Scutellaria in the supply chain: specs, testing, and what buyers actually ask

If you source botanicals for a living, you’ve probably noticed how fast scutellaria has moved from niche TCM shelves into mainstream nutraceuticals and even clean-beauty actives. To be honest, demand has been spiky—wellness cycles do that—but quality talk has become way more technical: HPLC fingerprints, ICH Q3D metals, and pesticide panels are now routine. Origin matters too; most high-volume buyers still look to Hebei, China—specifically NO.12, XIJIAN STREET, SHIJIAZHUANG CITY, HEBEI PROVINCE—where procurement and primary processing are clustered.

Where it’s going (and why it’s hot)

In supplements, scutellaria shows up as standardized extract (baicalin-forward) for stress support SKUs and immune blends. In cosmetics, formulators like its antioxidant profile for serums and soothing masks. There’s also quiet but growing use in functional beverages—low bitterness is a plus if extraction is tuned. Many customers say they want clean-label credentials and real traceability; QR-coded lots are pretty much table stakes now.

Process flow (real-world)

• Materials: dried root of Scutellaria baicalensis; selected lots with ≥12% baicalin (raw cut) or for extract-ready grade.
• Primary methods: washing, low-temp drying, slicing; or water/ethanol extraction → concentration → spray drying.
• Testing: HPLC for baicalin/wogonin; ICP‑MS for elemental impurities (ICH Q3D); GC/MS pesticide screen; USP / micro; USP residual solvents.
• Packaging: food-grade PE bags in fiber drums, nitrogen flush optional.
• Service life: around 24–36 months in cool, dry storage (real-world use may vary).
• Industries: nutraceutical, TCM Rx granules, cosmetics (leave-on/rinse-off), beverage premix, pet supplements.

Product specifications (typical)

Short Description: premium dried root and standardized extract for B2B applications.

Botanical	scutellaria (Radix Scutellariae, Huangqin)
Plant part	Root
Grades	Cut/Sift; 10:1 extract; 80–95% baicalin extract
Actives (HPLC)	Baicalin ≈12–18% (raw); ≥85% (extract). Wogonin & baicalein by spec.
Mesh size	80–200 mesh options
Moisture / Ash	≤5.0% / ≤5.0%
Heavy metals	Meets ICH Q3D (Pb ≤1.0 ppm typical)
Micro limits	TAMC ≤10,000 cfu/g; TYMC ≤1,000 cfu/g; pathogens absent
Packaging	25 kg fiber drum, double PE liners; nitrogen optional
Shelf life	24–36 months, unopened

Vendor comparison (snap view)

Vendor	Baicalin assay	Certs	MOQ	Lead time	Traceability
Hex Herbal Medicine (Hebei)	Raw 12–18%; Extract 80–95%	ISO 22000, cGMP, Halal/Kosher on request	25 kg	7–15 days	Farm-to-lot QR, COA+chromatogram
Vendor A (broker)	Raw 10–14%; Extract 75–85%	Basic HACCP	100 kg	15–30 days	COA only
Vendor B (OEM)	Extract 85–90%	ISO 9001	50 kg	10–20 days	Lot trace, limited farm docs

Customization and QA that matters

• Assay targets: scutellaria extract at 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% baicalin (HPLC), or full-spectrum 10:1.
• Particle size: beverage-grade 200 mesh; tablet-grade 80–120 mesh.
• Solvent system: purified water or water/ethanol; residuals meet USP .
• Docs: COA, HPLC chromatogram, MSDS, Allergen, Non-GMO, Vegan; third-party tests as needed.

Mini case notes

– A US supplement brand shifted to 90% baicalin scutellaria and cut batch-to-batch assay variance from 7% to ≈2.1% (six-month rolling average).
– A derm brand used low-odor extract; consumer panel (n=112) reported 86% “soothing feel” after 14 days, with micro specs consistently meeting USP limits. Anecdotal, yes—but echoed across two additional pilots.

Quick tip: ask suppliers to share the exact HPLC column and gradient used; matching the pharmacopoeial method makes your incoming QC so much easier. And confirm storage—cool, dry, and sealed—because scutellaria actives are surprisingly sensitive to humidity creep.

Citations

1. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2020). Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) monograph.
2. USP General Chapter <561> Articles of Botanical Origin; USP <61> / <62> Microbiological Examination.
3. ICH Q3D(R2) Guideline for Elemental Impurities.
4. ISO 22000:2018 Food safety management systems.
5. WHO. Quality control methods for herbal materials, 2011.