Immunity-Boosting Ingredients for Your Next Supplement Line

Today, your consumers are more health-conscious than ever and are looking for quick and easy alternatives that'll help them get the much-needed immunity boost. What's better than an immunity-boosting capsule or tablet that complements their daily nutrition and exercise?

The next thing that I've seen consumers incline towards is - "natural and herbal." A recent study also concluded that consumers are more likely to associate the term natural with healthy.[i] And that may be true for the immune supplement market. Botanicals and Herbs are valued for their medicinal and therapeutic properties, flavors, and scent. They are often believed to improve health - thanks to their historical immune benefits.

The immunity-boosting market is estimated to grow between 2020-2030 at a steady CAGR of more than 4%. Studies also predict that the supplement market may reach USD 29 billion by 2030. This represents a great opportunity for brand owners to tap into the growing immunity-boosting supplement market.

Through this article, I wish to touch upon a few herbal and botanical ingredients that are trending in the market and may help brand owners capitalize on the growing demand.

Before I start, I'd like to highlight a few reasons that are responsible for this growth:

Growing awareness of preventive healthcare
Quick access to supplements through online as well as offline stores
The increased purchasing power of consumers

Trending Herbs and Botanicals to Boost Immunity

Here's the list of top 9 ingredients that can be a part of your immune-boosting supplement line:

Bladderwrack

A type of seaweed found in the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans, bladderwrack is used for its medicinal benefits.[ii] Bladderwrack's iodine-content may be highest among sea vegetables – one of the major reasons for its popularity as an ingredient that may support thyroid function.

Bladderwrack's active ingredients include iodine in the form of inorganic solvents bound to lipids and proteins. It also contains minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Fucoxanthin, a flavonoid known to have the highest antioxidant activity, is present in bladderwrack along with other phenolic compounds and mucopolysaccharides.[iii] The evidence in human studies has revealed that 500 mg of bladderwrack (basic seaweed extract, not concentrated) seems to be bioactive.[iv]

Elderberry

Found on the European Elder tree, elderberries are dark purple berries renowned for their umpteen medicinal properties. Approximately 2000 years ago, Hippocrates called elderberry his medicinal chest due to its adept healing capabilities.[v]

Over centuries, elderberry supplements have been used to support a healthy respiratory tract and immune system.

Elderberry has several health benefits - thanks to its unique profile of natural constituents, which includes nutrients like proteins, fats, fatty acids, organic acids, minerals, vitamins, essential oils, and bioactive compounds like polyphenols and anthocyanins.[vi] [vii] [viii] [ix]

Medicinal Mushrooms

For thousands of years, medicinal mushrooms have been used to support health and wellbeing in Eastern medicines. They are now gaining popularity in the immune health category worldwide.[x] With over a hundred varieties being studied, a few are gaining popularity among the consumers, with the common ones being chaga, turkey tail, reishi, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, and lion's mane.[xi]

Each medicinal mushroom has a unique health benefit to offer, but there's one component that's common to all. That's the presence of beta glucans. So, what are beta glucans? They are polysaccharide fractions responsible for the immune-modulating functions of these mushrooms.[xii]

Studies suggest that beta glucans obtained from fungus help activate leukocytes (white blood cells) and help promote intestinal immunity. Studies have also shown mushroom's properties to help reduce inflammation due to physical overexertion, boost antioxidant activity, maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within normal ranges, support immune and cognitive function, and much more![xiii] [xiv] [xv]

Echinacea

The purple coneflowers native to North America are called Echinacea. Grown in the prairies and open wood areas, Echinacea is considered one of the most popular herbs worldwide.[xvi]

It contains compounds like phenolic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, alkamides, polyacetylenes, etc.[xvii]

These compounds make Echinacea a good supplement ingredient for promoting heatlhy immune function. Several studies have demonstrating this immune system supportive action.[xviii]

Licorice

Licorice is the root of a plant named Glycyrrhiza glabra. Early Egyptians used this root as a cure-all mixture. Originating in Europe and Asia, this plant was initially classified as a weed. After being imported to China, licorice gained popularity as an essential medical herb.[xix] [xx]

Studies indicate that licorice has approximately 300 flavonoids and over 20+ triterpenoids. These metabolites are responsible for this sweet root's myriad health and wellness supportive.[xxi]

Licorice helps support the lungs ability to expel excess mucus.. This root also helps provide promote healthy digestion.[xxii]

Propolis

Bees have more to offer than just honey! They produce a compound called Propolis from the sap of needle-leaved trees and evergreen trees. Bees combine the tree's sap with their discharge and beeswax to produce a sticky, greenish-brown product named Propolis.

Propolis has more than 300 compounds present in it, with a majority of them being different types of polyphenols.[xxiii] It is also rich in flavonoids, a type of polyphenol known for its health promoting properties.[xxiv]

Studies indicated the presence of enzymes, essential vitamins like vitamins B1,
B2, B6, C, and E and minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.[xxv]

Curcumin

The famous golden herb – turmeric – is an active kitchen ingredient in Asian households. Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin that has very strong anti-inflammatory effect in response to physical overexertion, as well as very good antioxidant properties. Curcumin is also one of the most well-researched therapeutic ingredients that fall in the natural category.[xxvi]

Curcumin supports immunity, helps build gut-immunity, and supports healthy liver function.

Andrographis

A South Asian native, Andrographis paniculata (Andrographis) is renowned for its health promoting properties. An ancient, weedy shrub, Andrographis contains several chemical compounds like Lactones, Diterpenoids, diterpene glycosides, flavonoids, and flavonoid glycosides.[xxvii]

Several studies indicate that Andrographis is safe and efficient for support a healthy respiratory system. Although there are 40 species of Andrographis, only a few are used for their medicinal properties.[xxviii]

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant compound derived from grapes, a few berries, and peanuts. Studies indicate that Resveratrol has numerous properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory in response to physical overexertion, and immune supportive.[xxix] [xxx] In fact, Resveratrol helps promote adaptive and innate immunity, including the activation of various immune cells.[xxxi]

immunity-boosting-supplement-ingredients-infographic

Wrapping Up…

Herbs and botanicals have historically been used for immune support and can help your consumers promote their immunity even today. The immune support market shows promising growth, with consumers becoming extremely conscious about maintaining good health. All the ingredients mentioned above are gaining popularity among consumers, and we can help you develop the formula based on your specific requirements.

With over 120+ years of experience, Nutrascience Labs can help you manufacture, package, and label your immunity-support supplement while following all the legal regulations and meeting the supplement market standards. Whether you want to develop an immune-boosting capsule, tablet, or powder, we can guide you through the entire process!

Call 855-492-7388 now to speak with one of our knowledgeable production specialists or send us your request to receive a free manufacturing price quote!

References:

[i] https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/mediarelease/immune-health-supplements-market.asp

[ii] https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-3653002

[iii] https://www.gaiaherbs.com/blogs/herbs/bladderwrack

[iv] https://examine.com/supplements/bladderwrack/

[v] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-434/elderberry

[vi] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/elderberry-a-natural-way-to-boost-immunity-during-cold-and-flu-season/

[vii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30670267/

[viii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198157/

[ix] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7185606/

[x] https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/best-medicinal-mushrooms-to-try

[xi] https://www.vchoice.com/medicinal-mushrooms-surprising-must-have-supplement