In recent years, the demand for natural health ingredients has surged, and silymarin—derived from the seeds of milk thistle—has emerged as a star player. Celebrated for its liver-supporting properties and antioxidant benefits, silymarin has become a staple in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and even skincare products. For businesses across Kenya and East Africa, finding reliable suppliers of high-quality silymarin is crucial to meeting this demand. Whether you're a pharmaceutical manufacturer, a supplement brand, or a cosmetic formulator, the right partner can make all the difference in product quality and customer trust. In this guide, we'll explore the top 10 silymarin suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders in Kenya, helping you navigate the local market with confidence.
Why Silymarin Matters: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the suppliers, let's briefly touch on why silymarin has become so sought-after. Extracted from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), silymarin is a group of flavonoids known for their powerful hepatoprotective effects. Studies suggest it helps regenerate liver cells, reduce inflammation, and protect against toxins—making it a key ingredient in liver supplements. Beyond liver health, silymarin's antioxidant properties have also made it popular in skincare, where it's used to soothe irritation and support collagen production. As consumer interest in natural, plant-based ingredients grows, the demand for pure, high-quality silymarin continues to rise—especially in markets like Kenya, where the botanical extract industry is expanding rapidly.
What to Look for in a Silymarin Supplier
Not all silymarin suppliers are created equal. When choosing a partner, consider these key factors to ensure you're getting the best value and quality:
- Quality Certification: Look for suppliers with certifications like GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice), ISO 9001, or organic certifications if you need organic silymarin. These certifications ensure strict quality control and safety standards.
- Bulk Availability: If you're scaling production, check if the supplier can handle bulk orders. Many businesses rely on bulk botanical extracts to keep costs low and supply consistent.
- Purity Levels: Silymarin purity is measured by the concentration of its active components (like silybin). Reputable suppliers will provide lab reports (CoA, Certificate of Analysis) verifying purity—aim for 80% or higher for pharmaceutical use.
- Source Transparency: Where does the milk thistle come from? Suppliers who source locally or from trusted global partners often offer more consistent quality.
- Customer Support: A supplier that offers technical support, helps with formulations, or provides flexible MOQs (Minimum Order Quantities) can be a valuable long-term partner, especially for small businesses.
Top 10 Silymarin Suppliers in Kenya: At a Glance
| Rank | Company Name | Location | Key Products | Certifications | MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya Herbal Extracts Ltd. | Nairobi | Pharmaceutical grade silymarin extract, milk thistle extract | GMP, ISO 9001 | 10kg |
| 2 | East African Botanicals | Mombasa | Bulk silymarin, organic milk thistle extract | Organic, ISO 22000 | 5kg |
| 3 | GreenRoots Pharmaceuticals | Kisumu | High-purity silymarin (80-95%), milk thistle powder | GMP, Halal | 20kg |
| 4 | Nairobi Bulk Extracts Co. | Nairobi | Bulk botanical extracts, silymarin, milk thistle extract | ISO 13485 | 50kg |
| 5 | Coastal Health Ingredients | Mombasa | Pharmaceutical grade silymarin, imported milk thistle extract | EU Organic, Kosher | 1kg |
| 6 | Kenya Organic Botanicals | Nakuru | Organic silymarin, cold-pressed milk thistle extract | organic certified botanical extracts, Fair Trade | 5kg |
| 7 | Savanna Extract Traders | Eldoret | Wholesale silymarin, bulk milk thistle extract | ISO 9001 | 1kg (flexible) |
| 8 | African Pharma Ingredients | Nairobi | Pharmaceutical grade silymarin, CoA/MSDS provided | GMP, ISO 13485 | 25kg |
| 9 | Lake Victoria Botanicals | Kisumu | Sustainable silymarin, locally sourced milk thistle | Organic, EcoCert | 10kg |
| 10 | Kenya Supplement Solutions | Nairobi | Silymarin for supplements, formulation support | ISO 22000 | 5kg |
Detailed Profiles: Top Silymarin Suppliers in Kenya
1. Kenya Herbal Extracts Ltd. (Nairobi)
Established in 2005, Kenya Herbal Extracts Ltd. has grown to become one of the country's leading botanical extracts manufacturers, with a focus on pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. Based in Nairobi's Industrial Area, the company prides itself on state-of-the-art extraction facilities and a team of biochemists dedicated to quality control.
Specializing in silymarin and milk thistle extract, their products are widely used by pharmaceutical companies across East Africa. What sets them apart is their commitment to purity—their silymarin is standardized to 85% silybin content, making it ideal for liver supplements and prescription medications. They also offer bulk botanical extracts, with production capacities of up to 500kg per month, ensuring they can meet large-scale orders.
