by Herbal nutraceuticals refer to herbal products that are extracted from plants and that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These products offer preventive and therapeutic properties and help promote optimal health and well-being.
History and Traditional Usage
They have been used in traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and other folk medicines for thousands of years. Ancient medicinal texts from India, China, Greece, and other regions document extensive usage of herbs, plants, seeds, roots, and barks for their health-supporting properties. Some commonly known traditional herbal nutraceuticals include turmeric, ginger, garlic, holy basil or tulsi, guarana, and ginkgo biloba.
Mechanism of Action and Medicinal Properties
They derive their beneficial effects from the presence of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other biologically active compounds in them. These components have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidative, immunity-boosting, and other medicinal properties that help address various health conditions.
For example, curcumin in turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Herbal Nutraceuticals Gingerol and other compounds in ginger are powerful anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting agents. Allicin in garlic lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Phytonutrients in holy basil are adaptogenic, reducing stress levels. Caffeine and other components in guarana deliver sustained energy.
Uses and Benefits
Some commonly used herbal nutraceuticals and their main health benefits include:
Turmeric: Prevents inflammation, arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. Boosts brain and liver health.
Ginger: Reduces inflammation, nausea, pain, cold, flu, and digestive issues. Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Garlic: Supports heart health, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Fights infections and boosts immunity.
Holy Basil: Manages stress, anxiety, depression, asthma, insulin resistance, and acne. Keeps heart, brain, and liver healthy.
Ginkgo Biloba: Enhances memory, focus, and cognitive functions. Prevents dementia, Alzheimer’s, anxiety disorders, and tinnitus.
Guarana: Provides sustained energy, reduces fatigue. Enhances mental focus and performance. Lowers appetite and manages weight.
Amla: Rich in vitamin C, prevents flu, cold, infections. Lowers cholesterol and blood sugar. Boosts hair, skin, and eye health.
Ashwagandha: Reduces stress, anxiety, insomnia. Manages arthritis, asthma, epilepsy, adrenal fatigue, and diabetes. Enhances fertility and stamina.
Current Regulations and Quality Standards
In recent years, there has been a significant rise in demand for high-quality Herbal Nutraceuticals. Regulatory bodies in many countries have established safety, efficacy, and quality standards for these products to ensure consumer protection from counterfeits and contamination. Herbal nutraceutical manufacturers need to follow Good Manufacturing Practices and obtain necessary certifications to guarantee product quality and consistency. Proper extraction methods, standardized herbal content, and toxin screening are important aspects of quality control.
Safety Considerations
While herbal nutraceuticals convey numerous health benefits when consumed as per recommended dosage, some safety considerations need to be kept in mind. People with certain health conditions may need to consult a healthcare practitioner before regular use. Interactions with prescription medications should also be ruled out. Purity of source herbs and manufacturing standards play a crucial role in safety.
Future Scope and Conclusion
The global market for herbal nutraceuticals is growing significantly every year. Ongoing research continues to unravel more mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications of traditional herbs. Standardization efforts will ensure wider consumer access to high-quality herbal products. With growing awareness, herbal nutraceuticals are likely to play an increasingly prominent role in preventive healthcare and management of lifestyle-related diseases. Their advantages of being natural yet effective make them a practical lifestyle choice for holistic well-being
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya, a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
