In the world of botanical extracts, silymarin has carved out a reputation as a powerhouse ingredient, celebrated for its liver-supporting properties and versatility across pharmaceuticals, supplements, and even skincare. Derived from the seeds of the milk thistle plant ( Silybum marianum ), this natural compound has become a staple in health and wellness products globally. But where does one find reliable, high-quality silymarin? Increasingly, attention is turning to Cambodia—a country whose tropical climate, fertile soil, and growing focus on sustainable botanical farming make it a hidden gem for extract production. Today, we're diving into the top 10 silymarin suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders in Cambodia, exploring what makes each stand out in a competitive market.
Why Cambodia? The Rise of a Botanical Hub
Cambodia's emergence in the botanical extract industry isn't accidental. The country's warm, humid climate and nutrient-rich soil in regions like Kampong Speu, Battambang, and Siem Reap create ideal conditions for growing milk thistle. Local farmers, many of whom have cultivated medicinal plants for generations, are increasingly adopting organic and sustainable practices, aligning with global demand for clean, ethically sourced ingredients. What's more, Cambodia's lower production costs compared to Western countries, combined with a commitment to meeting international quality standards (think GMP, ISO, and organic certifications), make its silymarin suppliers an attractive choice for businesses worldwide—whether you're a pharmaceutical company needing pharmaceutical-grade extract or a supplement brand seeking bulk botanical extracts.
Top 10 Silymarin Suppliers in Cambodia: A Closer Look
To help you navigate the Cambodian market, we've curated a list of the top 10 silymarin suppliers, based on factors like quality, reliability, production capacity, and customer feedback. Each brings something unique to the table, from cutting-edge extraction technology to a focus on traditional farming methods.
| Rank | Company Name | Location | Core Products | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambodia Silymarin Industries (CSI) | Phnom Penh | Silymarin extract (80-95% purity), milk thistle extract | Organic farms, GMP-certified, CO2 extraction |
| 2 | Green Harvest Extracts | Battambang | Bulk silymarin powder, milk thistle seed oil | Bulk supplier, ISO 9001, fast delivery |
| 3 | Milk Thistle Cambodia Co., Ltd. | Kampong Speu | Pharmaceutical-grade silymarin, standardized extracts | Pharma partnerships, third-party testing |
| 4 | Eco-Botanical Traders | Siem Reap | Organic silymarin, cosmetic-grade extracts | USDA organic, cosmetic industry focus |
| 5 | Sustainable Extracts Cambodia | Kandal | Bulk botanical extracts, silymarin capsules | Zero-waste production, supplement OEM |
| 6 | Golden Leaf Extracts | Takeo | Silymarin isolate, milk thistle tea blends | High-purity isolates, tea industry partnerships |
| 7 | Cambodia Botanical Solutions (CBS) | Phnom Penh | Silymarin for pharmaceuticals, herbal extracts | EU GMP, export-focused, R&D lab |
| 8 | Nature's Best Extracts | Preah Sihanouk | Organic silymarin powder, liquid extracts | Marine shipping access, liquid extract specialists |
| 9 | Rising Sun Botanicals | Kampong Thom | Bulk silymarin, milk thistle seeds | Farm-direct pricing, raw material supplier |
| 10 | Herbal Harvest Cambodia | Svay Rieng | Standardized silymarin extract, herbal supplements | Small-batch production, artisanal quality |
1. Cambodia Silymarin Industries (CSI) – Phnom Penh
When it comes to setting the bar for silymarin production in Cambodia, CSI is a name that consistently rises to the top. Founded in 2010, this family-owned business has grown from a modest farm operation to a vertically integrated giant, with 200 hectares of organic milk thistle farms in Kampong Speu province. What truly sets CSI apart is its hands-on approach to every step of the process: they plant the seeds, nurture the crops using organic fertilizers (no synthetic pesticides here), and extract the silymarin in their state-of-the-art facility in Phnom Penh.
Their extraction method is a game-changer: instead of traditional solvent-based techniques, they use CO2 extraction, which uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull silymarin from the seeds. This method is not only gentler on the environment (no harmful solvents left behind) but also preserves the compound's potency, resulting in extracts with silymarin purity ranging from 80% to 95%. CSI's commitment to quality has earned them GMP certification, and they're one of the few Cambodian suppliers approved to export pharmaceutical-grade silymarin to the EU and North America. Customers rave about their transparency—every batch comes with a detailed certificate of analysis (COA), and their team is happy to walk buyers through their testing process.
