In recent years, the global demand for natural health supplements has surged, and milk thistle extract has emerged as a star player, celebrated for its remarkable liver-supporting properties. Derived from the seeds of the Silybum marianum plant, this botanical extract is rich in silymarin—a powerful antioxidant that's been linked to everything from liver detoxification to skin health. As consumers increasingly prioritize clean, plant-based ingredients, the hunt for reliable milk thistle extract suppliers has never been more critical. And when it comes to sourcing high-quality botanical extracts, China stands out as a global leader, boasting advanced manufacturing facilities, strict quality control, and a vast network of experienced producers. Whether you're a supplement brand looking for bulk milk thistle extract, a cosmetic formulator seeking organic certified botanical extracts, or a food manufacturer exploring natural additives, China's suppliers offer a diverse range of options to meet your needs. In this guide, we'll introduce you to the top 10 milk thistle extract suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders in China, helping you navigate the market with confidence.
What to Look for in a Milk Thistle Extract Supplier?
Before diving into our top picks, let's break down the key factors to consider when choosing a milk thistle extract supplier. After all, not all suppliers are created equal, and the right partner can make or break the quality of your final product.
1. Quality and Purity: The most crucial factor is the purity of the extract, particularly the silymarin content. Look for suppliers that provide third-party lab reports confirming silymarin levels (typically 80% or higher for standardized extracts).
2. Certifications: Reputable suppliers will hold certifications like ISO, GMP, or organic certifications (such as USDA or EU organic) to ensure compliance with international standards.
3. Bulk Capabilities: If you're scaling production, check the supplier's ability to handle large orders. Many Chinese manufacturers specialize in bulk milk thistle extract, offering competitive pricing for high-volume purchases.
4. Production Transparency: A reliable supplier should be open about their sourcing (where they get their milk thistle seeds) and extraction processes (supercritical CO2, solvent-based, or water-based).
5. Customer Support: From sample requests to custom formulations, responsive customer service can streamline your sourcing process. Look for suppliers with dedicated account managers for international clients.
1. Quality and Purity: The most crucial factor is the purity of the extract, particularly the silymarin content. Look for suppliers that provide third-party lab reports confirming silymarin levels (typically 80% or higher for standardized extracts).
2. Certifications: Reputable suppliers will hold certifications like ISO, GMP, or organic certifications (such as USDA or EU organic) to ensure compliance with international standards.
3. Bulk Capabilities: If you're scaling production, check the supplier's ability to handle large orders. Many Chinese manufacturers specialize in bulk milk thistle extract, offering competitive pricing for high-volume purchases.
4. Production Transparency: A reliable supplier should be open about their sourcing (where they get their milk thistle seeds) and extraction processes (supercritical CO2, solvent-based, or water-based).
5. Customer Support: From sample requests to custom formulations, responsive customer service can streamline your sourcing process. Look for suppliers with dedicated account managers for international clients.
Top 10 Milk Thistle Extract Suppliers in China
| Company Name | Key Products | Certifications | Minimum Order Quantity | Main Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xi'an GreenBio Extracts Co., Ltd. | Standardized milk thistle extract (80% silymarin), organic milk thistle powder | ISO, GMP, USDA Organic | 1kg (sample), 500kg (bulk) | North America, Europe, Australia |
| Shanghai Nature's Herb Co., Ltd. | Bulk milk thistle extract, silymarin 40-80%, botanical extracts wholesale | ISO, Kosher, Halal | 100kg | Global (focus on Canada, Brazil) |
| Guangzhou Botanical Solutions | Organic certified botanical extracts, milk thistle extract for cosmetics | ECOCERT, GMP, ISO 9001 | 50kg | Europe, Southeast Asia |
| Hangzhou HealthTech Ingredients | Pharmaceutical-grade milk thistle extract, bulk powder | cGMP, FDA registered | 200kg | USA, Japan, Australia |
| Qingdao Oceanic BioExtracts | Milk thistle extract, herbal blend extracts | ISO, GMP, Organic EU | 50kg (sample), 1000kg (bulk) | Middle East, Africa, South America |
| Tianjin Herbal Essence Co., Ltd. | Standardized milk thistle extract, silymarin complex | ISO, GMP, Halal | 100kg | Domestic China, Southeast Asia |
| Chengdu Organic Harvest | Organic milk thistle extract, cold-pressed seed oil | USDA Organic, GMP | 50kg | Europe, North America |
| Nanjing BioScience Co., Ltd. | Milk thistle extract for supplements, silymarin capsules OEM | ISO, GMP, NSF | 200kg | USA, Canada, Australia |
| Shenzhen BulkExtract Traders | Botanical extracts wholesale, bulk milk thistle extract | ISO, GMP | 500kg | Global (bulk traders) |
| Beijing Natural Health Ingredients | High-purity silymarin (90%), milk thistle extract for pharmaceuticals | cGMP, FDA, EMA compliant | 100kg | Pharmaceutical companies worldwide |
