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Archive December 2025

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AHPA updates eight entries to the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd Ed.

December 29, 2025

New updates include top-selling herbs such as garlic, maca, milk thistle, and senna


The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) announces updates to nine botanicals via the online Botanical Safety Handbook 2nd ed. in the December 2025 release of revised entries. For this year, 17 entries in the online Botanical Safety Handbook have been updated, and one has been added. Since 2018 when revisions to the online Botanical Safety Handbook were initiated, 183 entries have been updated, and 10 new entries have been added.
 
The following online entries have been updated in this release:

  • Allium sativum (garlic) - A literature review identified drug interactions studies and case reports, clinical trials with adverse event reporting, adverse event case reports, pharmacological studies, reproductive studies and toxicity assays.

  • Apium graveolens (celery – leaf, stalk, and root) - This new entry documents food use, adverse event reports, pharmacology studies, and toxicity studies for celery leaf, leaf stalk, and root parts.

  • Ceratonia siliqua (carob) - A literature review added a Food Use section, as well as studies in the pharmacology and toxicity sections.

  • Epimedium spp. (horny goat weed) - A review of new literature identified adverse event reports, animal and in vitro pharmacology studies, and toxicity studies.

  • Lepidium meyenii (maca) - A review added a food use section, clinical trials with adverse event reporting, pharmacology, pregnancy, and toxicity studies.

  • Pausinystalia johimbe (yohimbe) - A literature review identified interactions studies, clinical trials reporting adverse events, case reports of adverse events, pharmacology and toxicity studies.

  • Salvia spp. (chia) - A updated review added information about acrylamide content in roasted chia seeds, as well as a Food Use section, adverse event reporting in clinical trials, and pharmacology studies.

  • Silybum marianum (milk thistle) - A review of recent literature added studies in the interactions, adverse events, pharmacology and toxicity categories.

 
Beginning with 2026 membership renewals, AHPA members will have access to the online Botanical Safety Handbook as part of the digital resource library being made available as a benefit of AHPA membership. For non-members, information about subscriptions and hard copy purchases can be found on the AHPA website.
 
Subscribers to the online Botanical Safety Handbook can review short descriptions of updated entries in the "Revisions" panel on the online version homepage when they log in. The online Botanical Safety Handbook is undergoing review of existing entries and the addition of new entries to provide the latest safety information before it can be included in the next print edition of the handbook. AHPA continues to post additional updates to existing entries as well as develop new botanical entries.
 
AHPA's Botanical Safety Handbook is an essential tool for anyone who manufactures, recommends, or uses herbal products. The handbook provides safety information on over 500 species of herbs, derived from data compiled from clinical trials, pharmacological and toxicological studies, medical case reports, and historical texts. All entries are reviewed by an Expert Advisory Council that includes some of the most renowned herbal and integrative medicine experts in the United States.

Happy Holidays from AHPA (and a look at 2025 Wrapped)

December 23, 2025


A Message from AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby
 

Dear AHPA members and friends:

As we approach the end of a year defined by both profound change and meaningful growth, I find myself reflecting on the enduring legacy of AHPA’s late, longtime President Michael McGuffin. I have shared before that I think of Michael’s impact on the herbal products industry as a garden — one he carefully cultivated over decades of service and generously invited all of us to help grow. As we look toward the new year, the AHPA team and I remain committed to tending to this garden to ensure that responsible commerce, sound policy, and consumer access can flourish.

There was no shortage of challenges in 2025 but there were also real and important successes. This year reinforced a truth that has long defined AHPA: our greatest strength lies in our collective efforts. Our recent progress in securing immediate relief through FDA enforcement discretion from the challenges surrounding DSHEA disclaimer label placement is a clear example of what’s possible when our industry speaks with one voice. By standing with our colleagues at CHPA, CRN, NPA, and UNPA, we demonstrated the power of coalition building and the importance of collaboration in driving meaningful regulatory reform.

The same was true as AHPA helped build and lead coalitions to address the sweeping tariff impacts felt across the herbal products industry this year. In April, herbal products were subject to widespread tariffs with virtually no exemptions. Through sustained engagement and partnership with ASTA, USTA, NCA, CMAA, and CCA, we end the year in a far stronger position with dozens of botanicals now fully exempt from reciprocal tariffs. That progress matters, and it happened because of shared resolve and coordinated advocacy.

