Botanicals in Nutraceuticals: How to Check if a Plant Ingredient Is Permitted

Build an identity sheet

Record Latin name and relevant synonym, part used, geographic source, preparation, extraction solvent, extract ratio, marker compounds and specification. A supplier’s common-name label may be insufficient to distinguish the material from another plant part or concentrated derivative.

Use the correct schedule version

The 2016 and operationalised 2022 structures use different schedule arrangements. Read the applicable botanical entry and later directions together rather than citing an old schedule number as if nothing changed. Check permitted form, quantities and warnings for the exact material. Read operationalised botanical provisions.

Check extracts and daily exposure

Assess standardisation, active constituents and contribution across the full daily usage. A dose permitted for a powder cannot automatically be transferred to a much stronger extract. Compare purity and contaminant evidence with the applicable requirements and relevant product risks.

A current example: Ashwagandha plant parts

FSSAI’s 16 April 2026 advisory states that Ashwagandha leaves are not permitted in crude, extract or other form under the cited food provisions, and identifies the permitted root/root-extract position subject to prescribed limits. It also refers to the accompanying AYUSH instruction. This is a concrete reason to verify plant part and supplier composition rather than accept the common name alone. Read the official advisory.

Treat history of use as evidence, not permission

The operationalised provisions describe a prior-approval route for certain ingredients with a documented safe-use history. Foreign use alone does not remove that route. Where no applicable permission is established, review approval or an alternative material. Read non-specified approval.

Review claims and source changes

A permitted botanical does not authorise every traditional or therapeutic benefit statement. Keep scientific and regulatory claim assessments separate. Reopen the material review when supplier, plant part, extraction method or marker strength changes. Build the evidence file.

A worked example

Your practical checklist

Download this preparation checklist

For help applying this review to your business, explore our Ingredient Permissibility Assessment service. Bring the documents described above so the consultation can focus on the decisions still unresolved.