Botanicals & Herbals

Despite market growth, supply of Ayurvedic raw materials seems secure, experts say

14-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

The supply of botanical materials for Ayurvedic preparations seems secure despite the growing popularity of the products and a recent report that some rules governing wild harvest are being flaunted.

Astaxanthin supplementation possible treatment for UV-induced skin damage: Japanese study

13-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Supplementation with astaxanthin may be able to treat and prevent UV-induced skin deterioration in otherwise healthy individuals, but its mechanisms must be futher examined, according to a Japanese study.

Say 'no' to nootropics? Expert advises extreme caution and extensive research

13-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

An Australian researcher has expressed concerns about consumers' tendency to 'stack' nootropics — also known as 'smart drugs' — claiming it has unknown effects on health, and urgently requires more research.

Wacker debuts antioxidant ingredients for Malaysian nutraceutical market

13-Aug-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Wacker is seeking to boost its nutraceutical business in South East Asia by introducing its antioxidant nutraceutical ingredients, CAVACURMIN and HTEssence, for the first time in Malaysia at an exclusive event in Kuala Lumpur.

Oil palm leaves, Gale-of-the-wind…Malaysia supplement firm to ramp up R&D efforts on local plants with IPO proceeds

08-Aug-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Nova Wellness, a Malaysia supplement firm, is increasing its R&D activities to incorporate local herbs and plants, such as oil palm leaves, in the making of health supplements.

USANA tops $300 million in sales for quarter

26-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

USANA Health Sciences has reported record revenue in its second quarter, driven largely by results in mainland China.

Trials on nutraceutical supplementation for Alzheimer's too short to produce useful results: Industry expert

25-Jul-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Clinical trials on supplementation for Alzheimer's disease are conducted over "too short a time scale", an industry expert has revealed after new research showed limited effects.

Black cohosh and Jamaican dogwood among ingredients in BioCeuticals' new women’s health range

24-Jul-2018 By Cheryl Tay

BioCeuticals has taken advantage of several uncommon ingredients to develop its latest offering, the BioCeuticals Women's Range.

Fish oils, ginseng added to Trump's latest tariff lists

13-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

Dietary ingredients have still mostly escaped the most recent iteration of tariff lists for Chinese goods released by the Trump Administration. The real risk is not to the bottom line but to trade relationships in general, experts in the industry agree.

Review backs green tea, other polyphenols for improving sperm health by cutting oxidative stress

11-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

Fertility is an area rarely touched by dietary ingredients. A recent review by Chinese researchers shows that certain polyphenols may in the near future be able to make claims in this area by reducing inflammation that could damage sperm cells.

Creso signs agreement to bring new CBD product to NZ as first step in APAC expansion

06-Jul-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Creso Pharma has signed a commercial agreement with CB Distributors to bring its cannabidiol (CBD) hemp-based nutraceutcal cannaQIX 50 to New Zealand.

Indian supplement industry 'surprised' by regulator's restrictive ingredients notice: IDMA expert

04-Jul-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a notification detailing its updated directions for a list of ingredients it deems unsuitable for further use in health foods and supplements.

Beverages based on Gac fruit tout beauty, vision benefits

03-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

A new beverage line with a unique beauty-from-within and vision support positioning has launched based on a little-employed superfruit: The Gac fruit from southeast Asia.

Demand for black raspberry seed oil drives company’s expansion

02-Jul-2018 By Hank Schultz

Increasing demand for one of its signature products has led low-profile company Botanic Innovations to more than double the size of its Wisconsin facility.

OmniActive's APAC expansion plans buoyed by latest botanical GMP registration

26-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

OmniActive Health Technologies believes its recent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) registration for its Hosur, Tamil Nadu facility is likely to strengthen its bid for APAC expansion.

Japanese firm Tsumura striving to set higher standards for TCM with China partnership

25-Jun-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Japanese herbal outfit Tsumura & Co has established a joint venture with Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China in an attempt to strengthen the quality of TCM-based products.

Medicinal plant reduces subsequent need for urolithiasis treatment: Taiwan study

21-Jun-2018 By Tingmin Koe

According to researchers in Taiwan, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge — commonly known as Danshen — can reduce the subsequent need for surgical treatment in patients suffering from urolithiasis, a urological disorder where calculi (stones) are formed in the kidney,...

