Botanicals

PhD Life range taps into hunger for holistic health

19-Aug-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

PhD has launched a new range of products named 'PhD Life', looking to tap into consumers' growing interest in holistic and long-term health solutions.

Kerry agrees to acquire Natreon for ~$50 million

10-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Kerry’s expansion of its health portfolio shows no sign of slowing as the company has agreed to acquire botanicals player Natreon for approximately $50 million (€42 million).

NutraCast: Jim Flatt, PhD, CEO of Brightseed

07-May-2021 By Danielle Masterson

While many of us don’t completely understand plants on a molecular level, emerging technologies are helping us to do so. With the help of artificial intelligence, Jim Flatt, co-founder and CEO of Brightseed, is building a database that he says is the...

Immunity, relaxation, energy and focus: Trending botanicals in food and beverage, from ashwagandha to ginseng

28-Apr-2021 By Elaine Watson

Once confined to dietary supplements and herbal teas, botanicals from ashwagandha to ginseng are springing up in a growing number of ready-to-drink beverages and snacks as brands seek to imbue their wares with functionality and an air of sophistication....

BAPP: 10 years of tangible results educating the industry and changing practices

22-Mar-2021 By Stephen Daniells

The ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterant Prevention Program made its debut 10 years ago, and over the course of the past decade the program has made an immense contribution to educating the industry about adulteration

Indena celebrates 100 years with digital launches and biodiversity haven

16-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Botanical ingredients titan Indena is celebrating 100 years as "protagonists of the market" with plans for its centennial year including the creation of a green biodiversity terrace over its HQ in Milan.

New natural solutions for immune health

11-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Ingredient producers have extended their portfolios to offer further natural solutions for immune health focused supplements and functional food and drink.

Study finds metabolic benefits of multiple supplement use persist into older age

05-Mar-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new study has found that consistent use of multiple dietary supplements is associated with better health that persists into older age. The association doesn’t prove a causal link, the authors acknowledge, but is good news for healthy aging strategies...

EC’s proposed Aloe ban sets dangerous precedent for natural products, says industry group

04-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

The European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) has launched a petition defending the use of Aloe and other plants in food supplements in response to proposed changes affecting botanicals containing Hydroxyanthracene Derivatives...

ABC: 2020 saw soaring sales but rising supply and adulteration concerns, too

23-Dec-2020 By By Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council

The year 2020 has been unprecedented in the lives of all people — including those currently involved in the global botanical research communities as well as those involved in global and domestic trade of botanical raw materials, extracts, essential oils,...

Pharmacy driven: McPherson’s paving new retail focus for soon-to-be acquired Blackmores’ TCM business

11-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

McPherson’s will be focusing on the pharmacy distribution network for the TCM and oriental botanical brands that it will be acquiring from Blackmores.

Could 2021 be THE worst year in memory for botanical supply?

Experts sound alarm over 2021 botanical supply challenges

12-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

As sales of dietary supplements and natural products remain high – and many companies report record sales – the strain on the supply chain is immense, and for botanicals in particular, and that means a difficult 2021 could be on the horizon.

Saw Palmetto supply: ABC-SHP webinar explores adulteration and sustainability

09-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Why is Saw Palmetto so vulnerable to adulteration? How did 2020's harvest compare to 2019's 'bumper crop'? And what efforts are underway to ensure the sustainable, high-quality supply of this important botanical? Experts weighed in...

Paper lays out historical precedents in use of plant based remedies during pandemics

01-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

The effusion of natural products connected to COVID-19 is nothing new. Plant-based remedies have played a central part in all of the pandemics in human history, a Spanish researcher maintains.

Researcher: “There is enormous potential for breadfruit in the protein sector”

23-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

As more consumers focus on health, wellness and sustainability, researchers are pointing to one botanical that has been hiding in plain sight for thousands of years.

Overseas interest rockets: How US and Europe nutra firms are seizing opportunities in growing Indian market

26-Aug-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A number of nutraceutical companies from the US and Europe, including algae omega-3 maker Qualitas Health and botanical-based supplement firm Legacy Healthcare, are tapping into the fast-growing nutraceutical market in India.

