own laboratory). We perform careful micro-
bial testing of every batch. We utilize
advanced analytical tools, including FT-IR
(Fourier Transform Infrared pectrophotome-
try) and HPTLC (High-Performance Thin
Layer Chromatography). These are powerful
and officially recognized tools for qualitative
testing of botanicals for identity and purity.
We also have UV-VIS (Ultraviolet
Spectrophotometry) for quantitative testing
when appropriate.
•We use an outside laboratory to do addi-
tional testing, as well as to confirm our in-
house results. Typical testing includes the fol-
lowing: 1. ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled
Plasma Mass Spectrometry) for heavy metals
testing; 2. HPLC (High Performance Liquid
Chromatography) identifies the individual
components in a botanical sample; 3. Gas
Chromatography (GC) analyzes volatile com-
pounds in a sample by separating them so
they can be then identified; 4. CE (Capillary
Electrophoresis) identifies compounds by sep-
arating them based on their charge-to-mass
ratio; and 5. Titration, used for quantitative
analysis.
Derek: The Phyto-Tech™ supplements are
mostly herbal in nature, but Willner
Chemists also carries many vitamin sup-
plements. What is the difference between
vitamins and herbs?
Don Goldberg:
Vitamins are substances that
are essential for life, and cannot be made
within your body. In other words, they must
be obtained from outside sources, in the diet.
If you do not obtain adequate amounts of
these vitamins in your diet, you will die.
Thus, an overt deficiency of one or more vita-
mins results in what is called a “deficiency
disease.” Example are “rickets,” due to vita-
min D deficiency, “scurvy,” due to vitamin C
deficiency, “pellagra,” due to niacin deficien-
cy, “beriberi,” due to thiamin deficiency, etc.
Vitamins can be found in some herbal sup-
plements, but not always. Herbal supple-
ments can be a source of vitamin-like sub-
stances, such as phyto-antioxidants
(flavonoids), but that is not usually their pri-
mary purpose
Instead, herbal substances are used more
for their therapeutic and medicinal proper-
ties. Substances in Ginkgo biloba, for exam-
ple, have been shown to improve cerebral
and peripheral circulation and even retard
the onset of early alzheimers disease; sub-
stances in garlic can lower blood pressure
and enhance immune function; substances in
curcumin (turmeric) can reduce inflamma-
tion, etc. Many well known drugs have been
isolated from herbal sources. Digitalis, from
foxglove, is an excellent example.
Derek: Can herbal supplements and vita-
min supplements be taken together?
Don Goldberg:
Absolutely. In fact, it is rec-
ommended. They complement each other.
There are “vitamin” antioxidants, for exam-
ple, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium,
etc., and you can get these in most vitamin
supplements. But some of the most powerful
antioxidants are found in plants, and for max-
imum protection you should take both. This
is why we usually recommend Phyto-Tech™
Antiox Phyto Complex (capsules) or Antiox
Phyto Blend (liquid) as part of any compre-
hensive supplement regimen.
Derek: You have also said that the most
important supplement is a multivitamin.
Why is that?
Don Goldberg:
I explained that vitamins are
essential for life, and that a deficiency of any
one vitamin can lead to life-threatening dis-
ease. But what if you ingest enough vitamins
to prevent overt disease symptions, the mini-
mum about to prevent outward signs of
scurvy, rickets, etc–but not enough to reach
optimal levels? This is what we call “subclini-
cal” deficiency. Don’t you think that having
less than optimal levels of these vitamins in
your system can lead to increased susceptibil-
ity to disease, lack of energy, lowered
immune function, impaired fertility, reduced
bone density, etc. “Optimal” nutrition should
be our goal, not “adequate” or “mininal”
nutrition. When building, you need a strong
foundation before you build or repair the
upper floors. For this reason, I think it is
imperative to always take a properly bal-
anced, broad spectrum multivitamin/multi-
mineral supplement. We designed Willvite™
for this purpose.
Derek: What is the source of your raw
herbs?
Don Goldberg:
Whenever possible, we buy
direct from the farm. To insure freshness and
optimal vitality, we use sources in the United
States whenever possible. Not all herbs can
be obtained from the U.S., of course. We
have cultivated an extensive network of trust-
ed suppliers, and insist on organically grown,
ethically wild-harvested, or selectively import-
ed herbs. In fact, more than 50% of our
botanicals are actually certified organic. We
insist on ethical harvesting to ensure a renew-
able resource. Our herbs are never irradiated
or fumigated. All Phyto-Tech™ hebal supple-
ments are 99% Non-GMO (except the xylitol
in Mint Breath Spray Concentrate), are 100%
gluten free and 99% vegetarian.
Derek: What about the manufacturing
facility?
Don Goldberg:
As I mentioned earlier, we
partner with Mitch Coven, in New Mexico.
Called Vitality Works, his modern, 110,000
square foot state of the art manufacturing
facility is fully set up for the storage, quaran-
tine, testing and manufacturing of liquid and
solid botanical supplements. The facility is
FDA registered as an OTC drug manufacturer
and registered with Health Canada (the
equivalent of the US FDA). It is DSHEA
Compliant, GMP Certified by NSF
International, Kosher Certified by KOF-K, and
Organic Certifried by the New Mexico
Department of Argiculture. Full extraction of
active components from raw botanicals is
accomplished in different ways, depending
on their properties. Fresh herbs are quickly
ground and processed through hydro-alco-
holic maceration for up to 6 months followed
by filtration and collection under up to 300
tons of pressure. Dry herbs are typically
ground to a powder and immediately cold
percolated in a double extraction process to
ensure a full spectrum of activity. Other herbs
require a water extraction, using low heat,
before proceeding to an alcohol extraction
process that can last up to one month. In
addition, two types of capsules are produced
–liquid-filled vegetarian hard gel capsules and
regular, vegetarian powdered herb concen-
trates. These dry herbal capsules are full spec-
trum, mostly organic, current year’s harvest,
with no fillers, no excipients and no magne-
sium stearate lubricants or flow agents. They
are packaged in glass bottles for maximum
freshness. The alcohol used in the extraction
process is USP grade, pesticide free, GMO
free and gluten free. The highly purified
water used is produced within the plant.
Page 13
To place an order, go to
or call (800) 633-1106
since 1911
• Willner Chemists •
the nutritional supplement professionals
Percolation of raw herbs
Encapsulation
Equipment
Phyto-Tech™ Herbal Supplements are manu-
factured in a state-of-the-art facility located in
New Mexico.
Questions & Answers: Willner Chemists Phyto-Tech™ Herbal Supplements
A listing of the Willner Chemists Phyto-
Tech™ products begins on page 8, and
continues throughout this catalog.
You can also access this information
online, at
Just select
“Willner Phyto Tech” from the pull
down menu under “By Manufacturer”
in the Search box at the upper left cor-
ner of the home page.
Our Essential Oils are manufactured in
the same facility. They can be found in
the same search box, by selecting
“Willner Essential Ol”
