Botanicals

EuroPharma aims at eye dryness with sea buckthorn product

29-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Wisconsin-based EuroPharma has expanded with its eye health offerings with a novel approach, using an omega-7 rich product to address eye dryness and proper hydration.

ABC article details many facets of black cohosh adulteration

28-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Black cohosh is something of a poster child for the economic adulteration that plagues certain herbal ingredients in the dietary supplement industry.  A new article published by the American Botanical Council lays out the history of the situation, and...

Seaweed could make ‘excellent’ nutritional supplements, says researchers

28-May-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Red and brown seaweed are rich in minerals and nutrients and carry great potential for use in nutritional supplements, according to new research.

Warning letter gives look at how FDA views supplement-beverage divide

22-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Among recent warning letters sent by the US Food and Drug Administration to supplement manufacturers one stood out from the rest as it bears upon how the agency view the differentiation of beverages and supplements, according to Justin Prochnow, an attorney...

Is theobromine responsible for cocoa’s cholesterol benefits?

21-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential of cocoa to beneficially impact ‘good’ cholesterol levels may be linked to the theobromine content and not the flavonoids, says a new study from Unilever Research & Development Vlaardingen.

Red blood cells harbor Pycnogenol metabolite, research shows

21-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Horphag Research knew the what about their flagship ingredient, Pycnogenol, as it pertained to its many health benefits.  But until a recent study, the company was a little hazy on the how and the where.

Vitamin D and ginger show potential in reducing asthma symptoms, new studies suggest

20-May-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with vitamin D or ginger extracts may help ease the symptoms of asthma, according to two new early stage research studies.

Multi-component supplement may boost weight loss, says new human study

17-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A multi-component supplement containing raspberry ketone, caffeine, capsaicin, garlic, ginger and bitter orange extracts may enhance body composition, and reduce hip and waist girth in overweight men and women, says a new study.

UPDATE: Swedish agency detects (legal) amphetamine-like compounds in sports supplements; not in ‘authentic’ Craze, says manufacturer

17-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

A Swedish lab has found amphetamine-like compounds in sports supplements containing a herbal extract that has been touted as a replacement for widely banned stimulant, DMAA. But the lab said the compounds were not illegal, while the product maker has...

DSM launches dry powder tomato extract for food supplements

14-May-2013

Dutch ingredients giant DSM is launching a dry powder form of its Fruitflow tomato extract which has an EFSA-approved health claim for improved blood circulation – attained in 2009.

Javaplant site visit - extraction in Indonesia

06-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

FoodNavigator-Asia recently visited Indonesia's largest extraction facility, Javaplant, to look at how one of Asia's top 10 botanical, coffee and tea extractors produces products for export around the world.

Sustainability NGOs back Cameroon cultivation of African cherry tree

06-May-2013

Two NGOs responsible for safeguarding plants and forests have positively reviewed the harvesting practices of a prostate-benefitting botanical harvested in Cameroon.

New research bolsters stress-fighting credentials of Relora ingredient

03-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Next Pharmaceuticals has bolstered the stress-reducing credentials of its Relora branded ingredient with new research presented at the recent Experimental Biology conference in Boston.

Ashwagandha extracts show lifespan benefits: For worms at least

03-May-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Ashwagandha extracts may significantly increase the lifespan of C. Elegans, organisms with metabolic processes are similar to those of humans.

Pine bark extract shows benefits against metabolic syndrome: Human data

03-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, may help reduce health risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, suggests new data from a human study.

HerbDay celebrates role of medicinal plants in human health

02-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

The annual HerbDay national celebration, whose 8th edition is set for this Saturday, May 4, was begun as a way to rember the important role herbs play in health and have played in human history, says one of the event’s founders.

Vestiage plans to formulate and acquire its way to top of anti-aging game

02-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

In putting together his vision for anti aging product company Vestiage, CEO Scott Kimball drew up on his experience as a professional baseball player. He has assembled a strong front office, has some promising rookies on the roster and now intends to...