2. Green Harvest Extracts – Battambang
If bulk supply is your priority, Green Harvest Extracts in Battambang is a force to be reckoned with. Specializing in large-scale production, this supplier processes over 500 tons of milk thistle seeds annually, making them a go-to for supplement brands and food manufacturers needing consistent, affordable silymarin powder. What's impressive about Green Harvest is their focus on efficiency—their facility uses a combination of ethanol extraction and spray-drying technology to produce high-quality powder in record time, with lead times as short as 7 days for urgent orders.
While they don't own farms directly, they've forged long-term partnerships with 150 smallholder farmers in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces, providing training on sustainable farming practices in exchange for a guaranteed purchase price. This not only ensures a steady supply of raw materials but also supports local communities—a win-win. Green Harvest holds ISO 9001 certification, and their silymarin is tested for heavy metals and pesticides, meeting both ASEAN and FDA standards. They also offer custom blends, mixing silymarin with other botanical extracts like turmeric or ginger for clients looking to create unique supplement formulas.
3. Milk Thistle Cambodia Co., Ltd. – Kampong Speu
For pharmaceutical companies, Milk Thistle Cambodia Co., Ltd. (MTC) is a trusted partner. Located in Kampong Speu, just outside Phnom Penh, MTC specializes in pharmaceutical-grade silymarin, with a focus on meeting the strictest regulatory standards. Their facility is GMP-certified, and they've invested heavily in research and development, working with the Royal University of Phnom Penh to optimize their extraction process for maximum bioavailability.
What makes MTC stand out is their attention to detail in testing. Every batch undergoes HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysis to ensure silymarin content is precise—no guesswork here. They also offer microencapsulated silymarin, a specialized form where the extract is coated in a protective layer to improve absorption in the body, a feature that's particularly appealing to drug manufacturers. With clients in South Korea, Japan, and Australia, MTC has built a reputation for reliability, often going above and beyond to meet tight deadlines for clinical trials and product launches.
4. Eco-Botanical Traders – Siem Reap
If organic and cosmetic-grade silymarin is on your wishlist, Eco-Botanical Traders in Siem Reap should be at the top of your list. This family-run business has been growing organic milk thistle for over a decade, and their extracts are certified organic by the USDA and EU Organic, a rare achievement in Cambodia. Their farm in Angkor Thom district uses biodynamic farming methods, eschewing synthetic fertilizers in favor of compost made from local rice straw and cow manure.
Eco-Botanical's specialty is cosmetic-grade silymarin, which is prized for its antioxidant properties in skincare products. Their extract is gentle, with a light, neutral scent that blends well with other ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. They also offer cold-pressed milk thistle seed oil, rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which is a hit with natural beauty brands. What customers love most about Eco-Botanical is their commitment to sustainability—they use solar power in their extraction facility and recycle 100% of their water, making them a favorite among eco-conscious buyers.
5. Sustainable Extracts Cambodia – Kandal
Sustainable Extracts Cambodia (SEC) lives up to its name with a zero-waste production model that's as innovative as it is eco-friendly. Based in Kandal province, SEC processes milk thistle seeds into silymarin extract, then uses the leftover seed cake as animal feed for local farms and the hulls to make biochar, a natural soil amendment. This closed-loop system not only reduces waste but also lowers production costs, allowing SEC to offer competitive pricing on bulk botanical extracts.
SEC is also a go-to for supplement brands needing OEM services—they can encapsulate silymarin powder into vegetarian capsules, label them, and even help with packaging design. Their silymarin is standardized to 80% purity, making it ideal for liver support supplements, and they offer a range of dosages from 100mg to 500mg per capsule. With a focus on customer service, SEC provides free samples to new clients and offers flexible payment terms for long-term partnerships, making them a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses.
6. Golden Leaf Extracts – Takeo
Golden Leaf Extracts in Takeo province specializes in high-purity silymarin isolates, with some batches reaching 98% purity—among the highest in Cambodia. This level of concentration is achieved through a proprietary purification process that removes plant waxes and other compounds, resulting in a fine, white powder that's highly sought after by pharmaceutical and research labs. Golden Leaf also produces milk thistle tea blends, combining silymarin-rich extract with chamomile and peppermint for a soothing, liver-supporting beverage.
Their small-batch production ensures quality control, with each isolate tested for potency three times during processing. Golden Leaf has built a niche market in the tea industry, supplying blends to health food stores in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. For buyers needing ultra-pure silymarin for research or specialized formulations, Golden Leaf's isolates are a top choice, though they come at a premium compared to standard extracts.
7. Cambodia Botanical Solutions (CBS) – Phnom Penh
Cambodia Botanical Solutions (CBS) is an export-focused supplier with a global footprint. Located in Phnom Penh's Special Economic Zone, their facility is EU GMP-certified, allowing them to export pharmaceutical-grade silymarin to Europe, where regulatory standards are notoriously strict. CBS invests heavily in research and development, with an in-house lab staffed by chemists who work on optimizing extraction methods and developing new silymarin-based formulations.