Cinnamon may improve blood sugar control for people with prediabetes

23-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Cinnamon can improve blood sugar control in people with prediabetes and could even reduce the risk of them developing Type 2 Diabetes, according to a new clinical trial.

Study: Beetroot supplements could boost weight training performance

01-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Beetroot juice supplements could improve muscular endurance and increase tolerance to resistance training, according to a new randomised double-blind crossover study.

From the editor's desk

Centinela: Remember the name

01-Jun-2020 By Hank Schultz

People who would like to put a damper on apocalyptic projections of the effects of climate change and habitat destruction like to focus on the fact that we’ll get through this, that life will find a way. There’s no doubting this (the world is not about...

Is plant cell culture technology finally ready for big time?

26-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

Plant cell culture is an inviting technology to produce bioactives from certain botanicals. The approach is a difficult one to master, however, which is a primary reason why it is still somewhat rare in the market.

Quicker and more cost-effective method to ID bioactive compounds in plant extracts

11-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A group of scientists from Sechenov University, Russia, and La Trobe University, Australia, have developed a quicker and more cost-effective method of detecting and identifying bioactive compounds in complex samples such as plant extracts, according to...

Plant extract combination may relieve hangover symptoms

04-May-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A plant extract combination of fruits, leaves, and roots may help to relieve hangover symptoms, according to a large randomised double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg-University, in Germany.

Researcher says stem cell activation could lie at root of health effects of many natural products

24-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

An independent researcher thinks the natural products sector might be underemphasizing a key way in which these products work — that being the effect some of the compounds found in them can have on stem cell proliferation.

Mouse study finds effects for little studied compound geniposide in NAFLD

17-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new study has found potentially interesting effects on non alcoholic fatty liver disease from geniposide, a rarely studies compound derived from a gardenia species.

Melinjo tree seed extract may reduce obesity and diabetes

27-Mar-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A seed extract from the Indonesian Melinjo tree may reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes, according to a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled clinical study among healthy young subjects.

Popularity of curcumin continues to drive ingredient innovation

19-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

Market demand has driven significant innovation in the delivery modes of curcumin, perennially of one of the best selling botanicals.

Gaia finds commitment to traceability resonates with consumer base

04-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

A commitment to transparency and traceability can have a real ROI when it convinces consumers that a brand aligns with their ideals, said an official with Gaia Herbs.

From the editor's desk

There’s a lot of ground to cover at trade show without getting bogged down in COVID-19 crisis

28-Feb-2020 By Hank Schultz

NutraIngredients-USA will investigate the latest news at the upcoming Expo West trade show while at the same time trying not to get distracted by the weight of current events.

New supplement laws proposed to boost innovation and sector growth

20-Feb-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The European Federation of Associations of Health Product Manufacturers (EHPM) has created a manifesto and regulatory proposal detailing significant legislative changes needed in order for the food supplements sector to reach its full potential to aid...

European board of experts agree on turmeric quality criteria

06-Feb-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

The Advisory Board on the Quality of Botanical Supplements has created a consensus paper to clarify how experts can examine the quality, safety and efficacy of turmeric supplements.

The NutraIngredients-USA Awards are back! Submit your entries!

08-Jan-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2020 have three new categories but the same commitment to honor the best and brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in the dietary supplements industry.

From the editor's desk

Reason for optimism in supplements market

03-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

As the dietary supplement industry enters the century’s third decade there is significant reason to be optimistic about the decade ahead.

Guest article

CBD, climate crisis, sustainability: ABC takes a look at 2019 and beyond

20-Dec-2019 By Stefan Gafner and Mark Blumenthal, American Botanical Council

The news about CBD and hemp extracts dominated 2019, says the American Botanical Council. But issues surrounding the ongoing climate crisis, questions of sustainability, and the ongoing questions of adulteration were important topics as well.

From the editor's desk

Looking for the best the weight management category has to offer

06-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

The growing obesity epidemic has flummoxed public health officials. Unfortunately, the dietary supplement industry has a checkered history in helping to find solutions.