Certifications: GMP, ISO 9001, and compliance with Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). They regularly provide CoA and MSDS reports to clients, and their lab is equipped to test for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants. MOQ starts at 10kg, but they offer discounts for orders over 100kg. For businesses seeking reliability and pharmaceutical-grade quality, Kenya Herbal Extracts is a top choice.
2. East African Botanicals (Mombasa)
Nestled in Mombasa's port district, East African Botanicals leverages its strategic location to source premium raw materials from around the world—including milk thistle seeds from Europe and local organic farms in Kenya. Founded in 2010, this family-owned business has built a reputation for ethical sourcing and organic products, making them a favorite among natural supplement brands.
Their flagship product is organic milk thistle extract, which contains 80% silymarin. Grown without pesticides and extracted using cold-press methods to preserve nutrients, this silymarin is perfect for clean-label supplements and organic skincare lines. They also offer bulk quantities, with options for powder or liquid extracts to suit different manufacturing needs.
Certifications: EU Organic, USDA Organic, and ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management). Their MOQ is a flexible 5kg, which is great for small to medium businesses. What clients love most is their transparency—they invite buyers to visit their Mombasa facility to see the extraction process firsthand. If you're prioritizing organic, sustainably sourced silymarin, East African Botanicals delivers.
3. GreenRoots Pharmaceuticals (Kisumu)
For businesses in Western Kenya, GreenRoots Pharmaceuticals is a trusted name in high-purity silymarin. Based in Kisumu, near Lake Victoria, the company works directly with local farmers to source milk thistle, supporting the regional agricultural economy while ensuring fresh, high-quality raw materials.
GreenRoots specializes in pharmaceutical grade silymarin extract with purity levels ranging from 80% to 95%—among the highest in the country. Their extraction process uses advanced supercritical CO2 technology, which avoids harmful solvents and results in a cleaner, more potent product. This makes their silymarin ideal for injectables, capsules, and other pharmaceutical applications.
Certifications: GMP, Halal, and KEBS certified. They also offer custom formulations, helping clients blend silymarin with other ingredients like vitamin E for enhanced antioxidant effects. MOQ starts at 20kg, but they provide free samples for testing before bulk orders. With a focus on innovation and local partnerships, GreenRoots is a standout for pharmaceutical-grade needs.
4. Nairobi Bulk Extracts Co. (Nairobi)
As the name suggests, Nairobi Bulk Extracts Co. is all about scale. Founded in 2015, this large-scale manufacturer caters to businesses that need bulk botanical extracts in massive quantities—think food and beverage companies adding silymarin to energy drinks or animal feed producers incorporating it into liver-support supplements for livestock.
Their silymarin is sourced from global suppliers (primarily Germany and India) and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistency. They offer both standard (80% silybin) and high-purity (90% silybin) options, available in powder or granular form. With a production capacity of 2,000kg per month, they can handle orders that smaller suppliers can't, often at lower per-kilogram prices.
Certifications: ISO 13485 (Medical Devices) and ISO 22000 (Food Safety). MOQ is 50kg, but they offer container-load discounts for international buyers. While they don't specialize in organic products, their focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness makes them a top pick for businesses prioritizing bulk supply and affordability.
5. Coastal Health Ingredients (Mombasa)
Mombasa's status as East Africa's busiest port gives Coastal Health Ingredients a unique edge: access to global markets. Founded in 2008, this supplier imports high-quality milk thistle seeds from Europe and extracts silymarin locally, combining international standards with Kenyan production expertise.
Their product range includes pharmaceutical grade silymarin extract (85% silybin), as well as standardized milk thistle powder for supplements. What makes them popular is their flexibility—they cater to both small businesses (MOQ 1kg) and large manufacturers (up to 1,000kg per order). They also offer fast delivery, with most orders within Kenya arriving in 2-3 business days via courier.
Certifications: EU Organic, Kosher, and GMP. For clients importing or exporting, their port-side location simplifies logistics, reducing shipping times and costs. Whether you need a small batch for testing or a bulk order for production, Coastal Health Ingredients balances quality and convenience.
6. Kenya Organic Botanicals (Nakuru)
Nakuru, known for its fertile soils, is home to Kenya Organic Botanicals—a supplier dedicated to organic, sustainably sourced botanical extracts. Since 2012, they've worked with smallholder farmers in the Rift Valley to grow milk thistle without synthetic fertilizers, ensuring every batch of silymarin is truly organic.
