Traditional use
Fruit rind used in South Indian cooking and in traditional practice. Known as vrikshamla in Ayurveda.
Why brands use it
Weight management is the highest-velocity supplement category in Indian D2C, with sharp January and wedding-season peaks. Garcinia is the ingredient customers already recognise from international content. It is also the category where claims breaches most often cost brands their ad accounts, so copy discipline is not optional.
Quality and specification
HCA (hydroxycitric acid) content is the standardisation marker, commonly 60%. Raw-material pricing is volatile, so re-check costings quarterly rather than annually.
Safety and cautions
Generally well tolerated at normal doses. Rare reports of liver effects at high intakes. Not advised in pregnancy, or alongside blood-sugar-lowering or psychiatric medication without advice.
