Top-Selling Herbal Supplements in Food, Drug, and Mass Market Retail Outlets*

(Table represents the 52 weeks ending October 13, 2002; click here for more current information)

This table lists retail sales figures for the top selling herbal supplements in mainstream outlets as reported by Information Resources, Inc., a market research firm based in Chicago, IL. Since 1998, herb sales have been decreasing in the mainstream channel of trade, defined as grocery stores, drug stores, and mass market retail stores. These statistics do not include warehouse buying clubs or convenience stores. Also, these data do not reflect sales from some of the traditional avenues of herb sales, e.g., health and natural food stores, multi-level marketing companies, direct sales via mail order (and internet), or sales via alternative or conventional healthcare practitioners. The primary reason often given for the recent decline in herb sales is negative media coverage. While some negative articles on herb quality and safety issues are warranted, often the information in the media is distorted and focuses on myths and misconceptions rather than the realities of herb regulation and the clinically documented safety and benefits of herbs when used responsibly and as directed by label information and/or the advice of a healthcare practitioner.

Some top selling herbs that are discussed in this book are not specified in this table due to their use in forms other than supplements. For example, chamomile and peppermint are top selling herbs but are for the most part, sold as teas. Additional herbs that are included in this book but not listed in this table are: chaste tree, eleuthero, ephedra, goldenseal, and horse chestnut.