Their cold-extraction process uses only water and ethanol, preserving the full spectrum of milk thistle's beneficial compounds. Their silymarin (75-80% purity) is popular in natural health stores and organic skincare brands, where clean, traceable ingredients are a selling point. They also offer value-added services like custom packaging and private labeling for clients looking to build their own brands.
Certifications: organic certified botanical extracts (EU, USDA), Fair Trade, and EcoCert. MOQ is 5kg, and they provide detailed soil and harvest reports to prove organic compliance. For businesses focused on sustainability and ethical sourcing, Kenya Organic Botanicals is a partner you can feel good about.
7. Savanna Extract Traders (Eldoret)
Eldoret's position as a transport hub in the Rift Valley makes Savanna Extract Traders a key link between Kenyan manufacturers and regional buyers. Founded in 2014, this wholesale and trading company doesn't produce silymarin itself but sources it from vetted botanical extracts manufacturers across Kenya, ensuring clients get the best quality at competitive prices.
They offer a wide range of silymarin products, from raw powder to standardized extracts (80-90% silybin), and work with clients to find the right match for their budget and quality needs. Their MOQ is as low as 1kg, making them ideal for startups or businesses testing new products. They also provide logistics support, helping clients ship to Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda with minimal hassle.
Certifications: ISO 9001 (Quality Management). What sets them apart is their network—if you need a specific type of silymarin (e.g., organic, high-purity), they can source it from their trusted partners. For businesses that value flexibility and access to multiple suppliers through one channel, Savanna Extract Traders is a smart choice.
8. African Pharma Ingredients (Nairobi)
African Pharma Ingredients is a niche supplier focusing exclusively on pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, and their silymarin is among the most rigorously tested in Kenya. Based in Nairobi's Upper Hill business district, they serve local and international pharmaceutical companies, including some of the biggest names in East African healthcare.
Their silymarin extract undergoes HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) testing to verify silybin content (85-90%) and is free from heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants. They also provide detailed documentation, including CoA, MSDS, and stability reports, to meet regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical registration.
Certifications: GMP, ISO 13485 (Medical Devices), and PIC/S (Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme). MOQ is 25kg, and they offer technical support to help clients navigate regulatory hurdles. For pharmaceutical manufacturers that can't compromise on quality or compliance, African Pharma Ingredients delivers peace of mind.
9. Lake Victoria Botanicals (Kisumu)
Lake Victoria Botanicals is more than a supplier—it's a champion of sustainable agriculture. Based in Kisumu, the company partners with over 200 smallholder farmers in Western Kenya to grow milk thistle using regenerative farming practices, sequestering carbon and improving soil health in the process.
Their silymarin is extracted using water-based methods, avoiding synthetic chemicals, and is standardized to 80% purity. While their focus is on sustainability, they don't skimp on quality—their products are popular in eco-friendly supplement brands and natural cosmetics lines that market "green" ingredients.
Certifications: Organic, Fair Trade, and EcoCert. MOQ is 10kg, and a portion of their profits goes back to farmer training programs. For businesses looking to align with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals, Lake Victoria Botanicals offers a silymarin option that's good for both people and the planet.
10. Kenya Supplement Solutions (Nairobi)
Rounding out our list is Kenya Supplement Solutions, a one-stop shop for supplement brands. Unlike pure manufacturers, they offer end-to-end support—from sourcing silymarin to helping clients formulate and package finished products. Whether you need a simple silymarin powder or a pre-mixed liver-support supplement, they've got you covered.
Their silymarin is sourced from trusted botanical extracts manufacturers in Kenya and India, with options for organic, pharmaceutical-grade, or bulk quantities. They also provide in-house testing to ensure compatibility with other ingredients, reducing the risk of formulation issues during production.
Certifications: ISO 22000 (Food Safety). MOQ is 5kg, and they offer fast turnaround times for custom blends. For startups or businesses without in-house R&D teams, Kenya Supplement Solutions is a valuable partner that simplifies the journey from ingredient to finished product.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Silymarin Partner
Kenya's silymarin market is diverse, with suppliers catering to every need—from pharmaceutical giants requiring 95% pure extract to small supplement brands seeking organic, low-MOQ options. The key is to clarify your priorities: Are you focused on certifications, bulk pricing, sustainability, or technical support? Once you know what matters most, the top 10 list above can guide you to the right partner.
Remember, a good supplier isn't just a vendor—they're an extension of your team. Take the time to request samples, verify certifications, and ask about their quality control processes. With the right partner, you'll not only get high-quality silymarin but also build a relationship that supports your business's growth for years to come. Here's to thriving in Kenya's booming natural ingredients market!
