Healthier Consumer Habits are Developing the Alternative Medicines Market

NEW YORK - According to a report published by Market Research Future, the market for herbal medicine is expected to reach USD 111 Billion by the end of 2023. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of about 7.2 % during the period of 2017-2023. There are several market drivers for the global herbal medicine market, including a growing aging population, increasing consumer awareness, little or no side effects, supplier innovations and the release of Current Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary supplements by the FDA. The tighter health budgets of the modern medicinal system, which has driven consumers towards the more economical and safer herbal medicine systems, is also an important factor. Shineco Inc. (NASDAQ: TYHT), Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), The Hain Celestial Group (NASDAQ: HAIN), United Natural Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: UNFI), GNC Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNC)

In a report by Forbes, the Managing Director at TRAUB, the global development group, Kelsey Groome, explained the current the state of supplements market, "Wellness is an approach to living life that is becoming as second nature as brushing teeth… Brands that will have the biggest impact are ones that will make it accessible to more people to live a balanced life in mind, body and soul… The new age of supplements and vitamins focuses on being all natural and in line with the transparency millennials are seeking… what is going on in their body is key, and vitamins and supplements that can do that with a personalized approach are gaining market share."

Shineco Inc. (NASDAQ: TYHT) earlier this week, the Company announced breaking news that the, "official establishment of its Apocynum Industrial Integration Construction Project (the "Project") in Bayingolin Mongol ("Bazhou") Autonomous Prefecture. The Project is operated by the Company's joint venture company, Xinjiang Shineco Taihe Agriculture Technology Ltd. ("Xinjiang Taihe") and has secured local government approval.

Apocynum is unique among Chinese herbal medicine as it can be used in textiles. The scientific and technological innovations in Apocynum planting are expected to improve the ecological impact of cultivation and facilitate the effective protection and sustainable development of Apocynum raw materials. These advances are of great significance for improving the vegetation coverage rate of the Tarim River and conserving soil and water. The government of Bazhou stated that the implementation of this project is conducive to improving the ecological environment in parts of Bazhou, increasing employment, and increasing farmers' income and wealth, with major ecological, economic and social benefits.

The Company plans to build 280 greenhouse nursery bases, five modern farms, five mechanical peeling hemp factories, five environmental protection building materials factories, and five theme villages over 3 years. The Company will carry out overall regional planning and will advance the Project in stages on the basis of scientific agricultural management."

The Project aims to implement the goals of the "National Strategic Plan for Rural Vitalization" in the "19th National Congress" to boost rural incomes and living standards in an effort to combat unbalanced economic development in China. The Project was created to align with the development trends of agriculture in Xinjiang and the demands of the PRC market. Through the establishment of a standardized production demonstration base for Apocynum, the improvement of product market competitiveness and comprehensive benefits, and the adjustment and optimization of regional agricultural structure, the Project aims to strengthen the local rural economy and promote the industrialization and commercialization of Apocynum projects."

Mr. Yuying Zhang, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shineco, stated, "We utilize the unique local resources in Bazhou to expand and strengthen the globally unique Apocynum industrial chain, which we expect to play an important role in promoting the development of the regional economy, alleviate poverty, and improve standards of living for local farmers and herdsmen. In addition, the construction of the Apocynum planting area may positively impact the Bazhou local climate and protect the natural ecological environment for the benefit of future generations."

Mr. Zhang continued, "When the project is completed, we expect to achieve annual output goals for Apocynum fabric, Apocynum tea, building materials and Apocynum honey of 300,000 tons, 20,000 tons, 300,000 cubic meters and 100,000 kilograms respectively. We also expect to attract 100,000 tourists per annum. We estimate that total revenue may reach RMB 12.5 Billion with an investment return rate projected at as high as 135.6%."

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) is a global nutrition company whose purpose is to make the world healthier and happier. The Company has been on a mission for nutrition - changing people's lives with great nutrition products & programs - since 1980. Herbalife Nutrition recently announced results from two studies presented during Poster Sessions at the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) Annual Meeting in Boston, from June 9-12. The study's objective was to examine the impact of changes in daily values (DVs) from the new labeling regulations, issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016, on the Nutrition Rich Food Index of the nine major USDA food groups. The term "nutrient density" was introduced as a concept for identifying foods that ideally contain a spectrum of key essential nutrients and limit the so-called "negative" nutrients. The Nutrition Rich Food Index is a validated and formal metric tool in measuring the nutrient density of individual foods, as well as meals. Simon Sum, DCN, RDN, ACSM-CPT, FAND, Manager, Product Science and R&D at Herbalife Nutrition, said, "Our research determined that the changes to the daily values were found to have a significant impact on the NRF index scores for many of the frequently consumed food items in major food groups other than vegetables. This study is a further validation of the importance of nutrient density in maximizing nutrition, while limiting excessive calories," continued Mr. Sum. "While the impact on the NRF index of each food item may not affect the Index of the food group as a whole, the Index and other nutrient density scores should be updated constantly to reflect current regulations and the nutrients of current public health concerns."