![Supplement picks: Bountiful botanical selections Supplement picks: Bountiful botanical selections](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltafc06db067aebac6/64cbf83cdb0bcc7a8de33eaa/NewHopeNetwork_Horizontal_RGB.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
This might be the coolest way ever to ingest a botanical ingredient—it’s certainly the tastiest. Solid extracts are relatively little known, but they are effective delivery formats for concentrated nutrients. These jam-like pastes can be eaten straight from a spoon, spread onto toast or crackers, or mixed in hot water or tea. One of the more popular SKUs in the Herbalist & Alchemist line is Cranberry Blueberry Solid Extract. Made with New Jersey–grown cranberries and blueberries and a light, natural lemon flavoring, this extract is packed with antioxidants to support healthy urinary tract function. Other products in the lineup include new Blueberry Solid Extract, a systemic antioxidant to support healthy vision; Elderberry Blueberry to bolster the immune system; Hawthorn Blueberry for heart health; Tomato Carrot for eyes; and Pomegranate-Goji for general antioxidant support. SRP: $16.75; Booth 5418
Who doesn’t like a nice cup of green tea? But guess what? Most of green tea’s nutritional components don’t actually make it from the tea bag to your body. Fact is, if you really want the benefits of green tea, you have to eat it. But who wants to do that? Now you’ll want to, thanks to this innovative line of shakers from PFC Foods. One little sprinkle of flavorless TeaGren packs the antioxidant boost of five cups of tea. Of course it’s gluten free and non-GMO. There is a decaf version of TeaGren, but because each sprinkle amounts to only 20 mg of tea leaves, we doubt anyone will catch a buzz even from the caffeinated option. There’s also PawTea for sprinkling on your puppy’s chow. Even Fido could use an antioxidant boost! SRP: $6.49-$9.99; Booth 9004
Curcumin, a curcuminoid found in turmeric, helps give the popular spice its yellow color. Its antioxidant properties offer neuroprotective perks and support a healthy immune system and a balanced response to environmental stressors. Unfortunately, curcumin also has poor bioavailability, which has traditionally limited its functional uses. But NOW Foods’ CurcuBrain features Longvida Optimized Curcumin, which studies have shown exhibits up to 65 times the bioavailability of free curcuminoids compared with generic curcumin. Longvida is based on patent-pending discoveries and utilizes new technology called Solid Lipid Curcumin Particle, or SLCP. Longvida is absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and delivered to the rest of the body as free curcumin, the active form in the body. Longvida has been shown to penetrate the blood-brain barrier for the support of healthy neuronal tissues. In one study of healthy patients ages 60 to 84, 400 mg of Longvida significantly supported normal working memory, attention, alertness and contentedness as compared with placebo. SRP: $39.99; Booths 6024, 1140
Shots are all the rage these days, so we especially like these aronia berry concentrates. The aronia berry, aka the chokeberry, is grown mostly in Eastern Europe. But Nebraska farmer Kenny Sailors, the man behind this brand, has resurrected the berry in North America. One university-conducted test found that aronia berries trump the antioxidant power of blueberries, blackberries, pomegranates, goji berries, elderberries, and black and red currants. Bonus: Aronia berries contain the fantastic flavonol quercetin and a range of vitamins and minerals. Studies have demonstrated this quercetin’s effectiveness in maintaining cardiovascular health. A shot a day really could keep the doctor away. SRP: $3.49; Booth 559
Shots are all the rage these days, so we especially like these aronia berry concentrates. The aronia berry, aka the chokeberry, is grown mostly in Eastern Europe. But Nebraska farmer Kenny Sailors, the man behind this brand, has resurrected the berry in North America. One university-conducted test found that aronia berries trump the antioxidant power of blueberries, blackberries, pomegranates, goji berries, elderberries, and black and red currants. Bonus: Aronia berries contain the fantastic flavonol quercetin and a range of vitamins and minerals. Studies have demonstrated this quercetin’s effectiveness in maintaining cardiovascular health. A shot a day really could keep the doctor away. SRP: $3.49; Booth 559
Having herbal discussions might not be easy. But your customers—especially younger ones—are buying. A Gen X or millennial woman that takes more than five supplement pills a day—more than any other user segment—is the most likely average American herbal supplement user. And she’s more likely than any other group to believe that herbals are “very safe.” Here are some we, and she might, like.
After perusing these supplement top picks, cruise on over to this relevant discussion from David Winston about incorporating herbal traditions in products and at retail.
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