So-called "plant extracts" are products made from plants as raw materials. According to the intended use of the final extracted product, they undergo physical and chemical extraction and separation processes to obtain and concentrate one or more active ingredients in the plant, forming a product without altering the structure of its active ingredients.

Plant extracts can be classified into glycosides, acids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc., according to the different components of the extracted plants; according to the different properties after extraction, they can be classified into plant oils, extracts, powders, and crystals, etc.

Today, the application range of plant extracts is very wide. In addition to their traditional use in traditional Chinese medicine products, with the increasing trust and reliance on natural products, plant extracts have been widely used in health products, food additives, cosmetics, and feed additives. In recent years, some plant extracts have gained popularity among consumers due to their unique, safe, and stable efficacy, and their attention in the cosmetics industry is also constantly rising. Plant extracts are becoming a popular type of raw material for cosmetics.

Below are ten plant extracts that are currently popular in the market and widely used, covering the fields of medicine, food, health products, and cosmetics. Their efficacy and application scenarios combine scientific basis and market recognition:

1. Artemisinin — Anti-malarial Star

Source: Leaves of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae family)

Core Efficacy: Highly effective antimalarial, works by disrupting the membrane structure of malaria parasites; the world's leading antimalarial drug.

Applications: Antimalarial drugs (such as artemether, artesunate), derivative research involves anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory applications.

Market Popularity: Backed by the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, it continues to receive global attention in the field of public health.

2. Tea Polyphenols — Natural Antioxidant

Source: Tea leaves (green tea, oolong tea, etc.)

Core Efficacy: Scavenging free radicals, anti-inflammatory, regulating blood lipids, antibacterial.

Applications: Food additives (antioxidant, preservative), health products (anti-aging, cardiovascular disease prevention), skincare products (oil control, acne treatment, anti-aging).

Data: The global tea polyphenol market size exceeded $1.2 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.5%.

3. Ginsenosides — Tonic Active Ingredients

Source: Roots of ginseng plants (Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius) in the Araliaceae family

Core Efficacy: Enhancing immunity, anti-fatigue, regulating blood sugar, neuroprotection.

Applications: Health products (ginseng extract capsules, oral liquids), functional foods (energy drinks, baked goods), high-end skincare products (anti-aging series).

Trend: Strong demand in the Asian market, increasing popularity of "adaptogen" concept products in the US and Europe.

4. Ginkgo Biloba Extract — Brain Health Guardian

Source: Ginkgo biloba leaves (Ginkgoaceae family)

Core Efficacy: Improving cerebral blood flow, antioxidant, delaying cognitive decline, used in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

Applications: Pharmaceutical preparations (such as Ginkgo biloba extract), health products (brain health supplements), cosmetics (promoting scalp blood circulation).

Market: Clear standards included in the European Pharmacopoeia, global annual sales exceeding $1 billion.

5. Curcumin — Anti-inflammatory Gold Ingredient

Source: Rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae family)

Core Efficacy: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor (auxiliary inhibition of cancer cell proliferation), improvement of metabolic syndrome.

Applications: Functional foods (such as turmeric latte, dietary supplements), skincare products (anti-inflammatory acne treatment), pet health products (joint care).

Technological Breakthrough: Nanodelivery technology solves the problem of poor water solubility, improving bioavailability by more than 30 times.

6. Soy Isoflavones — Phytoestrogens

Source: Soybean seeds (Fabaceae family)

Core Efficacy: Regulating female endocrine system (relieving menopausal symptoms), anti-osteoporosis, antioxidant.

Applications: Health products (menopausal regulation tablets), food additives (functional dairy products), beauty raw materials (anti-aging essence).

Market: Dominated by the Asian women's health market, demand growth driven by the "plant-based" trend in North America.

7. Chlorogenic Acid — Metabolic Regulation Expert

Source: Honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae family), coffee fruit (Asteraceae family)

Core Efficacy: Blood sugar lowering, lipid lowering, anti-radiation, antibacterial.

Applications: Weight-loss health products (inhibiting sugar absorption), functional beverages (such as pre-workout supplements), natural preservatives (food industry).

Hot Spot: A surge in research related to the prevention and treatment of "metabolic syndrome," coffee extract becoming a cross-border hot item.

8. Rosemary Extract — Natural Preservative

Source: Rosemary leaves (Lamiaceae family)

Core Efficacy: Strong antioxidant (superior to synthetic antioxidant BHT), antibacterial, improving memory.

Applications: Food industry (oil, meat preservation), feed additives (replacing antibiotics), skincare products (antioxidant essence).

Policy Driven: Approved by the EU as a natural food additive (E392), driving global market growth.

9. Rhodiola Rosea Extract — Anti-Hypoxia Pioneer

Source: Root of Rhodiola rosea, a plant in the Crassulaceae family

Core Efficacy: Anti-fatigue, hypoxia tolerance, immune regulation, adaptation to high-altitude environments or high-intensity exercise.

Applications: Sports nutrition supplements (enhancing endurance), health products (anti-fatigue oral liquid), functional tea drinks.

Market: Demand driven by the outdoor fitness boom, emerging category of "nootropics" in North America.

10. Centella Asiatica Extract - Skin Repair Expert

Source: Whole herb of Centella asiatica, a plant in the Apiaceae family

Core Efficacy: Promotes collagen synthesis, anti-inflammatory repair, fades scars, used to treat acne and eczema.

Applications: Skin care products (such as Murad and Kiehl's repair series), medicinal ointments (wound healing), scalp care products (anti-hair loss and hair growth).

Data: The global Centella asiatica extract market reached $420 million in 2023, with a year-on-year growth rate exceeding 8%.

Market Trends and Technological Highlights

Functional Subdivision: Shifting from "broad-spectrum health care" to precise needs (such as probiotics and plant extracts targeting gut health).

Technological Upgrades: Microencapsulation, supercritical CO₂ extraction, etc., improve stability and bioavailability.

Sustainability: Organic farming and waste utilization (such as extracting chlorogenic acid from coffee grounds) are becoming new industry benchmarks.