Whether we are advocating for tariff relief on "unavailable natural resources," navigating evolving FDA policy, or preparing for what lies ahead, AHPA’s work is rooted in the spirit of partnership. We will continue to build coalitions and strengthen relationships to help amplify our collective impact to secure additional wins for our growing industry.

We have much to celebrate, from our growing membership to deeper engagement with policymakers in Washington, D.C. Yet, as we move into 2026 — a pivotal year for tariffs, AI, hemp, broader regulatory reform, and more — our work is far from finished. AHPA will remain dedicated in its mission to advocate for you and for the responsible herbal products industry we all care deeply about.

Thank you for your continued support and your shared commitment to ensuring our families, friends, and neighbors everywhere have access to safe, high-quality herbal products and dietary supplements. Together, we are securing a bright future for our industry and ensuring Michael’s garden thrives for generations to come.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a healthy, prosperous New Year.

With gratitude,
Graham
 
 

Amazon expanding TIC cGMP requirement to all dietary supplements, offers new Compliance Fast-Track option for many

December 18, 2025

Amazon has informed the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) that the retailer has begun a new phased rollout: all dietary supplement sellers on the platform must use a third-party testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) entity to demonstrate that their product is manufactured in a facility compliant with applicable cGMP regulations.

Notably and unlike some limited past exceptions, this certification/audit must be based on an audit by an accredited third party. Amazon will perform outreach to covered companies during this phased rollout; contacted companies will have 90 days to initiate a documentation request with a TIC. In some cases, Amazon is able to confirm cGMP compliance from third parties or public databases; in these cases, outreach may not be necessary.

The above cGMP requirement is in addition to and separate from existing requirements for product testing for dietary supplements in certain categories, including sexual enhancement, weight management, bodybuilding, sports nutrition, and joint health products.

Details of this policy are available from the Amazon seller central page for dietary supplements.

Amazon has separately begun the rollout of their Compliance Fast-Track program to some dietary supplement products. This program, which has been used for other products on the platform previously, allows Amazon to collect all required cert materials directly from a partner certifying organization. As such, companies using Compliance Fast-Track for covered products no longer need to provide any information to Amazon directly. At this time Amazon has implemented dietary supplement Compliance Fast-Track with the following partner organizations: BSCG, Clean Label Project, GRMA, INFORMED, NSF, and USP. 

The specific scope of coverage and compliance requirements is handled by the partner organization. As the program expansion to dietary supplements is recent and some elements are in flux, interested companies are encouraged to learn more about any applicable limitations or requirements from participating partner organizations. Additional information on Compliance Fast-Track and links to participating partner organizations are available from the general Compliance Fast-Track seller central page.

It is AHPA's understanding that at this time, Compliance Fast-Track does not currently encompass the separately imposed, category-specific product testing requirements described above, but this situation is developing and may change. AHPA will continue its engagement with Amazon on this and other topics of concern to the dietary supplements community; members with questions or issues are encouraged to contact Robert Marriott, AHPA VP of Government & Regulatory Affairs, at rmarriott@ahpa.org.

Options for strategic tariff litigation to limit refund uncertainty

December 18, 2025

Ongoing Supreme Court litigation regarding the legality of currently effective tariffs under IEEPA has raised a number of novel questions, both regarding the ability of the administration to issue tariffs, and how refunds will be delivered if the court finds that the administration's tariffs were not lawful. The amount of tariff funds in question, and the complexity of the resulting refund, would be unprecedented. During oral arguments, Justice Barrett referred to the potential relief process as "a complete mess."
 
Among the uncertainties raised by this part of the case, some commentators (including lower court decisions) have raised the possibility that the scope of relief would be limited. One possibility is that refunds may not be available for product lot entries that have "liquidated," finalizing the computation of tariffs and associated in-process administrative appeals following border entry. While importing firms also have the option to protest or file suit after liquidation, it is possible that such post-liquidation actions will not preserve access to tariff refunds. 
 
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has learned that the law firm of Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt, LLP (GDLSK) is offering to file protective cases in the U.S. Court of International Trade to enjoin U.S. Customs from completing liquidation of entries. Such court filings are intended to maintain the lots in liquidation until the Supreme Court outcome and refund method is determined. 
 
