophiopogon japonicus by 1 part each, while keeping the other ingredients and proportions unchanged.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the edible traditional Chinese medicine eye drops prepared by the combination of ancient distillation is characterized in that, In step S5, the low-temperature water extraction step is replaced by low-temperature alcohol extraction, using 10% food-grade ethanol for extraction. After extraction, the ethanol is removed under low-temperature vacuum, leaving no ethanol residue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the edible traditional Chinese medicine eye drops prepared by the ancient distillation method is characterized by, In step S5, the low-temperature vacuum deodorization step is replaced by molecular distillation deodorization treatment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the edible traditional Chinese medicine eye drops prepared by the ancient distillation method is characterized by, The edible Chinese medicine eye drops obtained in step S6 are freeze-dried into freeze-dried medicine powder, which is then mixed with water for use.

6. The method for preparing edible Chinese herbal eye drops using traditional distillation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, In step S6, aseptic filling is performed using bottles, small vials, or a dedicated storage box for nebulizers.

7. The method for preparing edible Chinese herbal eye drops using traditional distillation as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The resulting edible Chinese herbal eye drops are colorless, transparent, and clear liquids, odorless, free of sediment and impurities, with a pH value of 6.5-7.

0. They are highly compatible with the physiological environment of the human eye and the internal environment of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, meeting food-grade safety standards. The active ingredients are dissolved in a molecular state and do not deteriorate when stored at room temperature away from light.

8. The application of an edible traditional Chinese medicine eye drop prepared according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The edible Chinese herbal eye drops are used in combination for eye drops, eye atomization, and external eye application, and can also be consumed directly.

9. Use according to claim 8, characterized in that, When used as eye drops, take 1-2 drops at a time, 3-4 times a day. The active ingredients in the liquid are absorbed through the conjunctival sac and act on the ocular surface and optic nerve to relieve dry eyes and eye fatigue. If ingested, it is digested and absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract without any toxic side effects. The ingredients, which are also food-grade, play a role in regulating the body by clearing the liver and nourishing yin.

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