PlainVitamins

Gastric Essentials

by Swanson Condition Specific Formulas · capsule · 60 veggie capsules

  • Off the market since December 2023 (NIH)
  • UPC 0 87614 07099 5
  • DSLD label 206446
  • Serving 1 veggie capsule

Gastric Essentials by Swanson Condition Specific Formulas lists 13 ingredients, 13 with an amount per serving of 1 veggie capsule, such as 50 mg of angelica, 50 mg of cardamom, 50 mg of dandelion and 50 mg of gentian. Its current label entered the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database on September 24, 2019.

What is in Gastric Essentials?

Each row as the label prints it, per serving of 1 veggie capsule. The capsule beside an amount places it among every product in the NIH database that lists the same ingredient: the bar is the middle half of their amounts, the line in it the median, the whiskers the 10th and 90th percentiles; the green tick is the FDA Daily Value and the red dashed tick the adult upper limit (IOM).

Gastric Essentials: Supplement Facts rows against the market (DSLD label 206446, January 2026 release)
IngredientAmount% DVAmong products listing it
Angelica50 mgAngelica in Gastric Essentials against 41 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 1,156 mg, the median 610 mg.50 mg

73% of 41 products listing angelica give more (median 610 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Cardamom50 mgCardamom in Gastric Essentials against 43 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 88.65 mg to 1,078 mg, the median 970 mg.50 mg

86% of 43 products listing cardamom give more (median 970 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Dandelion50 mgDandelion in Gastric Essentials against 793 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 250 mg, the median 100 mg.50 mg

71% of 793 products listing dandelion give more (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Gentian50 mgGentian in Gastric Essentials against 103 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 20 mg to 122.5 mg, the median 60 mg.50 mg

50% of 103 products listing gentian give more (median 60 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Goldenseal50 mgGoldenseal in Gastric Essentials against 308 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 40 mg to 385 mg, the median 100 mg.50 mg

65% of 308 products listing goldenseal give more (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Licorice50 mgLicorice in Gastric Essentials against 888 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 42 mg to 300 mg, the median 100 mg.50 mg

60% of 888 products listing licorice give more (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Marshmallow50 mgMarshmallow in Gastric Essentials against 290 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 224 mg, the median 100 mg.50 mg

72% of 290 products listing marshmallow give more (median 100 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Meadowsweet50 mg
Slippery Elm50 mgSlippery Elm in Gastric Essentials against 232 products50 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 50 mg to 300 mg, the median 150 mg.50 mg

74% of 232 products listing slippery elm give more (median 150 mg). Per day at the most servings: 100 mg.

Prickly Ash50 mg
Ginger25 mgGinger in Gastric Essentials against 1,770 products25 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 150 mg, the median 60 mg.25 mg

70% of 1,770 products listing ginger give more (median 60 mg). Per day at the most servings: 50 mg.

Betaine HCl25 mgBetaine Hydrochloride in Gastric Essentials against 914 products25 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 25 mg to 178 mg, the median 50 mg.25 mg

58% of 914 products listing betaine hydrochloride give more (median 50 mg). Per day at the most servings: 50 mg.

ProteaseProtease Note: 4.525 mgProteolytic Enzymes (Proteases) in Gastric Essentials against 327 products25 mg per serving; the middle half of products list 10 mg to 100 mg, the median 30 mg.25 mg

54% of 327 products listing proteolytic enzymes (proteases) give more (median 30 mg). Per day at the most servings: 50 mg.

Source: NIH ODS Dietary Supplement Label Database, label 206446 (entered September 24, 2019), version 9.4.0. See the label on DSLD. Amounts are what the maker printed; DSLD does not test products. Daily Values: the FDA's Daily Value page.

Is that a lot?

The rows in the top or bottom tenth of the products that list the same ingredient, and any above the adult upper limit at the most servings a day the directions give:

  • 86% of the 43 products that print an amount of cardamom list more than its 50 mg of cardamom (median 970 mg).

The NIH database records 2 servings a day from the label's directions; its % Daily Values are for adults and children 4 or more years of age. The directions as printed are further down this page.

The Tolerable Upper Intake Level is the most of a nutrient per day, from food, water and supplements together, that is likely to pose no risk for almost all adults (Institute of Medicine, 2011). It does not apply under medical supervision. This page compares labels; it is not medical advice.

Sources: amounts from the DSLD label; Daily Values from 21 CFR 101.9(c)(8)(iv); adult upper limits from the Institute of Medicine's DRI summary tables (2011). How positions are computed.

Which products have the closest formulas?

The products whose ingredient lists overlap most with Gastric Essentials's, rare ingredients counting for more.

Source: ingredient lists of every product's current label in DSLD (version 9.4.0); similarity weights each shared ingredient by how rare it is.

What does the label say about taking it?

Quoted from the label as DSLD transcribed it: the maker's words, including any claim about what the product does, which the FDA has not evaluated and PlainVitamins does not endorse.

Directions
Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take one veggie capsule two times per day, before breakfast and lunch.
Warnings
Do not use if seal is broken.
Keep out of reach of children.
Warning: Do not take this product if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult your healthcare provider before use if you are taking any prescription medications or have a medical condition, especially ulcers or gallbladder problems.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place.

Source: label statements in DSLD label 206446.

What else is on the label?

Other ingredients: Hypromellose, Rice Bran, Silica, Rice Extract.

Seals and symbols as the label prints them (the maker's; a certifier's own list confirms a seal): Vegetarian Formula; Guaranteed Purity & Potency.

How many labels does Gastric Essentials have?

One label is on file, entered on September 24, 2019.

  1. Label 206446 (current) Entered September 24, 2019 · off the market December 1, 2023 · 60 veggie capsules · UPC 0 87614 07099 5

Source: DSLD label entry and market events, version 9.4.0 (labels entered through September 25, 2025).

Who makes it?

The label names Swanson Health Products (distributor), Fargo, ND. All Swanson Condition Specific Formulas products.

Where next?