DSM Q1 sales steady; happy with acquisitions

02-May-2013

Strong nutrition sales drove a steady quarter at DSM with sales up 10% in that division, as EBITDA profits improved €5m across the company to €311m compared to €306m in Q1 2012.

Sabinsa rolls out novel Moringa and Boswellia extracts, hails ‘overwhelming response’ to Curcumin C3 Reduct

01-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sabinsa Corporation is launching two novel water-soluble ingredients, one from of Boswellia serrata, called Polybos, and the other called MoringIn from Moringa oleifera.

UNPA's Israelsen proposes new carrot to go with FDA's GMP stick

29-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry is falling behind on GMP compliance, says Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance.  Fixing that is a matter of coming up with a new carrot to go with the stick wielded by the Food and...

GNC gradually dumping DMAA but not because it's unsafe

29-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

In the wake of an FDA announcement on DMAA, GNC is moving to gradually remove all DMAA-containing products from its shelves, but not because the company believes that the ingredient is unsafe.

Sabinsa's new patent covers trio of compounds in weight management

23-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa Corporation has extended its IP portfolio in the fast growing weight management category with a new patent covering the use of a trio of families of bioactive compounds.

Berries show anti-diabetes potential: Human data

19-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Strawberries, bilberries, lingonberries, and chokeberries may blunt the insulin response to the starch-rich bread, and offer a means of reducing the risk of diabetes, says a new study from Finland.

Research elucidates different approaches to modern ashwagandha ingredients

15-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Ashwagandha, sometimes called the “king” of ayurvedic herbs, has been gaining traction in the North American marketplace.  A big part of the reason is the investments in clinical science and the marketing support made by major suppliers of the ingredient,...

Updated: CRN calls on industry to stop manufacturing DMAA-containing products

FDA: 'Information is insufficient to defend the use of DMAA'

12-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

After reviewing the response from USPlabs about the use of DMAA as an ingredient in dietary supplements, the FDA has concluded that the evidence is ‘insufficient’, NutraIngredients-USA can report.

Tropical leaf extracts may boost pre-diabetic health measures: Clinical trial

11-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements containing extracts from Elaeis guineensis or Ficus deltoidea may benefit the health of people with pre-diabetes by improving blood sugar and lipid levels, say findings from a clinical trial.

Letter to the editor

Nutratech: BfR report is ‘clearly at odds with the scientific literature on safety of bitter orange-caffeine combinations’

10-Apr-2013

Leading bitter orange/ p-synephrine supplier Nutratech has countered a report from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) over concerns about the ingredient’s safety, noting it is at odds with the scientific literature.

Bitter orange and caffeine combo may be unsafe, says BfR

09-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Sports supplements and weight loss products that contain a combination of caffeine and synephrine from bitter orange may not comply with current regulations and could be classified as unsafe, warns the BfR.

Naturex introduces cold-processed 100% fruit and vegetable powders

08-Apr-2013 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Naturex has introduced a range of 100% fruit and vegetable powders produced through a low-temperature spray drying process that better preserves flavour, colour and nutrition.

Olive polyphenols play ‘key role’ in learning and memory processes: Animal data

05-Apr-2013

A natural extract made from olive polyphenols could help to increase learning and memory processes by increasing levels of important proteins in the brain, according to new research in rodents.

Black tea compounds show blood pressure benefits: Human data

05-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Three cups of flavonoid-rich black tea per day may reduce the variability in blood pressure at night, says a new clinical trial.

Flaxseed may offer improvements for obese pre-diabetics

04-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Adding flaxseed to the diet may decrease insulin resistance in pre-diabetics and help reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, suggests new data from the US and Canada.

Phytochemicals show anti-inflammatory and brain health benefits: Pure Encapsulations/ Atrium Innovations

04-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenol-rich extracts from fruit and vegetables may have molecular targets with potential relevance to cardiometabolic and neurological health, according to new data.

Green tea extracts show promise for people with metabolic syndrome

02-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Drinking green tea or taking a supplement containing green tea extracts may improve the body’s antioxidant protection in people with the metabolic syndrome, says a new study.

Orange polyphenols fail to show immune effects

01-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Polyphenols from orange juice, and the juice itself, do not affect parameters of immune health, says a new human trial from France.

American Botanical Council awards botanical excellence: ABC awards 2013 in pictures

26-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The recipients of the American Botanical Council's (ABC) 8th Annual Celebration and Awards Ceremony stepped into the spotlights in Anaheim, California recently to collect their awards. Here's our gallery of all the worthy recipients. 

Bitter melon may offer 'exciting' cancer promise

13-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Bitter melon juice may prevent the development of pancreatic cancer by cutting off the fuel supply to cancerous cells, according to new data.

Green tea EGCG may help prevent plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease

06-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Extracts from green tea may block the formation of beta-amyloid plaques that have been linked to the onset ofAlzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, according to new laboratory data.

Is curcumin the next omega-3? Sabinsa expects so with ‘game changing’ Curcumin C3 Reduct

19-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The final stumbling blocks for the wide use of curcumin have been removed, claims Sabinsa as it launches its ‘next generation’ of curcuminoids offering ‘greater potency, stability and much better bioavailability’.

Study ‘leaves little doubt’ about Pycnogenol’s benefits for menopause symptoms

14-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of extracts from the bark of French Maritime Pine may help reduce the symptoms of the menopause like hot flashes and night sweats, says a new study.

ABC article puts another nail in DMAA's coffin

08-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

The studies that claim to have found DMAA present in geranium are suspect both because of where they were published–in an open-access, pay-for-publication journal–and because of problems with the studies themselves, a new article by the American Botanical...

AHPA, ABC oppose call for change of regulatory status for St. John's wort

04-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

A pharmacists’ group has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to limit consumers’ access to St. John’s wort, a move opposed by the American Herbal Products Association and the American Botanical Council.

Spanish company sponsors ABC’s olive info

29-Jan-2013

The American Botanical Council announced yesterday that Natac, a Spanish natural products company, has agreed to sponsor ABC’s information on olives through its Adopt-an-Herb Program.

Ayurvedic workhorses poised for market breakthrough, expert predicts

17-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

If you are looking for what’s hot on the botanical front in 2013, here’s the skinny from a longtime observer of the herbal arena: Open your lesson book to the first two pages, and follow after me: A is for Ayurveda and ashwagandha and B is for bacopa.

FDA approves first orally administered botanical drug

04-Jan-2013

For the first time, FDA has approved an orally administered botanical as a new drug, the American Botanical Council reports.

Adulteration issues highlighted 2012, Blumenthal says

13-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

The year 2012 might not mark the end of the world.  But in future years as people look back, it might mark the beginning of the end for the adulteration of botanical materials, according to Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical...

Plandaí Biotech promises bioavailability step change for raft of phytonutrients from green tea catechins to citrus extracts

11-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Plandaí Biotechnology - which hopes to take the botanical extracts market by storm with never-before-seen levels of bioavailability - reckons it will be able to supply commercial quantities of its Phytofare citrus limonoid glycoside complex by Q3 2013...

Tight relationship with farmers key to supply, botanical companies say

02-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

In an increasingly globalized world, botanical ingredient suppliers are taking steps to lessen the risks posed by Mother Nature, potential political unrest and the guys in suits with bags of money.

Port strike creating botanical 'fulfillment panic,' supplier says

29-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

A strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach is interrupting shipments of raw materials and is creating a “fulfillment panic” in the herbal industry, according to a leading botanical supplier.

Pomegranate and black cohosh adulteration: Botanical collaboration lines up next focus topics

28-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The American Botanical Council’s Mark Blumenthal has called for more self-regulating from industry and regulating from FDA to combat adulteration, as the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program lines up black cohosh and pomegranate extracts as the...