Immediate action needed to protect medicinal plants from climate change, paper argues

18-Nov-2019 By Hank Schultz

Urgent action is needed to assess and mitigate the risks climate change poses to medicinal plants, according to a paper published on Friday.

Study using DILIN data reveals kratom’s liver injury potential

14-Nov-2019 By Hank Schultz

Kratom can cause liver injury in some cases, according to evidence presented recently at a meeting of liver specialists.

News in brief

Oxford Botanical conference calls for abstracts, opens for registration

29-Oct-2019 By Stephen Daniells

The 20th annual Oxford International Conference on the Science of Botanicals is now accepting abstract submissions. The event is held March 30th - April 2nd, 2020 in Oxford, Mississippi.

Tariffs starting to inflict real pain, trade association exec says

24-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

A vast and growing majority of American companies doing business in China have been negatively affected by the US-China trade war, an expert on the matter said at a recent meeting.

Sibelius Natural Products unveils new chamomile sleep aid

23-Oct-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Research has shown Roman chamomile to be efficacious for restful sleep and immune support applications.

AOAC approves methods to ID, quantify cranberry constituents

14-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

AOAC recognition of two cranberry methods means there is finally consensus on how to identify and quantify the proanthocyanins (PACs) within the botanical, the test’s developer says.

From the editor's desk

Is going big the only way to win in the supplement industry?

11-Oct-2019 By Hank Schultz

The inauguration of a huge, shiny, new (well, repurposed) facility leads to the question of what scale in the industry best serves the dietary supplement consumer.

2018 HerbalGram Herb Market Report

CBD supplement sales rocket to take top spot in the US natural channel

23-Sep-2019 By Stephen Daniells

With 332% growth year-on-year and $52 million in sales, cannabidiol (CBD) has taken the top spot as the best-selling herbal supplement in the natural channel, according to the 2018 HerbalGram Herb Market Report by the American Botanical Council.

Editor's Spotlight

Alkemist Labs CEO: 'It’s the personal touch that really matters'

05-Jun-2019 By Adi Menayang

We spoke with Elan Sudberg, CEO of Alkemist Labs and winner of our NutraChampion award to learn about how he stays up to date with the latest science and technology, what keeps him up at night as CEO, and how the industry has changed since he first started.

Finding stevia 'polarizing', beverage brand Petal switches up its sweetener ahead of national retail launch this summer

27-Mar-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Sparkling botanical beverage brand Petal has had a busy first year as the company doubled its product line with three new flavors, underwent a reformulation (swapping out stevia and erythritol for organic agave), and is now primed for national distribution...

Martin Bauer Group expands global botanicals empire with BI Nutraceuticals acquisition

25-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Global botanicals firm Martin Bauer Group acquired California-based BI Nutraceuticals to boost its US business.

Pharmako patent approval for delivery system technology opens doors for NPD and new partnerships

28-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Pharmako Biotechnologies has had the patent for its LipiSperse technology approved by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), opening the door for the firm to develop novel formulations for lipid-soluble compounds.

As supplement makers look beyond the pill, Nuherbs to offer new bespoke service for herbal extracts

21-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

At the recent SupplySide West 2018 expo, Oakland-based herbal specialist Nuherbs announced a new platform in which clients can get ultra-tailored plant extracts specific to their personal needs.

Maple leaf extract may prevent wrinkles, research suggests

23-Aug-2018 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Maple leaf extract may have anti-aging effects including the prevention of wrinkle formation by interfering with the breakdown of elastin proteins in the skin, researchers from the University of Rhode Island reported.

Panda-friendly Schisandra: Project provides blueprint for sourcing botanicals in ecosystems with endangered animals

06-Jul-2018 By Stephen Daniells

How palm oil supply affects endangered orangutans, or coffee production impacts migratory birds are relatively well-known for many consumers, but they may not be aware of “panda-friendly” Schisandra sphenanthera. This could be set to change.

The erosion of predictability: Climate change and the botanical supply chain

22-Mar-2018 By Stephen Daniells

From changes to the times when plants are flowering, fruiting, and harvested, to disruptions to nature’s synchronization between plants and their insect pollinators, climate change is exerting significant pressure on the botanical supply chain, and companies...