Milk Thistle Extract, also known as Silymarin Extract, is a standardized botanical ingredient widely used in dietary supplements, functional foods, and cosmetic formulations. Manufactured under GMP-certified conditions, AIHerba® supplies bulk milk thistle extract with consistent purity, full traceability, and comprehensive technical documentation for global B2B buyers.
As a professional milk thistle extract supplier and manufacturer, we provide high-purity grades tailored for OEM/ODM projects, contract manufacturing, and private-label brands. Our extract is produced from carefully selected Silybum marianum seeds, supported by strict quality control, COA, and regulatory-ready specifications.
👉 Request specifications, samples, and bulk pricing directly from the manufacturer.
Quick Summary
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Ingredient Name: Milk Thistle Extract / Silymarin Extract
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Botanical Source: Silybum marianum (seed)
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CAS No.: 22888-70-6 (Silymarin complex)
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Main Applications: Dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics
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Typical Purity: 70% – 80% Silymarin (UV/HPLC)
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Suitable Industries: Nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, OEM/ODM manufacturing
2. What Is Milk Thistle Extract?
Milk Thistle Extract is a plant-derived ingredient standardized for silymarin, a group of flavonolignans naturally present in milk thistle seeds. In industrial supply chains, silymarin extract is valued for its functional properties, formulation compatibility, and long history of use in nutritional products.
Key Characteristics
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Derived from non-GMO botanical raw materials
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Available in standardized silymarin concentrations
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Suitable for capsules, tablets, powders, and topical formulations
Common Applications
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Nutritional supplement formulations
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Functional beverage and food systems
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Cosmetic products requiring botanical actives
Safety & Regulatory Status
Milk thistle extract is commonly used in supplements and formulated in accordance with applicable food and cosmetic regulations. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Supplier & Manufacturer Profile
AIHerba® operates as a GMP-certified milk thistle extract manufacturer, offering bulk supply, OEM/ODM services, and technical support for global procurement teams.
3. Detailed Technical Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Silybum marianum |
| Part Used | Seed |
| Active Marker | Silymarin |
| Purity | 70% – 80% |
| Test Method | UV / HPLC |
| Appearance | Yellow-brown fine powder |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in ethanol |
| Molecular Weight | ~482.4 (silybin reference) |
| Grade | Food / Supplement Grade |
| Shelf Life | 24 months |
4. Product Source & Raw Material Origin
Our milk thistle seeds are sourced from traceable agricultural regions with controlled cultivation practices. Each batch is verified for botanical identity and quality prior to extraction, ensuring consistency for industrial use.
5. Mechanism of Action & Functional Properties
From a formulation perspective, silymarin extract exhibits antioxidant-related functional properties and stability characteristics valued in supplement and cosmetic systems. These properties are associated with its flavonolignan composition and compatibility with standard excipients.
6. Application-Relevant Benefits (Regulatory-Safe)
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Commonly used as a botanical functional ingredient
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Suitable for antioxidant-focused formulations
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Compatible with multi-ingredient blends
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Stable under standard processing conditions
(All benefits described relate to ingredient functionality and industry use only.)
7. Usage Guidelines & Formulation Recommendations
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Typical formulation inclusion levels vary by application
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Suitable for capsules, tablets, powders, and emulsions
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Recommended to conduct formulation stability testing
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OEM technical support available upon request
8. Traditional & Modern Industrial Applications
Milk thistle extract has been traditionally used in herbal systems and is now widely applied in modern industrial nutraceutical and cosmetic manufacturing, especially in standardized botanical formulations.
9. COA & Quality Control Specifications
Pesticide Residues
| Item | Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Organophosphates | ≤ USP Limit | GC-MS |
| Organochlorines | ≤ USP Limit | GC-MS |
| Pyrethroids | ≤ USP Limit | GC-MS |
Heavy Metals
| Item | Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Lead (Pb) | ≤ 3 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 2 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤ 1 ppm | ICP-MS |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤ 0.1 ppm | ICP-MS |
Microbiological Specifications
| Item | Limit | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 10,000 CFU/g | USP |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 100 CFU/g | USP |
| E. coli | Negative | USP |
| Salmonella | Negative | USP |
10. Manufacturing Process & Production Flow
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Raw material inspection
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Botanical identification
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Solvent extraction
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Concentration & purification
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Standardization
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Drying & milling
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Final quality inspection
11. Storage, Shelf Life & Packaging
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Store in cool, dry, sealed conditions
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Shelf life: 24 months
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Packaging: 1 kg, 5 kg, 25 kg fiber drums or customized
12. MOQ, Sample Policy & Global Shipping
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MOQ: Flexible for bulk orders
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Samples: Available upon request
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Lead Time: 7–15 working days
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Shipping: Air, sea, or courier worldwide
13. Clinical Data & Scientific Research
Milk thistle and silymarin have been widely referenced in scientific literature. AIHerba® provides references for informational purposes only, without medical claims.
14. Applicable Industries
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Dietary supplements
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Functional food & beverages
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Cosmetics & personal care
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Contract manufacturing
15. Industry Application Scenarios
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Supplement Brands: Standardized silymarin capsules for global markets
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OEM Factories: Multi-ingredient botanical blends
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Cosmetic Manufacturers: Botanical antioxidant formulations
16. Supplier Comparison & Procurement Guide
When selecting a bulk milk thistle extract supplier, buyers should evaluate:
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GMP certification
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Batch consistency
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COA & traceability
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Regulatory documentation
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OEM/ODM capabilities
17. FAQ for B2B Buyers
Q1: What is the difference between milk thistle and silymarin?
A: Silymarin is the standardized active complex extracted from milk thistle seeds.
Q2: How much silymarin should be in high-quality extract?
A: Industrial standards typically range from 70% to 80%.
Q3: Is milk thistle extract safe for supplements?
A: It is commonly used in supplement formulations when compliant with regulations.
Q4: Can I get a free sample of bulk silymarin extract?
A: Samples are available for qualified B2B buyers.
Q5: Do you support OEM/ODM projects?
A: Yes, full OEM/ODM support is available.
Q6: What documents are provided?
A: COA, MSDS, specifications, and regulatory support files.
19. References & Regulatory Sources
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PubMed
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NIH Dietary Supplement Database
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FDA Dietary Supplement Guidelines
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European Pharmacopoeia (EP)
Manufacturer & Quality Assurance
Manufactured by AIHerba® (Shaanxi Zhonghong Investment Technology Co., Ltd.),
a GMP-certified manufacturer specializing in high-purity botanical extracts
for dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications.
✔ GMP-certified production facility
✔ Full COA & technical specifications available
✔ Batch traceability & strict quality control
✔ Bulk supply & OEM/ODM services for global B2B buyers
📧 sales@aiherba.com
| info@aiherba.com
| liaodaohai@gmail.com
🌐 www.aiherba.com
If you are looking for a bulk supplier / OEM manufacturer of milk thistle extract or silymarin extract, contact us for specifications, COA, and pricing.
Bulk Supply & Technical Support
Get direct factory quotes, COA, and MSDS within 12 hours. We support bulk supply and custom specifications.
