Scores 30/35 for dosage transparency, 25/25 for a clean formula, 20/25 for label completeness. 4 ingredients disclosed with amounts.
powder · 32 servings · $0.66/servingBuy on iHerb$20.96
Ranking
10 Best Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are the most varied category on iHerb: hundreds of plants, as powders, extracts or tinctures. The label decides whether you can compare two products at all: a standardized extract states its active compound, a "4:1 extract" states a ratio, and a plain powder states neither.
We ranked single herbs and botanical extracts sold on iHerb that do not belong in a more specific category, by label quality.
Our top picks
Scores 26/35 for dosage transparency, 25/25 for a clean formula, 23/25 for label completeness. 4 ingredients disclosed with amounts.
softgel · 30 servings · $0.55/servingBuy on iHerb$16.55
Scores 30/35 for dosage transparency, 23/25 for a clean formula, 20/25 for label completeness. 4 ingredients disclosed with amounts.
softgel · 60 servings · $1.58/servingBuy on iHerb$94.95
Top 10 ranked
#ProductScoreFormServingsPrice
How we ranked them
Every product is scored 0–100 from its label data in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database: dosage transparency (35 points - are amounts stated per ingredient, or hidden in a proprietary blend?), label completeness (25), formulation cleanliness (25 - fillers, dyes, titanium dioxide and other non-active ingredients) and ingredient profile (15). The Top 10 admits only products scoring 60 or higher; among those, products with a verified retail listing are shown first so the list is one you can act on. No brand can pay to be included or moved up.
Forms and dosage
- Standardized extracts
- Guarantee a percentage of a marker compound; the most comparable form.
- Ratio extracts (4:1, 10:1)
- Concentrated from a stated amount of herb, without a guaranteed active content.
- Whole herb powders
- Ground plant material; fully disclosed but less concentrated.
- Tinctures
- Liquid extracts, often in alcohol; the ratio and alcohol content should be stated.
How much to take
Doses are herb-specific. Compare products by the amount of standardized extract or the equivalent amount of dried herb, and check the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health for the herb you are considering.
Who it's for
Adults choosing a specific herb who want to know how much of it, and in what form, they are getting.
What to watch out for
Blends without per-herb amounts, herbs that interact with medication (St. John's wort is the best-known example), and products without third-party testing for contaminants.
All Herbs & Botanicals products (14485)
1
Oregon's Wild HarvestRene's Tea
832Natural FactorsCherryRich Super Strength Cherry Concentrate 500 mg
823MetagenicsCandiBactin-AR
814KirkmanCD-Herbal
815Gaia Herbs Single HerbsOlive Leaf
806Nature's AnswerBlack Walnut Hulls Alcohol-Free
807Nature's AnswerHorsetail Herb Alcohol-Free
808Nature's AnswerMyrrh Oleo-Gum-Resin
809Nature's AnswerOleoPein Olive Leaf Alcohol-Free
8010Nature's AnswerSt. John's Wort Young Flowering Tops Alcohol-Free
8011Nature's AnswerYellowdock Root Alcohol-Free
8012Nature's AnswerFeverfew Leaf Alcohol-Free
8013Nature's AnswerMotherwort Herb
8014Nature's AnswerGotu Kola Herb Alcohol-Free
8015Nature's AnswerLobelia Herb
8016Nature's AnswerThyme Herb
8017Nature's AnswerYucca Root
8018Nature's AnswerCat's Claw Inner Bark Alcohol-Free
8019Nature's AnswerChamomile Flower Alcohol-Free
8020Nature's AnswerCornsilk Zea Mays Alcohol-Free
80Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a standardized and a ratio extract?
A standardized extract guarantees a percentage of an active compound; a ratio extract tells you how much herb went in, not how much active compound came out.
Are herbal supplements safe with medication?
Some interact with common drugs. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before combining them.
How are herbs & botanicals supplements ranked?
Products are ranked by SupplementScore, which evaluates label quality across four categories: dosage transparency (35 pts), label completeness (25 pts), formulation cleanliness (25 pts), and ingredient profile (15 pts). The score is based on data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database, not marketing claims.
Does a higher score mean the supplement is more effective?
No. The SupplementScore measures label quality, how transparent, clean, and well-documented a product is. It does not measure clinical efficacy, bioavailability, or third-party testing. A higher score means better label practices, not guaranteed results.
How many herbs & botanicals supplements were analyzed?
We analyzed 14,485 herbs & botanicals products from the NIH DSLD database, which contains label data for over 116,000 dietary supplements sold in the United States.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a clinician before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medication or have a health condition.