Botanical extracts are concentrated substances derived from plants, including roots, leaves, fruits, seeds, and flowers. They capture the bioactive compounds of the original botanical source and are used across industries for their functional, nutritional, and aromatic properties. Whether extracted through cold pressing, distillation, or solvent methods, these ingredients are valued for their versatility and performance.
While botanical extracts are commonly associated with personal care products like lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics, their use in food, beverages, and nutraceuticals is growing fast. Gillco, in partnership with Bio-Botanica, specializes in supplying botanical extracts for food and supplement applications, with a particular focus on beverages.
Botanical Extracts for Food and Beverage
In the food and beverage space, botanical extracts are often used for flavor enhancement, nutritional support, and functional positioning. From teas and sparkling drinks to bars and gummies, formulators use extracts to meet clean-label demands and deliver natural benefits consumers recognize and trust.
Gillco’s botanical extracts are water-soluble, making them ideal for functional beverages and liquid supplements. Each extract is standardized for quality and consistency, and many are available in organic-compliant formats.
Popular applications include:
- -Functional waters and wellness shots
- -Nutraceutical beverages
- -Plant-based snacks and bars
- -Dietary supplements and capsules
- -Gummies and chewables
Featured Ingredients: Hawthorn Berry Extract and Chamomile Extract
Two standout ingredients in Gillco’s portfolio are hawthorn berry extract and chamomile extract, both of which offer valuable functional and positioning benefits.
Hawthorn Berry Extract
Hawthorn berries have a long history of use in traditional wellness systems. Known for their antioxidant properties, hawthorn berry extract is often included in heart health formulations and functional drinks. The berry’s mild, slightly tart flavor also complements fruit-forward beverages.
Applications:
- -Cardiovascular support blends
- -Herbal elixirs and teas
- -Functional juice drinks
Chamomile Extract
Chamomile extract is widely used for its calming and soothing properties. While well known in personal care and teas, it also plays a role in wellness beverages and nutraceutical supplements for stress and relaxation.
Applications:
- -Herbal teas and sleep support beverages
- -Calm and focus supplement blends
- -Nutraceutical powders and capsules
Both ingredients are available in organic botanical extract versions to meet consumer demand for clean and recognizable labeling.
Botanical Extracts and the Clean Label Movement
As consumers become more aware of ingredient sourcing and transparency, botanical extracts are gaining traction within the clean label movement. These ingredients allow formulators to add recognizable plant-based components with perceived health benefits, while avoiding synthetic additives or artificial flavors.
Whether it’s a chamomile extract for stress relief or a hawthorn berry extract for cardiovascular wellness, brands can use botanical extracts to create functional products with consumer trust built in. With organic botanical extracts available through Gillco, manufacturers can meet the increasing demand for natural, functional, and clean-label offerings.
Why Choose Gillco for Botanical Extracts?
Gillco’s botanical ingredient offerings are made possible through its partnership with Bio-Botanica, a leader in plant-based extractions with over 50 years of expertise. Bio-Botanica’s on-site botanical identification lab and vertically integrated processes ensure quality control from raw plant material through finished ingredient.
As a trusted supplier in the food and nutraceutical space, Gillco supports brands with:
- -Water-soluble, standardized extracts
- -Organic-compliant and clean-label options
- -Technical expertise in beverage formulation
- -U.S.-based manufacturing and traceable sourcing
While personal care remains a major use case for botanical extracts, Gillco focuses on helping food, beverage, and supplement brands bring high-quality plant-based functionality to market.
Trust Gillco as Your Ingredients Supplier
So, what are botanical extracts? In short, they are plant-derived concentrates that deliver both function and appeal in a variety of products. From hawthorn berry extract to chamomile extract, these ingredients continue to expand into food and beverage formulations thanks to growing consumer interest in natural wellness. Whether you’re formulating a calming beverage, a heart-healthy gummy, or a functional supplement, organic botanical extracts from Gillco offer the purity, quality, and performance your brand can rely on. Explore our full range of offerings here.