1. Xi'an GreenBio Extracts Co., Ltd.
Founded in 2005, Xi'an GreenBio Extracts has grown to become one of China's most trusted milk thistle extract manufacturers, with a reputation for prioritizing organic and sustainable sourcing. Located in the heart of Shaanxi Province—a region known for its fertile soil ideal for milk thistle cultivation—GreenBio sources its raw materials directly from local farmers, ensuring freshness and traceability. What sets them apart? Their state-of-the-art extraction facility, which uses supercritical CO2 technology to preserve the integrity of silymarin, resulting in a cleaner, more potent extract.
GreenBio offers a wide range of products, including standardized milk thistle extract with silymarin content ranging from 40% to 80%, as well as organic milk thistle powder certified by USDA and EU organic standards. They cater to both small-scale buyers (with sample orders as low as 1kg) and large brands needing bulk milk thistle extract (minimum 500kg for wholesale pricing). With ISO and GMP certifications, and a dedicated quality control team that tests every batch for heavy metals and pesticides, GreenBio has built a loyal client base in North America, Europe, and Australia.
Key Highlight: Their organic line is particularly popular among cosmetic brands looking for organic certified botanical extracts to use in liver-support supplements and anti-aging skincare products.
GreenBio offers a wide range of products, including standardized milk thistle extract with silymarin content ranging from 40% to 80%, as well as organic milk thistle powder certified by USDA and EU organic standards. They cater to both small-scale buyers (with sample orders as low as 1kg) and large brands needing bulk milk thistle extract (minimum 500kg for wholesale pricing). With ISO and GMP certifications, and a dedicated quality control team that tests every batch for heavy metals and pesticides, GreenBio has built a loyal client base in North America, Europe, and Australia.
Key Highlight: Their organic line is particularly popular among cosmetic brands looking for organic certified botanical extracts to use in liver-support supplements and anti-aging skincare products.
2. Shanghai Nature's Herb Co., Ltd.
If you're in the market for botanical extracts wholesale, Shanghai Nature's Herb Co., Ltd. should be at the top of your list. Established in 1998, this veteran supplier has built a global network spanning over 50 countries, specializing in bulk quantities of high-quality milk thistle extract. Located in Shanghai's Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park, their 10,000-square-meter facility is equipped with advanced extraction and drying equipment, allowing them to produce up to 500 tons of milk thistle extract annually.
Nature's Herb prides itself on versatility, offering silymarin concentrations from 40% to 80%, as well as custom blends for specific applications (e.g., water-soluble extracts for beverages or oil-soluble versions for cosmetics). Their bulk milk thistle extract is a favorite among supplement manufacturers in Canada and Brazil, thanks to competitive pricing and reliable delivery times. The company holds ISO, Kosher, and Halal certifications, ensuring their products meet diverse cultural and regulatory requirements.
What really makes Nature's Herb stand out is their commitment to customer flexibility. They offer flexible payment terms for long-term clients and can accommodate rush orders for urgent projects. Whether you need 100kg for a small production run or 10 tons for a large-scale launch, their team works closely with buyers to tailor solutions to their needs.
