Label Reference
Factual data on natural supplement ingredients and forms
Standard Ingredient Order Rule
Supplement labels list ingredients in descending order by quantity. The ingredient appearing first represents the largest proportion by weight, followed by decreasing amounts.
This descending sequence applies universally across all supplement formats—capsules, tablets, powders, and liquid extracts. Understanding this sequence is essential for reading what the label actually states about formula composition.
Example: If Tribulus terrestris root extract appears first, it comprises a larger mass percentage than Zinc oxide listed later.
Single-Source vs. Composite Labels
Single-source formula: Label declares one primary botanical or mineral—for example, Rhodiola rosea root extract 300 mg per serving, with standardization notation (3% rosavins).
Composite formula: Label combines multiple ingredients in one product. Each component is listed separately in descending order. Excipients appear at the end after all active ingredients.
Single-source formulas emphasize depth of one component. Composite formulas emphasize breadth across multiple sources.
Physical Forms Overview
Hard Capsule: Gelatin or cellulose shell containing powder. Shell typically clear or opaque; contents visible if transparent.
Softgel: Single-piece gel capsule containing liquid. Non-separable, smooth appearance.
Compressed Tablet: Powder pressed into solid form. May contain binding agents (excipients) for structural integrity.
Powder: Loose, free-flowing form. Requires precise measuring before use.
Liquid Extract: Concentrated botanical material suspended in glycerin or similar base. No capsule shell.
Geographic Origin Declarations
Labels often specify where botanical material originates:
- Country of harvest: "Panax ginseng (Korea)"
- Regional designation: "Ginkgo biloba (China, Jiangxi Province)"
- Sourcing method: "Wildcrafted," "Organically Farmed," "Cultivated"
- Certification marking: Organic seal, fair-trade symbol
Geographic data reflects where the raw material was grown or collected before processing.
Extraction Ratios & Standardization
Extraction Ratio (e.g., 4:1, 10:1): Indicates the concentration level. A 4:1 ratio means 4 units of raw material were processed to create 1 unit of extract.
Standardization (e.g., 3% rosavins, 10% ginsenosides): Specifies the measured concentration of a particular active marker compound within the extract.
These notations describe the concentration and processing intensity applied to the source material. Higher ratios or percentages indicate greater concentration.
Example: Rhodiola rosea root 5:1 extract, 3% rosavins, 1% salidroside
Plant Part Designations
Labels specify which part of the plant is used:
- Root: Underground portion
- Rhizome: Underground stem
- Leaf: Aerial foliage
- Seed: Reproductive unit
- Fruit: Mature ovary with seeds (e.g., Tribulus terrestris fruit)
- Bark: Outer layer of stem or trunk
- Aerial parts: All above-ground portions combined
- Fruiting body: Mushroom or fungal structure
Different plant parts contain varying concentrations of botanical compounds.
Excipients & Label Position
Excipients are substances added to formulas for functional purposes. They always appear after all active ingredients on the label.
Common excipient functions:
- Binders: Hold tablet structure (cellulose, maltodextrin)
- Flow agents: Enable even powder distribution (silica, magnesium stearate)
- Capsule shell material: Gelatin or cellulose derivatives
- Base: Glycerin or carrier for liquid extracts
Excipient quantities are typically smaller than active ingredients and serve structural or processing roles.
Batch Numbers & Expiration Data
Batch/Lot Number: Unique identifier assigned during manufacturing. Enables traceability to production run.
Best-Before Date: Printed as month/year or day/month/year. Indicates the recommended use window based on stability testing.
Manufacturer Information: Company name, address, and contact details. Typically appears on back or bottom label panel.
These data points connect the physical product to its production records and shelf-life parameters.
Common Label Terms Defined
Extract
Botanical or mineral material processed to concentrate specific compounds. Created through solvent extraction or other concentration methods.
Dry Powder
Dehydrated plant material ground into powder form. No liquid base. Shelf-stable.
Standardized
Extract adjusted to contain a specified minimum level of a particular marker compound. Provides consistency across batches.
Bioavailable Form
Specific chemical form of an ingredient designed for absorption. Example: Chelated mineral (mineral bound to amino acid).
Glycerin Base
Liquid extract suspended in glycerin rather than alcohol. Vegetarian-compatible base used in liquid supplement formulas.
Organic Certification
Third-party verification that botanical was grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Marked with recognized organic seal.
Wildcrafted
Plant material harvested from wild, uncultivated sources rather than farmed. Subject to purity and sustainability standards.
Cellulose Capsule
Plant-derived capsule shell alternative to gelatin. Vegetarian option. Same functional properties as gelatin capsules.
Frequently Asked Label Questions
Why do ingredients appear in different order on different bottles?
Ingredient order reflects descending quantity per serving in that specific formula. Different product lines or batches may have different compositions, resulting in different ingredient sequences.
What does "per serving" mean on a label?
The stated quantity refers to one serving size (e.g., one capsule, one teaspoon powder, one milliliter liquid). Dosage recommendations are based on serving size.
How do I read extraction ratios?
A ratio of 4:1 means 4 kilograms of raw material was processed to create 1 kilogram of extract. Higher ratios indicate greater concentration and intensity of processing.
What is the significance of standardization percentages?
Standardization (e.g., 10% ginsenosides) guarantees that the extract contains at least that measured concentration of a specific marker compound. This provides batch-to-batch consistency.
Does "natural" mean anything on supplement labels?
The term "natural" is not standardized by law on supplement labels. Refer instead to specific sourcing data—country of origin, organic certification, wildcrafted designation—to understand source quality.
Why are excipients listed separately from active ingredients?
Excipients serve structural or processing functions rather than providing the primary therapeutic ingredient. Label convention requires them at the end, after active components.
Reference Reading Guide
This site presents factual, reference-level information about supplement label structure and ingredient designation. The content explains how labels are organized, what terms mean, and how to read exactly what is printed on the package.
The goal is clarity of label structure—not product evaluation, not efficacy claims, not outcome suggestions. Supplement labels communicate ingredient composition, sourcing, concentration, and physical form through standardized notation.
By understanding these label conventions, you can read what a formula actually contains, where ingredients originate, and in what concentration or form they are presented.