Not such a bitter pill: Swisse launches novel plant-based immune supplement

21-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Swisse is harnessing the power of a little-known plant called Andrographis paniculata to relieve symptoms of the common cold and provide immune support.

The medicinal maggot: Chinese review reveals multiple therapeutic mechanisms

20-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The medicinal properties and therapeutic potential of maggots warrant further studies, say researchers in China.

Nigella sativa's weight loss benefits do not include reduced waist size: Iranian review

20-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Supplementation with Nigella sativa (NS) may aid in weight loss and help to lower BMI, but may not reduce waist circumference, say researchers in Iran.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2018

Fighting Alzheimer's: Increased industry investment in innovation and new strategies crucial

20-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Alzheimer's disease starts earlier than most people realise, and current strategies to lower its widespread incidence are not working.

Ginseng extract a possible multi-target therapeutic tool against diabetes: Chinese review

18-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Ginsenosides, a ginseng extract, is thought to have therapeutic potential against diabetes, according to a Chinese study.

Innovating with ivy: Aussie firm diversifying delivery formats for cough medicine

18-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

An Australian natural medicine firm is offering its patented ivy leaf formulation in a new format to help treat coughs in both adults and children.

Healthy Ageing APAC Summit 2018

Generation gains: Which health concerns are driving supplement purchases across age groups?

13-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The latest insights into the health concerns driving supplement and functional food purchases across different age groups have been revealed at our first Healthy Ageing APAC Summit.

Former Swisse exec unveils cannabidiol expansion plan in new role at Bod Australia

12-Jun-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Australian supplement firm Bod Australia will see George Livery — Swisse's former strategy and corporate director — join its ranks as executive chairman in September this year to drive the firm’s growth strategy in supplements and medical cannabis...

Chinese research reveals Ginkgo biloba's pharmacological mechanisms on Alzheimer's

30-May-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Gingko biloba may have therapeutic potential against Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders, say researchers in China.

Rhubarb a potential treatment for gastrointestinal dysfunction: China trial

21-May-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Rhubarb may relieve gastrointestinal dysfunction in critically ill patients without causing any adverse effects, say researchers in China.

Nutrition Asia Video Series

WATCH: Is personalised nutrition now ready to go mainstream in APAC?

16-May-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Personalised nutrition has the potential to go mainstream in APAC, but the pace of progress will depend on how quickly and effectively MNCs, start-ups and governments can collaborate.

Israeli-Italian innovation: Astaxanthin manufacturer and R&D firm partner for novel delivery formats

11-May-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Israeli astaxanthin manufacturer Algatechnologies (Algatech) has partnered with Italian R&D firm Sphera Encapsulation to produce new functional ingredient formats.

Spinach extract found to suppress osteoarthritis deterioration and improve locomotion

03-May-2018 By Tingmin Koe

Spinach extract reduces the progression of osteoarthritis and leads to "significant improvement in locomotion and balancing activity", according to a research paper published on BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Can seaweeds' impact on skeletal muscle inflammation help prevent diabetes?

03-May-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Two species of brown seaweed may help prevent type 2 diabetes through their effects on skeletal muscle inflammation, say researchers in South Korea.

DSM targets personalised nutrition advances in Japan following DeNA Life Science link-up

02-May-2018 By Gary Scattergood

DSM Japan is to begin working with with DeNA Life Science as it seeks to expand its activity in the personalised nutrition space, and better understand what services consumers want after they receive data based on their DNA.

Ayurveda-based botanical blend from Arjuna beneficial for bowel movements: RCT

25-Apr-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The consumption of a particular poly-herbal formulation alleviated gastrointestinal symptoms and improved overall quality of life, according to researchers in India and Australia.

News in brief

Sabinsa awarded $850,000 in curcuminoids patent suit

24-Apr-2018 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa Corporation has prevailed in a patent infringement lawsuit against an Indian competitor based on the intellectual property supporting its Curcumin C3 Reduct technology.

Australian supplement firm riding on bio-hacking wave to spur nootropic development in Asia

18-Apr-2018 By Cheryl Tay

An Australian manufacturer is tapping into growing demand for nootropics, using herbs to develop 'natural' supplements to boost cognitive health.

