Botanicals have been used for health and healing for literally thousands of years through traditions such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The science of ethnobotany studies the relationship between humans and plants, and continues to confirm the value of nature’s medicinal plants. Of note, it is estimated that more than 35 percent of medicines have their origins in natural products (2019).  Herbs and botanicals often find their way into households as spices and seasonings, and many are strongly physiologically active. These plants offer that holy grail in the ingredient space of being “experiential”-and consumers want those benefits to enhance their wellbeing.
This 2-day virtual conference will examine the “roots” of botanical consumption, explore both ethnobotany and pharmacognosy, and put forward new ways of looking at botanicals in supplements and foods with a goal of mastering this reimagined market.