
Botanicals


Across the Nutraverse: India’s ashwagandha leaf ban, prebiotics in Canada, sports nutrition opportunity
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

New study shows ashwagandha supports women’s stress, sleep and brain health
From stress and sleep to brain fog, more women are turning to adaptogens for support—but until recently, clinical data specific to female populations has been limited. A new all-female study by Arjuna Natural aims to help close that gap by examining the...


Synbiotic supplement may reduce signs of skin aging: Vidya study
Daily supplementation with an antioxidant-rich synbiotic may improve skin elasticity in the face and reduce the severity of wrinkles, says a new study.

Across the Nutraverse: Clinical trials for active women, Andrographis in Australia, MPL in the House
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

Saskatoon berry intake linked to improved heart and gut health
Daily consumption of dried Saskatoon berries (SB) could improve cardiometabolic health and reduce inflammation in healthy adults, according to new research published in the International Journal of Molecular Science.

Adaptogen supplements may ease stress and anxiety and boost sleep quality: RCT
Daily supplementation with a multi-herb or an ashwagandha root formula from Gaia Herbs for 60 days led to improvements in measures of stress, fatigue, and anxiety, says a new study.

Hiya brings kids chews and greens powder to UK parents
US-based children’s supplement startup Hiya has announced its official launch in the UK as its first international expansion.

Low-dose ashwagandha effective for exercise endurance and overall performance: RCT
Thirty milligrams per day of an optimized ashwagandha ingredient may boost cardiorespiratory fitness and delay the onset fatigue in healthy adults, according to data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Ginseng adulteration under the microscope in new BAPP Bulletin
A new bulletin from the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP) details the latest adulteration and mislabeling of ginseng roots, a highly regarded herb with high prices incentivizing fraud in the supply chain.

Thorne targets perimenopause and libido gaps with latest science-led campaign
The launch reflects increasing industry focus on life-stage nutrition and more complex hormonal health needs.

NOW testing of oregano oil sold on Amazon yields ‘disappointing’ results
The latest batch of testing of dietary supplements purchased online by natural product manufacturer NOW has revealed widespread quality issues among “no-name” oregano oil brands, with nearly two-thirds of the products failing potency testing.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Anna Harshman, VP of Impact and Development at WishGarden Herbs
After growing up surrounded by herbalism, Anna Harshman, VP of Impact and Development at WishGarden Herbs would later go onto carve out her own role in the family business.

SANS 2026: State-level rules and class action trends raise new stakes for supplement brands
Dietary supplement companies may be focused on FDA activity in Washington, but at the Sports & Active Nutrition Summit (SANS), Rend Al‑Mondhiry, partner at Amin Wasserman Gurnani LLP, warned that some of the major risks are emerging much closer to home.

Novella taps new CEO and bets on ‘precision botanicals’ for consistent ingredients
Israel-based Novella Innovative Technology have appointed Antonio Martínez Descalzo as CEO as the plant cell culture start-up transitions from its R&D phase toward full-scale commercial operation.

Low-dose saw palmetto extract shows hair growth improvements in 180-day clinical trial
A standardized saw palmetto extract standardized for specific fatty acids report improvements in hair density, new hair growth and shedding reduction in adults with self-perceived hair thinning, say two new studies.

Industry leaders praise ‘high bar’ of NutraIngredients USA awards as entry deadline approaches
With the extended deadline for the NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2026 now just days away, the window for companies across the U.S. supplement and nutrition sector to submit their entries is almost closed.

Is FDA opening the long‑shut DSHEA ‘innovation door’?
The upcoming public Food and Drug Administration (FDA) meeting exploring the scope of dietary supplement ingredients will revisit one of the most contested and, according to DSHEA’s architects, most misunderstood phrases in the U.S. dietary supplement law.

Deadline extended for the NutraIngredients-USA Awards!
For those who haven’t submitted yet, time is on your side.

Across the Nutraverse: Human milk analytics hub, precision fermented collagen, pharmacovigilance for natural products
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

KSM-66 ashwagandha may support cognition and sleep in children
Supplementation with KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract in gummy form for eight weeks is well tolerated and may enhance cognitive performance and sleep quality in children between the ages of 6 and 12, according to new research.

Herbal extract complex may reduce signs of skin aging: Cosmax study
A combination of extracts from Korean mint, goji berry and fig may reduce wrinkles and improve skin hydration and elasticity, says a new study from scientists at Cosmax, South Korea’s largest cosmetics manufacturer.

New pharmacovigilance survey on natural health products to roll out globally
A new survey covering global pharmacovigilance approaches in the natural health products sector is launching soon and will be extended to over 200 industry organizations and regulatory bodies, including those in China, the United States, Europe and other...