Nature's Herb prides itself on versatility, offering silymarin concentrations from 40% to 80%, as well as custom blends for specific applications (e.g., water-soluble extracts for beverages or oil-soluble versions for cosmetics). Their bulk milk thistle extract is a favorite among supplement manufacturers in Canada and Brazil, thanks to competitive pricing and reliable delivery times. The company holds ISO, Kosher, and Halal certifications, ensuring their products meet diverse cultural and regulatory requirements.
What really makes Nature's Herb stand out is their commitment to customer flexibility. They offer flexible payment terms for long-term clients and can accommodate rush orders for urgent projects. Whether you need 100kg for a small production run or 10 tons for a large-scale launch, their team works closely with buyers to tailor solutions to their needs.
3. Guangzhou Botanical Solutions
For brands focused on clean beauty and natural cosmetics, Guangzhou Botanical Solutions is a game-changer. Founded in 2010, this innovative supplier specializes in organic certified botanical extracts, with a particular focus on milk thistle extract for cosmetics. Their products are designed to harness the antioxidant power of silymarin for skincare, offering benefits like reducing inflammation, protecting against UV damage, and promoting collagen production.
Located in Guangzhou's Panyu District, Botanical Solutions operates a GMP-certified facility with a dedicated R&D lab, where their team of chemists develops novel extract formulations. Their milk thistle extract is available in both powder and liquid forms, with silymarin levels optimized for cosmetic use (typically 60-80%). They also offer a range of organic options certified by ECOCERT, making them a hit with European and Southeast Asian beauty brands.
Beyond cosmetics, Botanical Solutions caters to supplement and food manufacturers, providing bulk quantities of standardized milk thistle extract. Their minimum order quantity is 50kg, which is lower than many competitors, making them accessible for small to medium-sized businesses. With a focus on sustainability, they also use eco-friendly packaging and have implemented a zero-waste policy in their production process.
Located in Guangzhou's Panyu District, Botanical Solutions operates a GMP-certified facility with a dedicated R&D lab, where their team of chemists develops novel extract formulations. Their milk thistle extract is available in both powder and liquid forms, with silymarin levels optimized for cosmetic use (typically 60-80%). They also offer a range of organic options certified by ECOCERT, making them a hit with European and Southeast Asian beauty brands.
Beyond cosmetics, Botanical Solutions caters to supplement and food manufacturers, providing bulk quantities of standardized milk thistle extract. Their minimum order quantity is 50kg, which is lower than many competitors, making them accessible for small to medium-sized businesses. With a focus on sustainability, they also use eco-friendly packaging and have implemented a zero-waste policy in their production process.
4. Hangzhou HealthTech Ingredients
When it comes to pharmaceutical-grade milk thistle extract, Hangzhou HealthTech Ingredients is a name you can trust. Founded in 2012, this supplier has carved a niche in serving the pharmaceutical industry, with products that meet the strictest global standards. Their facility in Hangzhou's Binjiang District is cGMP certified and FDA registered, ensuring compliance with regulations in the US, Europe, and Japan.
HealthTech's milk thistle extract is known for its exceptional purity, with silymarin concentrations up to 80% and minimal impurities. They use a multi-step extraction process that includes cold pressing and molecular distillation to preserve the bioactivity of silymarin, making their extracts ideal for use in prescription medications and high-end supplements. Their bulk powder is available in quantities starting from 200kg, with custom packaging options (blister packs, bottles, or drums) to suit client needs.
What sets HealthTech apart is their rigorous quality control. Every batch undergoes testing at their in-house lab and a third-party facility, with results provided to clients as part of their documentation package. This attention to detail has earned them partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies in the USA and Australia, who rely on their extracts for liver disease treatments and dietary supplements.
HealthTech's milk thistle extract is known for its exceptional purity, with silymarin concentrations up to 80% and minimal impurities. They use a multi-step extraction process that includes cold pressing and molecular distillation to preserve the bioactivity of silymarin, making their extracts ideal for use in prescription medications and high-end supplements. Their bulk powder is available in quantities starting from 200kg, with custom packaging options (blister packs, bottles, or drums) to suit client needs.