One of their standout products is a water-soluble silymarin extract, which solves a common problem in the industry—traditional silymarin is poorly soluble in water, making it hard to incorporate into liquid supplements or beverages. CBS's water-soluble version opens up new possibilities for clients, from energy drinks to oral suspensions. With a focus on innovation and compliance, CBS is a favorite among large pharmaceutical companies and nutraceutical brands looking to expand into new markets.
8. Nature's Best Extracts – Preah Sihanouk
Nature's Best Extracts, based in the coastal city of Preah Sihanouk, leverages its proximity to the port to offer seamless international shipping. Specializing in liquid silymarin extracts, this supplier uses a cold maceration process that preserves the compound's natural properties, resulting in a potent, easy-to-mix liquid ideal for tinctures, syrups, and skincare serums. Their liquid extracts come in concentrations ranging from 10% to 50% silymarin, and they can customize the alcohol content to meet customer needs (from alcohol-free to 40% ethanol).
Nature's Best is also certified organic by the Soil Association, a UK-based organization known for its rigorous standards. Their milk thistle is grown in Kampot province, famous for its fertile soil and pesticide-free farming traditions. For buyers outside Cambodia, their location near the port means lower shipping costs and faster delivery times—they can ship to Singapore in 2 days and to Europe in under 2 weeks. Their customer service team speaks fluent English and French, making communication a breeze for international clients.
9. Rising Sun Botanicals – Kampong Thom
Rising Sun Botanicals is all about farm-direct pricing. Located in Kampong Thom, one of Cambodia's largest agricultural regions, this supplier works directly with 300 local farmers to source milk thistle seeds, cutting out middlemen and passing the savings on to customers. They offer both raw milk thistle seeds (for buyers who prefer to extract in-house) and standardized silymarin powder, with purity levels of 70% to 85%.
Rising Sun prides itself on transparency—they welcome clients to visit their farms and extraction facility, and they provide detailed records of each seed batch, including harvest dates and farming practices. While they don't have the fancy certifications of some larger suppliers, their low prices and commitment to fair trade make them a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers and small businesses. They also offer bulk discounts for orders over 1 ton, making them ideal for large-scale production.
10. Herbal Harvest Cambodia – Svay Rieng
Rounding out our list is Herbal Harvest Cambodia, a small-batch producer in Svay Rieng province that focuses on artisanal quality. Founded by a former herbalist, this supplier uses traditional extraction methods—soaking milk thistle seeds in organic grape alcohol for 6 weeks, then straining and evaporating the liquid to create a thick, resinous extract rich in silymarin. While this method is slower than industrial techniques, it results in a full-spectrum extract that contains other beneficial compounds from the milk thistle plant, like flavonoids and fatty acids.
Herbal Harvest's extracts are popular among holistic health practitioners and small skincare brands looking for unique, high-quality ingredients. They offer personalized service, working closely with clients to create custom extracts tailored to their needs. While their production capacity is limited (they process about 50 tons of seeds annually), their attention to detail and commitment to traditional methods have earned them a loyal following. For buyers who value craftsmanship over volume, Herbal Harvest is a hidden gem.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Silymarin Supplier in Cambodia
With so many options, selecting the right silymarin supplier can feel overwhelming. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind:
- Certifications: Look for GMP, ISO, or organic certifications to ensure quality and safety. Pharmaceutical buyers should prioritize EU GMP or FDA registration.
- Production Capacity: Bulk buyers need suppliers with large-scale facilities, while small brands may prefer small-batch producers for artisanal quality.
- Extraction Method: CO2 and cold extraction preserve potency, while ethanol extraction is cost-effective for bulk powder.
- Testing and Transparency: Reputable suppliers provide third-party COAs and are open about their farming and extraction practices.
- Customer Support: Look for suppliers with responsive communication, especially if you're based outside Cambodia.
Final Thoughts: Cambodia's Growing Role in the Global Silymarin Market
Cambodia may not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of botanical extracts, but its silymarin suppliers are quickly making a name for themselves on the global stage. With a focus on sustainability, quality, and innovation, these companies offer everything from pharmaceutical-grade isolates to artisanal liquid extracts, catering to buyers of all sizes and needs. Whether you're a large pharmaceutical company or a small natural skincare brand, there's a Cambodian silymarin supplier ready to partner with you—one that values transparency, reliability, and the power of nature.
As the demand for natural ingredients continues to grow, Cambodia's role in the silymarin market is only set to expand. So why not explore what these top suppliers have to offer? You might just find your new favorite partner in the heart of Southeast Asia.



