posted
My family member gave me their old Beyond Balance Formulas to try. They are opened. They are mostly herbs in a vegetable glycerin base. Some have been opened for 1 year.
Do you take herbal or homeopathic remedies that have been open for 6 months- 1 year or longer? It seems costly to have to throw them out, but risky to take if you have a suppressed immune system (if they are growing mold or bacteria).
Posts: 25 | From CA | Registered: May 2013
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I don't think any will grow mold, really, but the issue is if the therapeutic effect is still good and solid.
Some oils can go rancid from heat, though, that is important. You never want ANY old oil, of any kind.
CHECK THE DATE ON BOTTLE
See if there is an expiration date on the bottle. Contact the manufacturer's website by email or call if you have questions.
HIGH HEAT (like the SW is currently experiencing) can damage some supplements (for those without AC), if in a gel cap. Oils (including glycerine) in gel caps can get old, especially if they get too hot.
Homeopathic liquids are usually alcohol based and more stable.
Herbal tinctures, in an alcohol base, can last years. Those in glycerin do not last as long.
Herbs, dry, in capsule or tincture tend to last far longer than vitamins. Oils, though, don't last as long.
Vitamins can spoil in heat much more easily, and have a sorter shelf-life if a good brand without additives. You don't want additives, of course, so - like food - just be sure to keep on top of vitamins' expiration dates.
Never store any supplement near heat (sunlight, heater, stove, even fridge motor. Do not store on top of fridge or even near a microwave oven). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- This time of the year, some supplements may do best in the fridge. First, though, ask the manufacturer. Once in the fridge, they may not then be able to be left out as - when warming up again - condensation inside the bottle could cause trouble.
Some may not need the fridge, though some might. Those that are more food base are more likely to need the fridge in summer. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- When you buy supplements, it's good to know that you are buying as freshly made as possible for vitamins.
Most brands will not post when they were made. Some store in huge warehouses (not climate controlled), travel on hot trucks, etc.
One company that has very fresh produts and marks the date MADE on each bottle and has good storage each step of the way (as least until sent off in the mail) . . . is
Weather.com - check your 10-day forecast before ordering for any supplement delivery in the warm months.
Know the location of the warehouse they leave and know if they are to fly or drive, so to speak.
It may save in the long run to pay for 2-day or 3-day UPS (usually flown from hub to your nearest city) rather than free delivery for hundreds or thousands of miles on a truck in hot sun.
When possible, during a heat wave, wait until the weather cools down a bit before placing an order to be shipped.
Also try to "watch" your mail box on day delivery is planned, if you have a tracking number, this is far easier.
If UPS is to deliver a small package, and it's really hot, you could leave a cooler (or thick generic bag) at your door with a blue ice pack in it, if not too visible to anyone driving by, of course - and a note for UPS to please put pkg in with ice pack and set down by door (or behind flower pot). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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