What sets HealthTech apart is their rigorous quality control. Every batch undergoes testing at their in-house lab and a third-party facility, with results provided to clients as part of their documentation package. This attention to detail has earned them partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies in the USA and Australia, who rely on their extracts for liver disease treatments and dietary supplements.
5. Qingdao Oceanic BioExtracts
Qingdao Oceanic BioExtracts may have "oceanic" in its name, but don't let that fool you—this 2015-founded company is a rising star in the milk thistle extract market. Located in Qingdao, a coastal city with easy access to international shipping, Oceanic BioExtracts specializes in exporting high-quality botanical extracts to emerging markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South America.
Their milk thistle extract line includes both conventional and organic options, with silymarin levels ranging from 40% to 80%. They also offer herbal blend extracts, combining milk thistle with other liver-supporting ingredients like dandelion and artichoke, which are popular among supplement brands looking for ready-made formulations. With ISO, GMP, and EU Organic certifications, they meet the strict standards of even the most regulated markets.
One of Oceanic BioExtracts' biggest advantages is their flexible minimum order quantities. While their bulk orders start at 1000kg, they also offer sample sizes as low as 50kg, making it easy for new brands to test their products. Their customer service team speaks fluent English, Arabic, and Spanish, ensuring smooth communication with clients worldwide. Plus, their proximity to Qingdao Port means faster shipping times and lower logistics costs compared to suppliers inland.
Their milk thistle extract line includes both conventional and organic options, with silymarin levels ranging from 40% to 80%. They also offer herbal blend extracts, combining milk thistle with other liver-supporting ingredients like dandelion and artichoke, which are popular among supplement brands looking for ready-made formulations. With ISO, GMP, and EU Organic certifications, they meet the strict standards of even the most regulated markets.
One of Oceanic BioExtracts' biggest advantages is their flexible minimum order quantities. While their bulk orders start at 1000kg, they also offer sample sizes as low as 50kg, making it easy for new brands to test their products. Their customer service team speaks fluent English, Arabic, and Spanish, ensuring smooth communication with clients worldwide. Plus, their proximity to Qingdao Port means faster shipping times and lower logistics costs compared to suppliers inland.
6. Tianjin Herbal Essence Co., Ltd.
For over 30 years, Tianjin Herbal Essence has been a cornerstone of China's botanical extract industry, and their milk thistle extract is a testament to their experience. Founded in 1992, this well-established manufacturer combines traditional herbal knowledge with modern technology to produce consistent, high-quality extracts. Located in Tianjin's Economic-Technological Development Area, their facility spans 20,000 square meters and includes a dedicated milk thistle processing line.
Herbal Essence focuses on standardized extracts, with their flagship product being a milk thistle extract standardized to 80% silymarin. They also offer a unique silymarin complex, which includes other beneficial compounds found in milk thistle seeds, enhancing the extract's overall efficacy. Their products are popular among domestic Chinese supplement brands, as well as international buyers in Southeast Asia.
With certifications including ISO, GMP, and Halal, Herbal Essence ensures their extracts are suitable for a wide range of applications, from dietary supplements to functional foods. They also offer private labeling services, making it easy for small brands to launch their own milk thistle products without investing in manufacturing infrastructure. Their team of herbalists and food scientists is available to provide technical support, helping clients navigate formulation challenges and regulatory requirements.
Herbal Essence focuses on standardized extracts, with their flagship product being a milk thistle extract standardized to 80% silymarin. They also offer a unique silymarin complex, which includes other beneficial compounds found in milk thistle seeds, enhancing the extract's overall efficacy. Their products are popular among domestic Chinese supplement brands, as well as international buyers in Southeast Asia.
With certifications including ISO, GMP, and Halal, Herbal Essence ensures their extracts are suitable for a wide range of applications, from dietary supplements to functional foods. They also offer private labeling services, making it easy for small brands to launch their own milk thistle products without investing in manufacturing infrastructure. Their team of herbalists and food scientists is available to provide technical support, helping clients navigate formulation challenges and regulatory requirements.
7. Chengdu Organic Harvest
As the name suggests, Chengdu Organic Harvest is all about organic excellence. Founded in 2012, this supplier has made a name for itself by focusing exclusively on organic botanical extracts, with milk thistle being their crown jewel. Located in Chengdu, Sichuan Province—home to some of China's most fertile farmland—Organic Harvest works directly with local farmers to grow milk thistle without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, ensuring a truly organic product from seed to extract.
Their milk thistle extract is certified by USDA Organic and EU Organic, with silymarin levels ranging from 40% to 80%. They also produce cold-pressed milk thistle seed oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids and used in both supplements and skincare products. What makes Organic Harvest unique is their commitment to sustainability: they use solar power in their facility, recycle water from the extraction process, and compost waste materials to minimize their environmental footprint.
While their prices are slightly higher than conventional suppliers, the quality of their organic certified botanical extracts justifies the investment for brands targeting eco-conscious consumers. They primarily supply to Europe and North America, where demand for organic supplements is strongest, and offer small minimum order quantities (50kg) to support emerging brands.
Their milk thistle extract is certified by USDA Organic and EU Organic, with silymarin levels ranging from 40% to 80%. They also produce cold-pressed milk thistle seed oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids and used in both supplements and skincare products. What makes Organic Harvest unique is their commitment to sustainability: they use solar power in their facility, recycle water from the extraction process, and compost waste materials to minimize their environmental footprint.
While their prices are slightly higher than conventional suppliers, the quality of their organic certified botanical extracts justifies the investment for brands targeting eco-conscious consumers. They primarily supply to Europe and North America, where demand for organic supplements is strongest, and offer small minimum order quantities (50kg) to support emerging brands.
8. Nanjing BioScience Co., Ltd.
Nanjing BioScience is a one-stop shop for brands looking to launch milk thistle supplements, offering everything from raw extract to finished capsules. Founded in 2008, this innovative manufacturer combines extract production with OEM/ODM services, making it easy for clients to bring their products to market quickly. Their facility in Nanjing's Jiangning Development Zone is equipped with a full production line, including encapsulation, tableting, and packaging equipment.
BioScience's milk thistle extract is available in bulk powder (silymarin 40-80%) and as finished supplements, including capsules, tablets, and softgels. They also offer custom formulations, such as milk thistle extract combined with vitamins (like B-complex) or other herbs (like turmeric). With ISO, GMP, and NSF certifications, their products meet the strict standards of the US and Canadian supplement markets, where they've built a strong presence.
What clients love about BioScience is their turnkey approach. From helping design labels to navigating FDA or Health Canada regulations, their team of experts guides clients through every step of the process. This makes them an ideal partner for new brands or established companies looking to expand their product lines without the hassle of managing multiple suppliers.
BioScience's milk thistle extract is available in bulk powder (silymarin 40-80%) and as finished supplements, including capsules, tablets, and softgels. They also offer custom formulations, such as milk thistle extract combined with vitamins (like B-complex) or other herbs (like turmeric). With ISO, GMP, and NSF certifications, their products meet the strict standards of the US and Canadian supplement markets, where they've built a strong presence.
What clients love about BioScience is their turnkey approach. From helping design labels to navigating FDA or Health Canada regulations, their team of experts guides clients through every step of the process. This makes them an ideal partner for new brands or established companies looking to expand their product lines without the hassle of managing multiple suppliers.
9. Shenzhen BulkExtract Traders
As the name implies, Shenzhen BulkExtract Traders is all about scale. Founded in 2015, this dynamic supplier has quickly made a name for itself in the botanical extracts wholesale market, specializing in large-volume orders of milk thistle extract. Located in Shenzhen—a global logistics hub—BulkExtract has built strong relationships with shipping companies, allowing them to offer competitive rates and fast delivery to clients worldwide.
