New Chapter has launched a line of multi-herbal supplements that sets out to provide consumers with a bundle of highly-researched traditional herbal extracts known for specific benefits. Each product is designed to be taken once a day. The company’s intent behind these products was to offer blends of ingredients that allow a multi-herbal regimen to take place through one pill, making it easier for consumers to tap into certain health benefits associated with many of the herbs used in traditional medicine that aren’t found in common multivitamins.

One Daily Multiherbal Stress relief takes aim at daily stress, which according to one Gallup poll affects Americans at rates 20% higher than the global average (specific to work-related stress). This supplement (delivered in vegetarian softgels) uses several organic herbs, including clinical doses of ashwagandha and black cumin, two ingredients studied as potential mood-boosters, anxiety reducers, and modulators of adrenal function.

One Daily Multiherbal Sleep Well combines a clinical dose of organic tart cherry, which is rich in naturally-occurring melatonin, as well as ashwagandha, which in many clinical trials has been shown to induce and promote quality sleep. The formula (delivered via vegetarian softgels) also features chamomile and passionflower, herbs that are both known to have soothing properties, and contains no habit-forming ingredients seen in some pharmaceutical sleep aids.

One Daily Multiherbal Holistic (vegan tablets) combines components of three herbs from ancient traditions—turmeric which is used in Ayurveda, ginger which is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and black seed, which is common in Middle Eastern traditions. The health benefits these three ingredients have been evidenced to possess in clinical trials include improving cognitive function and memory, stress relief, cardiovascular benefits, and modulating the inflammatory response.

The One Daily Multiherbal Energy Boost contains eleuthero, a plant traditionally used for its stimulant-like effects on the nervous system, which has been shown in studies to improve fatigue, exercise, and cognitive function. Additionally, the vegan capsules contain rhodilia and maca, adaptogenic herbs shown in numerous studies to mitigate stress and benefit both mood and cognition. Since the supplement contains no caffeine or other crash-inducing stimulants, it could be a viable coffee alternative for those seeking all-day energy support with no comedown.

Herbal combinations are well-documented staples of traditional principles followed by alternative medicine practitioners, especially in TCM and Ayurveda.

“When formulating, New Chapter values both science and tradition,” said Charlotte Traas, director of education at New Chapter. “In Ayurveda the practice of combining herbs is referred to as ‘samyoga,’ a Sanskrit world meaning ‘link together,’ or ‘to combine.’ These traditional and ancient principles are similar in that they are primary herbs delivered to target a specific area of health and the supporting herbs are added to reinforce the primary herb and multiple systems in the body. Many times people approach health thinking that only one system of the body is affected when we lack energy, have digestive issues, or cannot sleep.

We forget that we are many parts working together as one, and therefore have to look at the whole when approaching our health, and not just separate parts. Thoughtful and effective herbal formulations take this into account.”

The Art of Formulation
Multivitamins and other common supplements are generally more well-understood among consumers than herbal supplements, Traas said. Well-intentioned misinformation on herbs is prevalent, she added. Still, consumers are becoming more adept at navigating the market to obtain unique phytochemical benefits. Multi-herbal combinations provide consumers with ready-to-go formulations, which could simplify an individual’s nutritional regimen.

“While the number of people wanting to be their own health advocate is growing, there are challenges and room for growth,” Traas said. “Challenges are that Internet herbalism is sometimes incorrect.”

“There’s also plenty of room to grow,” Traas continued. “A recent survey said that 58% of U.S. adults take a multivitamin, and only 39% take an herbal. Why? Taking a multivitamin makes sense. We take a multivitamin for nutritional gaps that are not met by our diets and that need to be filled, but why take an herbal? There are phytochemicals in herbs that do not normally get included in a vitamin.”

Formulation of multiple herbs, Traas said, is an art, involving a primary ingredient taking a lead role with synergistic ingredients to provide broader benefits. New Chapter incorporates both the scientific research and traditional history behind each ingredient in a way that is most complementary for the intended beneficial application.

“Formulation is an art. While the lead herbals are chosen for their scientific research and their traditional history, the herbs that accompany them are often chosen for their status as tonics, meaning they have a broader impact on the body,” Traas said. “Our formulators adhere to both traditional and scientific principles. All of our Multiherbals contain a primary herb that has been clinically tested to perform for the specific intended use. For example, our Multiherbal Stress product includes clinically studied ashwagandha provided in the same dose as the clinical trial.”

Attention to Prevention
Traas believes the COVID-19 pandemic will bring about an accentuated attention on preventive approaches to any and all health conditions. The platforms of sleep and stress support were growing rapidly in the pre-pandemic market, and will likely be elevated in a lasting way as things begin to normalize to a sub-crisis level.

“While this pandemic is a tragedy, we have awoken to a future where we are more aware of our everyday health and have become empowered to seek out new ways to support our body’s health every day and not just when we are infirm,” Traas said. “I believe this pandemic is going to drive awareness on proactive health and not just reactive health. We will begin to pay attention when our body does not respond the way we want it or need it to at the first occurrence and address it head on.”

She drew an analogy to automobile maintenance. “The check engine light comes on and you immediately address it, but so many of us ignore when we are tired, when we are inflamed, or when we are in pain and push through, often leading to more difficulty. Paying attention to our health with the same care we give to others, our jobs, and even our automobiles will ultimately help us to be healthier,” Traas said. 

Natural Innovation
New Chapter believes that, by all accounts, multi-herbal formulations are the right thing to do within the herbal space.

“New Chapter’s name and course of being is all about innovating within the natural industry,” Traas said. “We work tirelessly to bring to the forefront new ideas that are validated by science and executed with exceptionally high quality standards. Instead of delivering trends, we deliver what the customer deserves, a product that works. We were the first to combine botanicals with fermented nutrients, we were the first supplement company to seek out Non-GMO Project Verification, and we were the first supplement company to become a B-Corp. We didn’t do these things to start trends, we did them because they were the right thing to do. The most important trend we could ever start is doing the right thing. Delivering an easy to take one-a-day multi-herbal formula designed to accompany your multivitamin was the right thing to do because it gives so many people a chance to experience the wisdom of nature within themselves.”