Based on a meeting with the firm, AHPA understands that the cost for filing such a case is $10,400 in total. Such strategic litigation provides protection only for products which have not already completed liquidation, and solely addresses one potential source of risk. As such, this legal option should be understood as an option to "insure" against this source of risk. AHPA understands that this particular legal option is also being shared and used among other affected trade sectors, and is sharing it with AHPA members for information purposes. This Update does not constitute an endorsement of this firm or option; numerous other firms are conducting the same or alternate forms of litigation to mitigate the same or other forms of risk associated with the ongoing tariff litigation. 

Members interested in making use of this option should email Harold Grunfeld at hgrunfeld@gdlsk.com or use this link to contact a GDLSK attorney for further information. Remittance of payment and completion of a survey with basic company information will be required to initiate litigation.
 
In addition to GDLSK, AHPA has learned the firm of Crowell & Moring, LLP has similar expertise in trade law and is performing a similar service: AHPA understands this service is a similar cost (approximately $10,000) for a similarly positioned filing. The key contact at Crowell is Maria Vanikiotis, who can be reached at mvanikiotis@crowell.com.  

FDA signals intent to amend DSHEA disclaimer requirements in AHPA-advocated win for industry

December 11, 2025

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) applauds a major step toward sensible regulatory reform outlined in a letter released today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the dietary supplement industry. The letter signals the agency's intent to amend the labeling regulation that currently requires the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) disclaimer to appear on every panel of a dietary supplement product label where structure/function claims appear.

This significant action comes directly in response to sustained advocacy from AHPA dating back to and continuing since 2021. AHPA and others have argued that the existing “every panel” requirement (found in 21 C.F.R. § 101.93(d)) is overly prescriptive and exceeds the demands of DSHEA. AHPA has long advocated for FDA to update the regulation to reflect historical industry practice: prominently displaying the disclaimer once on the product label or labeling, not necessarily on every panel, and connecting each claim to the disclaimer via symbols (e.g., asterisks). The contemplated revision would also accord the technical requirements of the regulation with FDA’s historical enforcement approach; as conceded in the letter, and consistent with AHPA’s analysis of agency documents, FDA has “rarely, if ever, enforced this requirement.”

"This news is a major win for the dietary supplement industry," said AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby. "AHPA has long led the charge for this sensible regulatory reform, and we thank FDA for taking action on an unenforced provision that has fueled opportunistic litigation. This is a strong, positive signal of the agency’s commitment to modernizing regulations, and AHPA looks forward to continued engagement in shaping a rational and modern regulatory environment for this vital category of products.”

Recognizing that formally amending the regulation through the rulemaking process will take time, FDA also stated that the agency will exercise enforcement discretion regarding the “every panel” DSHEA disclaimer requirement, providing immediate relief to industry from this unnecessary burden.

New botanical species added to CITES Appendix II during 20th Conference of the Parties meeting

December 10, 2025

A close-up of a plantAI-generated content may be incorrect.

Commiphora wightii (Source: Vinayaraj, Creative Commons)
 

The 20th meeting of the CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP20) was recently conducted in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, November 24 – December 5, 2025. Of interest to American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) members are several agenda items related to botanical species that are used in dietary supplements and other natural products. One of these proposals has resulted in a new botanical species being accepted for addition to CITES controls for international trade.

Commiphora wightii
A proposal to list Commiphora wightii (synonym: Commiphora mukul; standard common name: guggul) in CITES Appendix II was accepted by the Parties. While the listing proposal was initially rejected at a committee review, debate was reopened at the final plenary session, and the listing proposal was ultimately adopted. The listing will include the following annotation:
 

“Extracts (including gums, resins, and essential oils) and powder, except the following finished products packaged and ready for retail trade: finished tablets, capsules, pills, perfumes, cosmetics, solutions, emulsions, or suspensions (such as infused oils, hydrolates, and tinctures), and manufactured incense products (such as incense sticks and incense cones).”
 

This new listing for Commiphora wightii will become effective 90 days from the date of adoption on December 5, 2025.