Their focus is on efficiency and affordability, with bulk milk thistle extract prices that are hard to beat. They source raw materials from trusted farms in Inner Mongolia and Gansu Province, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality milk thistle seeds. Their extraction facility uses solvent-based extraction (with food-grade ethanol) to produce extracts with silymarin levels of 40-80%, and they can process up to 2000kg of extract per day.
While BulkExtract primarily caters to large buyers (minimum order quantity of 500kg), they also work with traders and distributors who purchase in bulk and resell to smaller clients. Their ISO and GMP certifications ensure consistent quality, and they provide detailed COA (Certificate of Analysis) for every batch. If you're a large-scale manufacturer or a trader looking to stock up on milk thistle extract, BulkExtract Traders offers the volume and pricing to meet your needs.
Their focus is on efficiency and affordability, with bulk milk thistle extract prices that are hard to beat. They source raw materials from trusted farms in Inner Mongolia and Gansu Province, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality milk thistle seeds. Their extraction facility uses solvent-based extraction (with food-grade ethanol) to produce extracts with silymarin levels of 40-80%, and they can process up to 2000kg of extract per day.
While BulkExtract primarily caters to large buyers (minimum order quantity of 500kg), they also work with traders and distributors who purchase in bulk and resell to smaller clients. Their ISO and GMP certifications ensure consistent quality, and they provide detailed COA (Certificate of Analysis) for every batch. If you're a large-scale manufacturer or a trader looking to stock up on milk thistle extract, BulkExtract Traders offers the volume and pricing to meet your needs.
10. Beijing Natural Health Ingredients
Rounding out our list is Beijing Natural Health Ingredients, a supplier that caters to the pharmaceutical industry with ultra-high-purity milk thistle extract. Founded in 2003, this specialized manufacturer focuses on producing pharmaceutical-grade silymarin, with concentrations up to 90%, making it suitable for use in prescription medications and clinical trials.
Located in Beijing's Haidian District, their facility is cGMP certified and compliant with both FDA and EMA (European Medicines Agency) regulations. They use advanced purification techniques, including column chromatography, to achieve exceptional purity, and every batch undergoes rigorous testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination. Their high-purity silymarin is supplied to pharmaceutical companies worldwide, who use it in liver disease treatments and research studies.
While their minimum order quantities are higher (100kg), Beijing Natural Health Ingredients offers unparalleled quality for clients with strict pharmaceutical requirements. Their team includes PhD-level scientists who can provide technical support and assist with regulatory filings, making them a trusted partner for the most demanding projects. If you're in the pharmaceutical or research sector, this supplier is worth considering for their expertise and commitment to excellence.
Located in Beijing's Haidian District, their facility is cGMP certified and compliant with both FDA and EMA (European Medicines Agency) regulations. They use advanced purification techniques, including column chromatography, to achieve exceptional purity, and every batch undergoes rigorous testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination. Their high-purity silymarin is supplied to pharmaceutical companies worldwide, who use it in liver disease treatments and research studies.
While their minimum order quantities are higher (100kg), Beijing Natural Health Ingredients offers unparalleled quality for clients with strict pharmaceutical requirements. Their team includes PhD-level scientists who can provide technical support and assist with regulatory filings, making them a trusted partner for the most demanding projects. If you're in the pharmaceutical or research sector, this supplier is worth considering for their expertise and commitment to excellence.
Choosing the right milk thistle extract supplier is a critical decision that impacts the quality, safety, and success of your final product. Whether you're looking for bulk milk thistle extract for supplements, organic certified botanical extracts for cosmetics, or pharmaceutical-grade silymarin for medications, China's top suppliers offer a wealth of options to meet your needs. From Xi'an GreenBio's organic focus to Beijing Natural Health Ingredients' pharmaceutical-grade purity, each of the companies on this list brings unique strengths to the table. By prioritizing factors like certifications, production transparency, and customer support, you can find a partner that aligns with your brand's values and goals. As the global demand for natural botanical extracts continues to grow, China's suppliers are poised to remain at the forefront, offering innovation, quality, and value to buyers worldwide.
