American Botanical Council

Nigella sativa is a widely used medicinal plant and it is very popular in traditional systems of medicine like Unani Tibb, Ayurveda, and Siddha. N. sativa grows 8-35 inches in height and has finely divided, somewhat threadlike leaves. This species has pale-blue to pale-purple flowers that bloom in the spring and produce seed capsules (fruit) that contain numerous black seeds. The majority of the global commercial supply of N. sativa seed is obtained from cultivation in Egypt, Turkey, and India. According to the third edition of the American Herbal Products Association’s Herbs of Commerce, the standardized common name is black cumin, and other common names are blackseed and nigella. Extensive studies on N. sativa have been carried out by various researchers and a wide spectrum of its pharmacological actions have been explored. According to the third edition of the American Herbal Products Association’s Herbs of Commerce, the standardized common name is black cumin, and other common names are blackseed and nigella. At least 100 clinical studies have investigated N. sativa seed and seed oil for their efficacy for various conditions, including respiratory, diabetic, hepatic, metabolic, mental, and dyspeptic disorders, male infertility, and others. Studies have shown that the therapeutic properties of this plant are due to the presence of thymoquinone which is a major bioactive component of the essential oil. The Herb Market Report lists N. sativa within the top ranked herbal supplements for 2022, and the herb is available through ABC’s Adopt-an-Herb Program. The Adopt-An-Herb Program is an exciting and mutually beneficial way to support ABC. Each adopting organization helps ensure that the most current information on their herb is available in HerbMedPro. This enables consumers, researchers, media, health practitioners, government agencies, and members of industry to have easy access to abstracts of the latest scientific and clinical publications on the many aspects, properties, and benefits of the adopted herb. The adopters' contribution to keeping ABC's information up to date is recognized in multiple ways. Adopters also gain an Adoption Page on the ABC website that provides free information to site visitors as well as media releases to the herbal industry at large. ABC is gearing up for a vibrant and robust 2025, with continued vital and relevant research to serve the interests of the botanical medicine community. Become an adopter today! Contact lauren@herbalgram.org for more. #AmericanBotanicalCouncil #AdoptanHerb #BotanicalAdulterantsProgram #Sponsorship

Beetroot (Beta vulgaris)  is descended from the wild sea beet (B. maritima) which is native to the coastal regions of Europe and North Africa. Used by athletes and sports physiologists, beets have emerged as a promising sports performance supplement ingredient. A growing body of evidence suggests that beetroot, the taproot of the beet plant, has the potential to improve athletic performance and endurance. New research aims to pinpoint its mechanisms of action and how it may help support body systems and impact blood pressure, heart health, and even cognitive function. Beetroot contains a variety of health-promoting compounds, including resveratrol and quercetin. It also consists of multiple biologically active phytochemicals including betalains (e.g., betacyanins and betaxanthins), flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, and inorganic nitrate (NO3). Beets are also a rich source of diverse minerals such as potassium, sodium, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and manganese. Studies of the potential sports performance benefits of beets have focused primarily on nitrates, which have been shown to play a role in blood pressure regulation, cardiovascular function, and mitochondrial energy production. Further, a wide variety of studies have highlighted the bioactivity of beetroot in antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antitumor, hepato‐protective, cognitive improvement, and blood pressure regulation.    The HerbalGram herb Market Report (Issue #139, Winter 2024) lists red beetroot within the top-ranked herbal supplements for 2022, and the herb is available through ABC’s Adopt and Herb Program.    The Adopt-An-Herb Program is an exciting and mutually beneficial way to support ABC. Each adopting organization helps ensure that the most current information on their herb is available in HerbMedPro. This enables consumers, researchers, media, health practitioners, government agencies, and members of industry to have easy access to abstracts of the latest scientific and clinical publications on the many aspects, properties, and benefits of the adopted herb. The adopters' contribution to keeping ABC's information up to date is recognized in multiple ways, including links on their websites and a range of other benefits allowing them to share free information on their adopted herbs with their website visitors. Adopters also gain an Adoption Page on the ABC website that provides free information to site visitors as well as media releases to the herbal industry at large.     ABC is gearing up for a vibrant and robust 2025, with continued vital and relevant research and educational activities to serve the interests of the botanical medicine community.    Become an adopter today! Contact lauren@herbalgram.org for more.  #AmericanBotanicalCouncil #AdoptanHerb #BotanicalAdulterantsProgram #Sponsorship #beetroot 

