Top 10 Milk Thistle Extract Suppliers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Traders in United Kingdom

Founded in 2005, GreenHarvest Botanicals UK has grown from a small family-run operation to one of the UK's most trusted milk thistle extract manufacturers. What sets them apart? Vertical integration—they control every step of the process, from sourcing seeds from certified organic farms in Scotland and Germany to extracting and testing in their state-of-the-art facility in Yorkshire. This hands-on approach ensures consistency, which is why they're a go-to for pharmaceutical companies and large supplement brands alike.

Their product line includes everything from bulk milk thistle extract powder (starting at 25kg bags) to high-potency, pharmaceutical-grade extracts with silymarin concentrations up to 95%. They also offer organic options certified by the EU Organic Commission, making them popular with natural skincare brands and organic supplement lines. Their in-house testing lab runs HPLC and GC analyses on every batch, so you'll never have to guess about purity or potency.

Customers rave about their reliability—GreenHarvest prides itself on a 98% on-time delivery rate, even during peak seasons. If you're a business that values transparency, they'll even walk you through their supply chain with detailed origin reports and batch certificates. It's no wonder they've been a staple in the UK botanical extract market for nearly two decades.

For businesses that need flexibility, PureExtracts Ltd is a standout choice. Established in 2010 in Birmingham, this milk thistle extract supplier specializes in custom formulations, making them ideal for startups and brands looking to create unique products. Whether you need a water-soluble extract for beverages, an oil-based version for skincare serums, or a standardized powder for capsules, their team of formulators will work with you to tweak concentrations, particle sizes, and solubility to fit your exact specs.

One of their biggest draws is their small-batch options. Unlike many suppliers that require minimum orders of 50kg or more, PureExtracts offers batches as small as 1kg—perfect for testing new products without breaking the bank. They also hold Kosher and Halal certifications, opening doors to niche markets. Their facility is ISO 22000 certified, ensuring strict food safety standards, and they regularly audit their suppliers to maintain quality from farm to finish.

What really makes PureExtracts shine, though, is their customer service. They assign a dedicated account manager to every client, who stays in touch from initial inquiry to delivery. Past clients mention this personal touch as a key reason they keep coming back—whether you're a first-time buyer or a repeat customer, you'll never feel like just another order.

If you're in the market for bulk milk thistle extract at wholesale prices, Nature's Bounty Wholesalers has you covered. Founded in 1998, this London-based company has built its reputation on offering high-quality raw materials at competitive rates, making them a favorite among large-scale manufacturers and supplement brands. They source their milk thistle from trusted farms in Eastern Europe and process it in their GMP-certified facility in Essex, ensuring consistency across every batch.

What sets them apart is their focus on speed. With a large warehouse in the Midlands, they can ship most UK orders within 24–48 hours, which is a game-changer for businesses with tight production schedules. They also offer flexible payment terms for regular clients, including net-30 options, to help with cash flow. Their product range includes standard extracts (80% silymarin), organic variants, and even powdered extracts for easy integration into tablets and capsules.

While they don't offer custom formulations, their sheer volume means they can negotiate lower prices with farmers and pass those savings on to customers. If you're a business that prioritizes cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality, Nature's Bounty is a solid bet—just ask the dozens of UK supplement brands that have relied on them for over 25 years.

Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for Botanical Solutions Manchester—it's the core of their business. Founded in 2015 by a team of environmental scientists, this supplier is on a mission to prove that botanical extracts can be both effective and eco-friendly. They specialize in organic, sustainably sourced milk thistle extract, with certifications from the Soil Association and a commitment to carbon-neutral operations.

Their extracts are made using cold-press extraction, a gentler method that preserves more nutrients and uses 70% less energy than traditional heat-based processes. They also use 100% recyclable packaging and offset their shipping emissions through reforestation projects in the UK. For brands marketing themselves as "green" or "sustainable," this attention to detail is a major selling point—customers love seeing transparent, eco-friendly sourcing on ingredient labels.

Beyond sustainability, Botanical Solutions prides itself on traceability. They provide detailed "origin stories" for every batch, including farm locations, harvest dates, and even photos of the fields where the milk thistle was grown. This level of transparency has made them a hit with ethical skincare brands and organic supplement lines. While their prices are slightly higher than non-sustainable options, many clients say the premium is worth it for the peace of mind and marketing appeal.

When it comes to pharmaceutical-grade milk thistle extract, UK Extracts & Ingredients Co. is the gold standard. Established in 2008, this Manchester-based manufacturer focuses solely on high-purity extracts for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, with silymarin concentrations ranging from 80% to 95%. Their facility is ISO 13485 certified—a rigorous standard for medical devices and pharmaceutical ingredients—meaning they adhere to strict quality control measures that exceed basic GMP requirements.

They also have a dedicated regulatory team that stays up-to-date on changing laws in the EU, US, and beyond, helping clients navigate complex import/export regulations. Whether you need documentation for the MHRA in the UK or the FDA in the US, their team can provide the necessary certificates, test reports, and compliance paperwork to get your product to market faster. This expertise is invaluable for businesses expanding into new regions.

While they don't offer the same range of certifications as some organic-focused suppliers, their commitment to purity is unmatched. Every batch undergoes third-party testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contamination, and they publish the results on their website for full transparency. For brands that prioritize clinical efficacy and regulatory compliance, UK Extracts is worth the investment.