Six ingredient categories offer opportunities for NutraIngredients USA Awards glory
The prestigious NutraIngredients USA Awards are back with 16 categories honoring the best and brightest in the U.S. dietary supplement industry, including our six “ingredient of the year” categories.

Turmeric extract may support sports recovery: RCT
Daily supplementation with a proprietary turmeric formulation may improve muscle function and reduce muscle soreness post-exercise, says a new study using Givaudan’s TurmiPure Gold.

Across the Nutraverse: China health food imports, SuppCo’s new certification program, MartinBauer consolidation
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

A celebration of innovation: Reasons to enter the NutraIngredients USA Awards
Entries for the awards are welcome across 16 categories, covering ingredients, finished products, companies and initiatives in the nutrition and food supplements industry.

Across the Nutraverse: WCO recognizes supplements, Ronaldo and Herbalife, Pharmactive’s Korean opportunity
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

World Customs Organization formally recognizes dietary supplements as a standalone category
Dietary supplements are set to be formally recognized as a distinct category in global trade for the first time, following a recent update to the Harmonized System by the World Customs Organization.

February Launch Pad: From men’s health to pregnancy, starting in the gut
Microbiome-driven innovation dominates the latest launches, from prebiotic fibers and next-gen probiotics to L-glutamine, but brands are also expanding into targeted solutions for cognition, stress, hydration and metabolic support.

Expo West 2026 supplement preview: What’s happening on the show floor
Thousands of exhibitors across the natural products spectrum will descend on the Anaheim Convention Center for the 45th annual Expo West trade between March 3 and March 6.

Real Mushrooms acquisition highlights consolidation in US functional mushroom supplements
The deal brings together two companies known for their long-standing focus on extraction methods, analytical testing, and labeling transparency, areas that have become increasingly scrutinized as consumer awareness and regulatory oversight intensify.

Herb combination may improve liver function in healthy people
A combination of organic extracts of turmeric, dandelion, milk thistle and ginger may improve liver enzyme levels, according to a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Julie Dennis Fox, National Educator, Piping Rock
When Julie Dennis Fox stumbled upon a Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) pamphlet as a teenager in Los Angeles, something clicked. The plant’s chemical constituents and history of traditional use sparked a commitment that would shape her entire career.

Phenylcapsaicin may boost CrossFit performance, endurance and recovery: RCT
Acute supplementation with a nature identical capsaicin analogue ingredient may improve athletic performance and recovery for CrossFit athletes, says a new study from Spain.

Proposed HEMP Act would create federal CBD pathway as hemp industry faces regulatory crossroads
A bipartisan bill in the U.S. House of Representatives introduced on Jan. 22 could establish the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived products intended for human consumption.

Across the Nutraverse: Ginseng adulteration, EFSA’s DHA levels, ANH sues FDA, Aker’s India strategy
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

Functional Mushroom Council launched amid market growth
The Functional Mushroom Council (FMC) has launched as a nonprofit industry organization representing North American functional mushroom growers, suppliers and brands, with a focus on research, education and quality standards.


Ginseng adulteration remains a significant concern, says BAPP review
Almost 25% of commercial ginseng products may be adulterated, with dietary supplements at greater risk than powdered ginseng root or ginseng tea, says a new scoping review from the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP).

Across the Nutraverse: Sen. Durbin reintroduces supplement listing bill, Garcinia concerns, opportunities and challenges for Vietnam
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.



2026 SANS Start-up Star
Q&A: 3 Waves Wellness on connecting gut, heart and brain for ‘everyday excellence’
Supplement start-up 3 Waves Wellness is putting the gut-brain-heart axis at the center of a new approach to health, where mental fitness, metabolic health and emotional resilience drive performance and longevity.

Across the Nutraverse: iHerb acquires Vitacost, Kirin’s push into longevity, lavender supplement quality concerns
Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the Nutraverse.

FDA denies ANH petition to roll back suppression of nutrient-disease health claims
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has denied a petition from the Alliance for Natural Health USA (ANH-USA) seeking to allow over 115 ‘government-backed’ disease risk reduction health claims.

SANS 2026: Cellular health, aging and older consumers in the spotlight
With a renewed focus on self-care and a deeper appreciation for healthspan, older consumers present an important and valuable demographic for the active nutrition sector.

‘A fairly dismal picture of food supplements’: Analysis highlights quality issues with lavender products
Over 60% of products containing lavender contained less or none of the three main marker compounds for lavender, says a recent analysis of 73 herbal medicinal products and dietary/food supplements on the global market.

Across the Nutraverse: MLB’s Ohtani get new immune ambassador role, Tru Niagen for beauty, rhodiola for athletic performance
Happy New Year, Nutraverse! Catch up with our weekly round-up of key news from across the global nutrition, functional foods and dietary supplements industries.