Like many other fresh herbs, rosemary is a powerful ally when it comes to supporting our health and wellbeing.  In fact, in addition to being an excellent condiment for a number of dishes, rosemary also possesses therapeutic properties that supplement producers can capitalise on.

Specifically, IPS produces microencapsulated rosemary essential oil, which is then used to obtain high-quality supplements and nutraceuticals.

The benefits obtained from using supplements made from rosemary essential oil derive mostly from the composition of rosemary itself.  For example, it is rich in terpenes and phenolic compounds, like carnosic acid, whose antispasmodic properties are known for treating renal colic. Its cholagogue and carminative properties are also noteworthy, with beneficial effects on lipid metabolism and, more importantly, on pancreatic lipase inhibition.

In order for these properties to have optimal effects on a host organism, the active substance must be evenly distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This is where the technology developed by IPS comes into play: microencapsulated rosemary essential oil is encased in a polymer membrane that is responsible for the active ingredient’s controlled release. It is this function that is fundamental for the substance’s protection from external agents and from otherwise unavoidable biological degradation. Finally, the membrane has a protective function against gastrointestinal mucus that could otherwise cause inflammation or damage if there is inadequate absorption of the substance.

Despite their reduced size (100-600 µm), microcapsules made from rosemary essential oil have the ability to contain a higher concentration of the active substance. This leads to the important advantage of being able to mix substances that are otherwise incompatible, creating a product that is markedly more versatile, being able to adapt itself to the requirements of every customer.