Distribution of global herbal medicine market 2017 by segment

Herbal medicines and supplements have been growing in popularity in recent history. As of 2017, about 46 percent of the global herbal medicine market was attributed to Western herbalism. However, a further 36.6 percent of the market was also attributable to traditional Chinese medicines during that same year.

Dietary supplement usage in the U.S.

Supplements and herbal medicines are not viewed as medications by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are considered foods and not drugs. Supplements, therefore, do not undergo the same testing and regulations that other drugs do in the U.S. There are many available supplements and they can be taken as pills, brewed as tea, applied to the skin or added to bath water. Among U.S. adults, green tea, cranberry and turmeric are the most popular herbal supplements. Within the U.S., single herbal supplements generate higher revenues than combination herbal supplements.

The U.S. dietary supplement market

The dietary supplement market in the U.S. is a multibillion-dollar industry that has the potential for significant growth in the coming years. Vitamins and botanicals hold the largest share of the overall market’s value, and that is not expected to change in the coming years. Within the specialty supplement market, Omega 3/fatty acids, probiotics and fiber are among the most popular supplements among U.S. consumers.