Natural excipients for herbal tablets: a practical guide

🧪 Most commonly used natural excipients

1. Microcrystalline cellulose

• 💡 The most common and effective

• It comes from vegetable fibers

• Ideal for compact, hard, flavorless tablets

2. Corn or rice starch

• It serves as a binder and absorbent

• Gives a soft texture and a good finish

• Economical and easy to find

3. Maltodextrin

• Natural derivative of corn or rice

• Provides volume and allows for a homogeneous mix

• Good dissolution in the mouth

4. Gum arabic or acacia

• Excellent natural binder

• It is especially used in chewable tablets

• Improves tablet stability

5. Whole oat flour

• Rich in fiber and nutrients

• Provides a creamy, firm base

• Ideal for soft nutritional tablets

🛠️ How to choose the right excipient

✅ According to the base plant:

• Light plants (such as chamomile, linden): require compacting excipients such as cellulose.

• Dense plants (such as turmeric, ginger): work well with starch or maltodextrin.

✅ Depending on the desired final format:

• Hard tablet: microcrystalline cellulose

• Chewable: gum arabic, starch

• Fast dissolving: maltodextrin

✅ According to the target audience:

• For children or the elderly: use neutral-tasting, soft-textured excipients.

• Vegans: All of the above are suitable if certified