The ICSB WOCMAP Joint Meeting 2024, was convened in Oxford, Mississippi, from April 15th to 18th. This gathering brought together over 309 attendees from government, academia, and industry, more than 79 speakers and panelists, and 124 posters. Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of the American Botanical Council (ABC), gave a plenary lecture entitled "HerbalGram at 40 Years: A Brief History of Issues and Milestones in the Evolution of the Modern Herb Movement.” He talked about the beginnings of HerbalGram, ABC, the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program and the Sustainable Herbs Program, the role of the ABC in setting quality standards for the herbal industry, and the impact of the US dietary supplement legislation on the availability of botanical dietary supplements. #ICSB #WOCMAP #Oxford #Mississippi #Botanicals #MedicinalPlants

𝘓𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘢 is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. Lavender flowers are primarily used as a mild sedative and lavender essential oil is used for pain, insect bites, burns, inflammation, small cuts, and other skin conditions. Please enjoy this information on lavender made available through the generosity of NAHA’s adoption: https://ow.ly/AP8250RftJ0 Adopt-An-Herb is an exciting and mutually beneficial way to support ABC! Each adopting organization helps ensure that the most current information on their herb is available in HerbMedPro. Click the link to learn more about the Adopt an Herb program: https://ow.ly/isjQ50RftJ1

Introducing the Scope 3 Herbal Footprinting Working Group, a dynamic coalition of industry members committed to combating climate change by gathering data on greenhouse gas emissions linked to herbal ingredient production and supply. Hosted by the American Botanical Council's Sustainable Herbs Program, this collaborative effort unites seven prominent companies in the tea and dietary supplement sector: Banyan Botanicals, Nature’s Sunshine, Pure Synergy, Pukka Tea, Traditional Medicinals, Pacific Botanicals, and Yogi. Ann Armbrecht, founder and director of the Sustainable Herbs Program (SHP), emphasizes the significance of collective action in addressing the climate crisis: The climate crisis is changing how we work together. These seven companies coming together to map their emissions data will benefit not only their bottom line but also their farm partners, consumers, the herbal industry and the environment. Discover more about this innovative initiative in the article: https://lnkd.in/eDXgatKB

The American Botanical Council has awarded its 2024 Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award to David Winston, RH (AHG), founder and president of B Corp™-certified herb product manufacturer Herbalist & Alchemist (H&A), and dean of David Winston’s Center for Herbal Studies. The ABC Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award is named for ABC’s Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal. The Blumenthal Award is given annually to individuals who have played a significant role in creating a sense of connection and community among herbalists, botanical researchers, members of the herb and natural products communities and industries, and others who work with medicinal and aromatic plants. Click to read more: https://ow.ly/6VMB50RftII

𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴 is an herbaceous perennial in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to the Southern Europe and Western Asia. Lemon balm is a calming herb used for tenseness, restlessness, irritability, as well as for digestive complaints and externally for cold sores. Please enjoy this information on lemon balm made available through the generosity of Four Elements’ adoption. To learn more about lemon balm click the link below! https://ow.ly/QQ6x50RftIl Or contact ABC to learn how your company can become an adopter: https://ow.ly/EJNj50RftIk

The American Botanical Council has presented its 2024 ABC James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award during the annual Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA, in both the reference/technical and consumer/popular categories. The award recipient in the reference/technical category is the American Herbal Products Association’s Herbs of Commerce, 3rd edition by Merle Zimmermann, Holly E. Johnson, Michael McGuffin, and Wendy Applequist. In the consumer/popular category, the award was given to the book Psychonauts: Drugs and the Making of the Modern Mind by Mike Jay. ABC gives the Duke Award annually to books that contribute significantly to medicinal plant-related literature and the fields of botany, taxonomy, ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, phytomedicine, and other related disciplines. Click the link to read the press release: https://ow.ly/OCC250RftGI

Hops (𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘶𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘴) is a perennial vine in the family Cannabaceae and is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Hops are used in brewing beer, to flavor food, and as a perfume scent. The main medicinal uses of hops are as a sedative, and for restlessness, anxiety, and to decrease excitability. Please enjoy this information on hops made available through the generosity of Gaia Trading’s adoption: https://lnkd.in/gcNwCUnq Contact ABC to become an adopter: https://lnkd.in/dXAQTu6h

Robin J. Marles 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐁𝐂 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑. 𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 ABC presents this annual award, named in honor of the internationally respected professor Norman R. Farnsworth, PhD (1930–2011), to an individual who has made significant research contributions in the fields of pharmacognosy, ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, or other scientific disciplines related to medicinal plants. “I am very honored to be selected as the recipient of this year’s ABC Norman R. Farnsworth Excellence in Botanical Research Award,” Marles said. “Professor Farnsworth was a wonderful mentor during my six years at UIC College of Pharmacy. My other professors provided excellent technical training, but Professor Farnsworth strongly encouraged us to apply critical thinking to problems, evaluate carefully rather than just accept what was published in the literature, and to try to see the big picture. I have tried to follow these principles throughout my career.” Click to read more: https://lnkd.in/g-33H_4W