What a proprietary blend is
A proprietary blend is a group of dietary ingredients presented under a blend name or as a blend on the Supplement Facts panel. FDA labeling guidance explains that the total weight of the blend is declared and the ingredients within it are listed, generally in descending order by weight.
What that means for Breathe
The Breathe label reports a 550 mg proprietary blend per 1 mL serving. It lists lemon peel, peppermint leaf, ginger root, Manuka honey, mullein extract, thyme leaf, wild-crafted mullein leaf and microencapsulated peppermint oil, but it does not disclose the milligrams of each component.
Why undisclosed amounts limit comparisons with studies
Clinical research usually evaluates a defined dose. If the amount of an ingredient in a proprietary blend is unknown, a reader cannot confidently determine whether it matches the amount used in a particular study. This does not prove that a formula is ineffective; it simply limits direct evidence matching.
A practical evaluation method
Start with the current label, identify the total blend amount and ingredient order, then examine research on each ingredient with attention to preparation and dose. Keep that ingredient evidence separate from claims about the finished product unless a trial directly tested the finished formula.
References & further reading
- FDA — Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide — background on Supplement Facts and proprietary blends
- FDA — Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements — regulatory background for dietary supplements