HI SOUTH EAST ASIA 2018

'Golden age' for supplements in South East Asia driving start-up boom

12-Apr-2018 By Cheryl Tay

South East Asia has reached a 'golden age' where opportunities for start-ups in the functional food and supplement sectors abound, according to one industry expert.

HI SOUTH EAST ASIA 2018

Herbal supplements in Indonesia: On-trend ingredients and pressing health concerns revealed

12-Apr-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Indonesia's young population, buoyed by greater disposable income, are increasingly interested in herbal supplements for their preventative healthcare benefits, according to one industry expert.

HI SOUTH EAST ASIA 2018

Herbal supplements 'at a crossroads' amid stricter regulations in APAC

11-Apr-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Herbal supplements in the Asia Pacific region is "at a crossroads" due to regulatory challenges, with countries such as South Korea and China having implemented stricter laws for products.

Herbal medicines and obesity: Comprehensive new review needed to understand clinical efficacy

10-Apr-2018 By Cheryl Tay

An updated comprehensive review is required to detail the mechanisms and clinical efficacy and safety of herbal medicines in treating obesity and metabolic syndrome, say researchers in Iran.

NATURAL PRODUCTS NEW ZEALAND SUMMIT 2018

China cross-border e-commerce access: 'Too early to say what will happen in 2019' – trade expert

02-Apr-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Exporters to China have been told to 'watch this space' over cross-border e-commerce rules, which provide the easiest access to the nation's soaring supplement market, but are due to end this year.

NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS NEW ZEALAND SUMMIT 2018

'A year of going global': Kiwi horopito firm breaks into China, Canada and the UAE

28-Mar-2018 By Gary Scattergood

A New Zealand supplement and skincare firm, which manufactures horopito-based anti-candida products, has secured export deals to China, Canada and the UAE in the past year.

Rewarding innovation and excellence: Entries now open for first ever NutraIngredients-Asia awards

19-Mar-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Entries open today for NutraIngredients-Asia's first ever awards, held in recognition of the best and brightest in health and nutrition throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Novel fungi extract could help to treat coronary artery diseases: Taiwanese study

14-Mar-2018 By Cheryl Tay

An extract from a fermentation product of Monascus purpureus, a species of fungi, could be useful in regulating blood lipids and treating coronary artery diseases, according to researchers in Taiwan.

Celsius' revenues skyrocket in advance of large-scale China launch

13-Mar-2018 By Hank Schultz

Fast-growing energy drink brand Celsius Holdings recorded nearly 60% growth in revenue year over year, even as investments in its China launch mean it is still reporting losses overall.

Cannabidiol helps curb the frequency of epileptic seizures in youngsters, new Australian review reveals

07-Mar-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Cannabidiol (CBD) may help to reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures, especially among youngsters and those with the most serious form of the condition.

Turmeric extract may protect against osteoarthritic pain and inflammation: Study

28-Feb-2018 By Cheryl Tay

The polar extract of Curcuma longa may have protective effects against osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the journal Inflammopharmacology.

Study: Botanical blend may reduce number of bathroom breaks due to urinary tract symptoms

22-Feb-2018 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in Australia compared the effects of taking a botanical blend versus a placebo among participants with symptoms of urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. They found that those who took the botanical blend had significantly lower bathroom...

Blackmores' H1 sales strong in Asia, but firm issues warning over ingredient shortages

22-Feb-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Double-digit sales growth across Asia has boosted Australian manufacturer Blackmores' financial performance for the half-year ended 31 December 2017, though supply issues are presenting a challenge, the firm has revealed.

Yellow tea has potential to combat type 2 diabetes symptoms: China study

09-Feb-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Large yellow tea, taken as a dietary supplement, could have potential as a food additive to ameliorate symptoms linked to type 2 diabetes, according to researchers in China.

Kiwi exports boom as Chinese consumers seek TCM ingredients from overseas

09-Feb-2018 By Cheryl Tay

An increasing number of Chinese consumers are developing a taste for TCM ingredients and products imported from overseas, with New Zealand firms in particular enjoying an exports boom.