Herbal Harvest Traders isn't just a UK supplier—they're a global player with a focus on ethical sourcing. Founded in 2012, this London-based company works with small-scale farmers in countries like Hungary, Bulgaria, and Argentina to source high-quality milk thistle, then processes it in their GMP-certified facility in Kent. Their "Fair Trade" certification ensures farmers receive fair prices for their crops, which not only supports sustainable agriculture but also results in better-quality raw materials (happy farmers tend to grow healthier plants, after all).

They specialize in bulk exports, making them a great choice for UK brands looking to sell internationally. With partnerships in over 30 countries, they can handle the logistics of shipping large quantities to Europe, Asia, and beyond, including all necessary customs documentation. Their product line includes both conventional and organic extracts, with options for food, cosmetics, and supplements.

What really makes Herbal Harvest stand out is their commitment to education. They regularly host webinars and workshops for clients on topics like milk thistle extract benefits, formulation tips, and market trends, helping brands make informed decisions about their products. This added value has earned them a loyal following—many clients say they feel like part of the Herbal Harvest community, not just customers.

For clean beauty and skincare brands, Pristine Botanicals London is a top pick. Established in 2018, this young company has quickly made a name for itself by focusing exclusively on high-quality, cruelty-free extracts for cosmetics. Their milk thistle extract is Leaping Bunny certified—meaning no animal testing at any stage—and they avoid harsh solvents in processing, using only ethanol and water to extract silymarin. The result is a gentle, pure extract that's perfect for sensitive skin products like serums, creams, and masks.

They also offer a range of "boosted" extracts, blended with other botanicals like hyaluronic acid or vitamin E for added skincare benefits. These pre-formulated blends save brands time and money, as they don't have to source and mix multiple ingredients. Their minimum order quantities are low (starting at 500g), making them accessible to indie beauty brands and startups.

Pristine Botanicals' London showroom is another unique perk—clients can visit to test samples, meet the team, and even collaborate on new formulations in person. This hands-on experience sets them apart in an industry that often relies on email and phone calls. For brands that value creativity and clean ingredients, Pristine Botanicals is a breath of fresh air.

As the name suggests, BulkBotanicals UK is all about large-scale supply. Founded in 2003, this Leeds-based company specializes in industrial-sized orders of milk thistle extract, with minimums starting at 100kg and going up to truckloads. They work with some of the UK's biggest food and supplement manufacturers, providing the raw materials needed for everything from multivitamin tablets to energy drinks.

Their secret to handling such large volumes? Multiple warehouses across the UK, including facilities in Scotland, Wales, and the South East, which allows them to distribute orders quickly and efficiently. They also offer Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery, where they store inventory for clients and ship it as needed, reducing the need for brands to maintain large warehouses of their own. This service is a lifesaver for businesses with limited storage space.

BulkBotanicals prides itself on reliability—they've never missed a delivery in their 20-year history, even during supply chain disruptions like the 2020 pandemic. They achieve this by maintaining strong relationships with multiple suppliers and keeping backup inventory on hand. While they don't offer the same level of customization as smaller suppliers, their consistency and scale make them a cornerstone of the UK's botanical extract industry.

Wellness Extracts Ltd is for brands that want science on their side. Founded in 2014 by a team of biochemists, this Cambridge-based supplier focuses on creating evidence-backed milk thistle extracts for health supplements and functional foods. They partner with universities across the UK to fund research on silymarin's benefits, and they publish the results on their website—giving clients clinical data to back up their product claims.

Their extracts are USDA organic certified and standardized to specific silymarin isomers (like silybin A and B), which are known for their liver-protective properties. This level of specificity is a hit with brands marketing to health-conscious consumers who want to know exactly what they're putting in their bodies. They also offer "slow-release" extracts, designed to dissolve gradually in the digestive tract for longer-lasting effects.

Wellness Extracts also provides R&D support for clients developing new products. Their lab can help with stability testing, shelf-life studies, and even clinical trial design, taking the guesswork out of product development. While their prices are on the higher end, the added scientific credibility is often worth it for brands looking to position themselves as premium or clinical-grade.

Rounding out our list is EcoExtracts Scotland, a supplier with a passion for local sourcing. Based in Edinburgh, they grow their own milk thistle on a 50-acre farm in the Scottish Borders, ensuring full control over the growing process—from soil quality to harvest timing. This vertical integration not only reduces their carbon footprint (no long-distance shipping of raw materials) but also allows them to guarantee the freshness of their extracts, which are processed within 48 hours of harvest.

They use cold-press extraction to preserve heat-sensitive nutrients, resulting in a high quality milk thistle extract that's rich in antioxidants. Their facility is carbon neutral, powered by solar panels and wind turbines, and they use rainwater harvesting to reduce water waste. For brands marketing themselves as "locally made" or "eco-friendly," this story is a powerful selling point.

While their farm-grown model means they have limited capacity compared to larger suppliers, they make up for it with uniqueness. They offer seasonal extracts, with subtle variations in silymarin content based on the harvest, which appeals to artisanal brands looking for one-of-a-kind ingredients. They also host farm tours, where clients can see the milk thistle fields and extraction process firsthand—a great way to build trust and connect with the source of their ingredients.