With herbal supplements, what is the difference between root powder and root extract? Does it matter?

Latest Update

Liquid vs. Powdered Herbs?

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated November 07, 2022 ⓘ

Answer:

When selecting an herbal supplement, you should be guided by clinical studies showing a benefit using a particular type of plant preparation. Things you need to be clear about are 1) the name of the plant and its species, 2) the part of the plant, e.g., the root, leaf, flower or bark, and 3) whether the product was made of the whole plant part (such as root powder, which is dried root made into a powder), or just key compounds extracted from that part of the plant (i.e., a root "extract") which are typically provided as a dried powder or liquid.

In most cases, you will be looking for an extract, in which case you will also need to know the concentration or percentage (%) of specific compound(s) to which the extract should be "standardized" since there are many types and concentrations of extracts. Supplements made of whole plant plants, like root powder, are typically not standardized like extracts.

The "ConsumerTips" section of every Product Review on ConsumerLab.com, including those below, provides this information, as well as other information about dosage, how and when to take the supplement, potential side effects, and interactions with drugs and other supplements. Of course, you'll also see whether ConsumerLab.com testing found products from popular brands of supplements to contain the listed ingredient(s) and meet additional criteria of product quality.

Here's a quick summary of popular herbal supplements, showing the type of preparation typically used:

Herbal Supplement	Form Commonly Used Clinically
Aloe	Gel from inner portion of leaf or purified juice from whole leaf
Ashwagandha	Root powder or root extract
Bilberry	Berry extract
Black Cohosh	Root (rhizome) extract
Black Currant, Borage, Evening Primrose, Flax	Seed oil
Boswellia	Extract of gum resin
CBD (cannabidiol)	Extract of flowers, stems and leaves
Cinnamon	Extract of bark or bark powder
Cranberry	Fruit powder
Echinacea	Extract of aerial (above ground) parts
Elderberry	Fruit powder or extract
Garcinia	Extract of fruit rind
Garlic	Bulb powder or extract
Ginkgo	Leaf extract
Ginseng (Asian and American)	Root powder or extract
Green Coffee Bean	Bean extract
Green Tea	Leaf extract
Maca	Root (rhizome) powder
Milk Thistle	Seed extract
Olive Leaf	Extract of leaf
Rhodiola	Root powder or extract
Saw Palmetto	Berry extract or powder
St. John's Wort	Extract of aerial (above ground) parts
Turmeric (curcumin)	Root (rhizome) powder or extract
Valerian	Root extract or powder

Whether you prefer an herbal extract in liquid or powder form may depend on factors such as ease of swallowing and ability to adjust the dose (see our article about the pros and cons of liquid vs. other types of supplements).

If you are interested in fungi-based supplements, such as reishi or lions' mane, be aware that these can be made from the fruiting body (the part the grows above ground, also known as the "mushroom") and/or the mycelium (the "root-like" portion that grows below ground). Either part may be sold as dried, ground powders or extracts.