Panax quinquefolius
A proposal related to the existing CITES Appendix II listing of Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng) was also on the agenda as brought forth by the U.S. delegation. The proposal sought to amend the current annotation for the American ginseng listing by exempting “finished products packaged and ready for retail trade of roots sliced 1-3 mm thick derived from artificially propagated plants of Panax quinquefolius.”

During its pre-CoP20 review, the CITES Secretariat indicated support for the Panax quinquefolius proposal and provided suggested edits. Canada, which is a range state for this botanical, and several other countries were not supportive of the proposal during committee discussion, noting that the proposed exemption may make it challenging to monitor and enforce trade due to the difficulty in distinguishing between sliced roots that have been cultivated versus taken from the wild. The proposal was not accepted.

Boswellia
While not proposed for listing in the CITES Appendices at CoP20, a set of recommendations on Boswellia trees (Boswellia spp.) was on the CoP20 agenda, as developed by the CITES Plants Committee at its last meeting in July 2024. As this is a non-CITES listed species, continued efforts to assess Boswellia species for potential listing may result in an international meeting to be organized by the relevant range states, rather than the CITES Secretariat. This activity will likely be discussed at the next CITES Plants Committee meeting, expected in 2026.

AHPA has periodically consulted with several AHPA members involved in the international trade of Boswellia serrata materials, and has issued a sustainable harvest brochure for this species.

About the Conference of the Parties
The CITES Conference of the Parties occurs approximately every three years for the purpose of allowing Parties to the CITES Convention to review the implementation of the Convention through the following activities:

  • Consider (and where appropriate adopt) proposals to amend the lists of species in Appendices I and II;

  • Review progress in the conservation of species included in the CITES Appendices;

  • Consider discussion documents and reports from the Parties, the permanent committees, the Secretariat and working groups;

  • Recommend measures to improve the effectiveness of the Convention; and

  • Make provisions (including the adoption of a budget) necessary to allow the Secretariat to function effectively.


More information about the CITES Cop20 meeting is available on the CITES website and in AHPA’s Primer on Importing and Exporting CITES Listed Species.

AHPA publishes good stewardship harvesting brochure for yerba mansa

December 4, 2025

AHPA publishes good stewardship harvesting brochure for yerba mansa
 

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has released a new brochure highlighting good stewardship harvesting practices for yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica), an herbaceous perennial native to the American Southwest and parts of Mexico, traded for the medicinal properties of its roots. Produced as part of AHPA’s ongoing educational efforts for the herbal community, the brochure is available for free download on the AHPA website.
 
“In a time of intensifying habitat degradation and loss, yerba mansa faces critical threats. This legendary medicinal plant needs voices like the American Herbal Products Association’s good stewardship harvesting brochure that provide essential education on sustainable harvest practices, advocating for its ability to thrive as part of our ecological systems and cultural practices,” said Dara Saville, Founder and Director of the Yerba Mansa Project, and author of The Ecology of Herbal Medicine.
 
“The AHPA good stewardship harvesting of yerba mansa brochure invites those who work with this desert riparian botanical ally into a shared practice of care,” added Lauren Nichols-Sheffler, Senior Sourcing & Purchasing Manager for WishGarden Herbs. “As interest in mansa continues to grow, these guidelines support ethical harvest, help protect fragile wetland habitat, and honor the cultural and ecological relationships that sustain this plant. By approaching each stand with respect and reciprocity, we help ensure mansa remains resilient and abundant for generations to come.” 
 
AHPA Project Scientist Holly Chittum led the brochure’s development in collaboration with Lauren Nichols-Sheffler (WishGarden Herbs, Sustainable Herbs Initiative) and Dara Saville (The Yerba Mansa Project, author of The Ecology of Herbal Medicine), Nate Brennan (Foster Farm Botanicals), and Steven Yeager (Mountain Rose Herbs).
 
AHPA has previously published good stewardship harvesting brochures for American ginseng, black cohosh, goldenseal, oshá, saw palmetto, and Boswellia.

2026 AHPA Board of Trustees Call for Candidates

December 3, 2025

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is issuing its annual call for candidates for elected trustees to the association's Board of Trustees (BOT). AHPA's bylaws and election policies govern this nomination process and election.

"Having previously served on AHPA’s Board of Trustees for over 10 years myself, I can personally attest to how rewarding and invaluable the experience is,” said AHPA President & CEO Graham Rigby. “Trustees play an important and active role in advising AHPA's staff and helping to steer the organization's mission forward. I strongly encourage all eligible companies to nominate a representative for this opportunity to help shape the future of the herbal products industry."

About the Board

The AHPA BOT is composed of several categories of trustees to ensure comprehensive representation:
 

  • Elected Trustees: The number of seats on the AHPA BOT consists of a minimum of 22. For the 2026 election, there are 14 board seats up for election. All Active Members in good standing are eligible to run for an available elected seat.

  • Small business seats: Two elected seats are reserved for "small business members," defined as Active Members with $5 million or less in annual herbal revenues.

  • Assigned Trustees: A maximum of two seats are assigned at the discretion of the AHPA Board of Trustees to fill perceived gaps in representation of all segments of the membership.

The AHPA BOT is further comprised of Appointed Trustees and Tenured Trustees.

Trustee Commitment

Elected trustees serve a 3-year term. Assigned trustees serve a 1-year term and can be reassigned for another term at the discretion of the BOT or run for an elected seat during a future election cycle.

The AHPA BOT meets three times each year (including in-person at Natural Products Expo West and the AHPA Botanical Congress), and trustees are expected to attend all meetings. In addition, trustees are expected to participate actively in the ongoing functions of the organization.

While trustees receive no remuneration for their services, the benefits to the companies represented, and to the industry as a whole, are well recognized.

Nomination Process

A candidate must be officially nominated in writing by submitting a completed Intent to Stand for Election Form and Candidate's Statement by no later than Friday, January 30, 2026.

A candidate for AHPA's Board of Trustees may be an owner, employee, consultant, or other designated representative of the company wishing to be represented on the board. All Active Members in good standing are qualified and encouraged to nominate a candidate.

Voting & Election

After the call for candidates period closes, the voting period will open on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, with the distribution of electronic ballots to all Active Member companies in good standing and eligible to vote.

Absentee votes will be accepted until Friday, February 27, 2026, before in-person voting takes place during AHPA's Annual Member Meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Expo West in Anaheim, CA.

Candidates will be invited to give brief remarks in-person or record a short video address in advance that will be played for the membership before in-person voting closes. In-person votes will then be counted and added to absentee voting results, with newly elected trustees to be announced at the member meeting before it concludes.

For questions about the election or the nomination process, please contact Melissa Do at mdo@ahpa.org.

Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund raises $175K with matching challenge

December 2, 2025

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to share significant progress with the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund, which has reached $175,000 in donations since the launch of the Vitality Works matching challenge. On this Giving Tuesday, AHPA invites individuals and businesses to honor the legacy of herbal champion and longtime AHPA President Michael McGuffin by contributing to the fund and taking advantage of the remaining matching funds to double their impact.

The Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund was established to honor McGuffin’s dedication to the herbal community and will provide lasting financial support for critical AHPA initiatives, including advocacy, education, and research benefiting the herbal products industry. The fund is operated and managed by the AHPA ERB Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization  founded by McGuffin in 1997 and dedicated to advancing botanical education and research.

Mitch Coven, founder of Vitality Works and longtime AHPA member and trustee, generously pledged $100,000 in matching funds through the Vitality Works Endowment Fund. With $175,000 raised so far, Vitality Works is still matching donations to the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund — up to $100,000 total — through March 31, 2026, to accelerate the fund’s growth toward its $1 million goal.

“We are thrilled by the initial response to the endowment fund and the matching challenge,” said Graham Rigby, President & CEO of AHPA and the AHPA ERB Foundation. “The funds we’ve raised so far demonstrate the depth of respect and gratitude the industry and herbal community has for Michael. This Giving Tuesday, we invite all who were inspired by Michael’s life and work to support his legacy and the future of herbs and the herbal products industry through donations to the endowment fund or the AHPA ERB Foundation.”

All donors to the Michael McGuffin Endowment Fund are recognized on the AHPA website for their support. In addition, donors who contribute $1,000 or more before March 31, 2026, are inducted into the Founders' Circle — a special honor that acknowledges those who have made a timely and substantial commitment to the fund and its mission.

To honor Michael McGuffin’s legacy and double your impact this Giving Tuesday, please make your tax-deductible donation today.

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