Exploring the connection between climate change, sustainable practices, and adulteration of botanical ingredients

Estimates from systematic reviews on botanical ingredient adulteration suggest that approximately a quarter of the alayzed bulk ingredients and finished products may be adulterated. Sudden surges in demand, rapid price increases, or supply shortages are known to go hand in hand with an increased risk of adulteration. Climate change is one factor that impacts the availability of medicinal plants as extreme weather conditions may reduce yields, produce raw materials of lower quality, and bring new pests into the growing areas. One example is saw palmetto, which grows only in the Southeastern USA. According to saw palmetto extract manufacturers, climate change has a big impact on the supply chain, as in years when the saw palmetto harvest is low, fake saw palmetto extracts are more abundant. However, data to link adulteration directly to climate change are difficult to obtain. Similarly, data on the connection between sustainable agriculatural practices and adulteration are not readily available. An evaluation of data from five publications investigating the authenticity of 76 commercial bilberry ( Vaccinium myrtillus ), broccoli ( Brassica oleracea ) sprouts, elder ( Sambucus nigra ) berry, gingko ( Ginkgo biloba ) leaf, and passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata ) herb dietary supplements and herbal medicinal products shows that 41 of 70 (59%) conventional products were adulterated, while none of the six products labeled as “certified organic”, or “made with organic” were adulterated. For essential oils, the adulteration rate of conventionally produced ingredients (n=110) was 59.1%, and 46.7% for organic oil (n=15). However, the low number of samples available does not allow to conclude that botanical dietary supplements, herbal medicines, or essential oils made with organic ingredients have a lower adulteration rate. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany