Cyracos™

Natural stress support backed by science

Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information.Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information.Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information.Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information.Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information.Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states.

Harnessing the power of lemon balm to relax, reduce stress and improve sleep

Cyracos™ is a clinically tested extract of lemon balm – a traditional herbal remedy for stress and sleep¹. Scientifically substantiated and supported by three health claims in Canada¹⁵, it has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, improve sleep quality and improve mood.²
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Benefits

Stress reduction
Sleep

Stress – a global problem

Two in three American adults say they have felt more stressed in recent times³, while 94% of European consumers want to reduce their stress levels and improve their sleep⁴. Over 80% of European consumers are interested in using food supplements to achieve this⁵. Lemon balm offers an attractive natural solution that’s liked by 58% of French and German consumers⁶ and is increasingly associated with wellness, anxiety relief, and better sleep.⁷ Cyracos™ harnesses the natural power of lemon balm to reduce symptoms of stress and improve sleep, supporting consumers in their quest for a more relaxed life.

Clinically shown

to reduce stress and improve sleep²

Standardized level

of rosmarinic acid

Three authorized health claims

in Canada¹

100% natural

with a long history of traditional use

Sustainably sourced from France, Italy and Poland,

with full traceability to farm level

Want to know more about OatWell™'s unique characteristics?

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The science behind

Cyracos™

Clinically proven to support sleep and relaxation

Cyracos™ is a standardised lemon balm leaf extract with clinically proven benefits for sleep and relaxation at a consumer-friendly dose of 600 mg a day. The World Health Organization defines stress as a natural state of worry or mental tension caused by difficult situations.⁸ A clinical study on Cyracos™ measured the effects of the ingredient on symptoms of stress such as mild anxiety and sleep quality.²

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Cyracos™

responsible sourcing

Sustainably cultivating lemon balm in Europe

The lemon balm used to make Cyracos™ is grown and harvested sustainably, in accordance with the principles of our Sourcing4Good programme, which promotes responsible practices across our supply chains, while improving both producer livelihoods and the environmental impacts of our products.

We work closely with our lemon balm suppliers to promote sustainability throughout the value chain. Together, we continue to drive tangible actions to protect and promote the environment and the wellbeing of the communities where we source ingredients and operate our facilities.

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Traditional use

Lemon balm is a perennial herbaceous plant and a member of the mint family. It is native to south-central Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, where it is grown to this day. Its use as a medicinal herb dates back to Ancient Greece, where it was valued for its ability to soothe nerves and calm anxiety.⁶ ⁹ People in the Middle East and Europe have historically used it for relaxation.

Why formulate

with

Cyracos™

?

With a compliance-friendly dosage of 600 mg a day, Cyracos™ can be used in a wide range of convenient nutraceutical formats, including capsules and tablets, gummies, instant drink sticks, and shots.
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FAQs

1. How does Cyracos™ work?
2. How long does Cyracos™ take to work?
3. Which phase of sleep does Cyracos™ affect?

We would love to hear from you!

If you have a specific product in mind or are curious about how we can assist in your innovation journey, please don't hesitate to get in touch
Contact us
References

Cyracos™

The natural adaptogen backed by science

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The science behind Cyracos™

Clinically proven to support sleep and relaxation

Cyracos™ is a standardised lemon balm leaf extract with clinically proven benefits for sleep and relaxation at a consumer-friendly dose of 600 mg a day. The World Health Organization defines stress as a natural state of worry or mental tension caused by difficult situations.⁸ A clinical study on Cyracos™ measured the effects of the ingredient on symptoms of stress such as mild anxiety and sleep quality.²

18%
reduction in anxiety symptoms²
42%
reduction in insomnia symptoms²

Tapping into the GABA pathway

Lemon balm extract has been shown to improve mood by affecting stress levels and mild anxiety,² ⁹ in particular through the action of its rosmarinic acid on the gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) pathway.¹³ GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system,¹⁰ with low levels associated with mild anxiety.¹¹ Rosmarinic acid is a naturally occurring phenolic compound in lemon balm leaf¹² and a potent inhibitor of GABA transaminase (GABA-T). Inhibition of GABA-T increases GABA levels in the brain.¹³ Cyracos™ has a broad spectrum of actives, including a standardised level of >7% rosmarinic acid and >14% hydroxycinnamic acid, which are both natural polyphenolic compounds associated with effects on sleep and relaxation.¹⁴

Influencing mood, reducing symptoms of anxiety, improving sleep quality

In a prospective, single-center, open-label study in 2011, 20 adults diagnosed with mild to moderate anxiety and sleep disturbances consumed 300 mg of Cyracos™ twice a day for 15 days.²

Cyracos™ was found to significantly reduce (as compared to baseline):

  • anxiety symptoms by 18%
  • insomnia by 42%

Furthermore, clinical ratings revealed that 95% of the participants responded positively to Cyracos™ supplementation. The study also demonstrated that Cyracos™ was well tolerated, with no side effects. While the results of this small study are promising, more research is warranted.

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Multiple health claims from Health Canada

Given the clinical evidence for its effects on sleep and relaxation, Cyracos™ has been granted three health claims from Health Canada : ● “Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a sleep aid (in cases of restlessness or insomnia due to mental stress)” ● “Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help promote sleep during periods of restlessness or insomnia due to mental stress” ● “Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help reduce insomnia, a symptom of stress”
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Multiple health claims from Health Canada¹⁵

Given the clinical evidence for its effects on sleep and relaxation, Cyracos™ has been granted three health claims from Health Canada¹⁵:

“Traditionally used in herbal medicine as a sleep aid (in cases of restlessness or insomnia due to mental stress)”

“Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help promote sleep during periods of restlessness or insomnia due to mental stress”

“Traditionally used in herbal medicine to help reduce insomnia, a symptom of stress”

References

Cyracos™ Responsible Sourcing

Driving impacts across the value chain

As part of our commitment to source all materials and services in a way that protects people and the environment by 2030, we work with our lemon balm suppliers to ensure trust and compliance across our entire supply chain. Together, we aim to provide a sustainable supply of lemon balm with a limited environmental footprint, while implementing an active stewardship programme including training, knowledge sharing and careful field management.

‘’From seed to dried leaves, we ensure, with our dedicated growers, full traceability of our supplies and maintain best in class quality to match our clients’ needs.“

Carla Magny,
Global Category Buyer EMEA

Our Commitment

Working in partnership with our suppliers

Our lemon balm is sustainably sourced from the French, Italian and Polish countryside through cooperative partnerships. We make long-term agreements with our suppliers, typically with partnerships which provide a stable and profitable outlet for their volumes. Lemon balm is a high-value crop for farmers, offering excellent diversification opportunities for those with existing drying facilities.

Limited environmental footprint

The crop is harvested from year one, and from year two, up to three cuts per year are possible, from May to October (prior to blossom). With over 15 years of experience sourcing lemon balm and our main supplier located close to our production facility, we work directly on the field for a sustainable supply with a limited environmental footprint. Our suppliers are also engaged in improvement plans to lower their carbon emissions by setting up biomass boilers, solar panels, biogas stations and switching to green electricity.

Stewardship programme

As part of our commitment to protecting the environment, we have an active stewardship program in place, including:

  • Third-party audits of suppliers at the factory and farm level
  • Regular field visits and training in good agricultural practices by agronomists, with one agronomist dedicated to following the crop through its life cycle
  • Knowledge sharing with help from experienced producers
  • Manual weeding to minimise inputs during cultivation, with strict limitations on pesticide use
  • Careful field management to ensure regrowth

Why Givaudan?
Botanical expertise
Explore our trusted, natural ingredients–sustainably sourced with rigorous quality control.
Science & technology
Innovate with our science-backed ingredients with proven health, wellbeing and nutritional benefits.
Enjoyable food experiences
Create unique products with the right taste, colour, texture and functional ingredients.
The latest consumer insights
Transform consumer needs into outstanding products.
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References

Enhanced nutrition in any application

OatWell™ offers multiple functional benefits for food formulations, making it a versatile ingredient and allowing for fibre fortification in many applications, including bread, crackers, pastas, sweet baked goods and extruded snacks.

OatWell™ behaves as a natural stabiliser/emulsifier, making it an ideal ingredient for clean label strategies, while its high viscosity can deliver thickening properties. In applications such as bakery or processed meats, it exhibits water binding capacities, which hold potential for fat reduction. For classic applications, such as crackers and cereals, it can add a satisfying crisp.
11.4g
of OatWell™ BG28 delivers: 3g of oat beta glucan, 5.6g of dietary fibre and only 32Kcal

Designed for your formulation needs

The Oatwell™ range offers varying levels of total dietary fibre, oat beta-glucan and protein content, as well as different particle sizes. Its unique characteristics make it easy to incorporate in application while meeting taste and nutritional targets for a truly enjoyable consumer experience.

Baked goods

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Water binding capacity and moisture retention help extend shelf life
  • Can be mixed in binder syrup to provide thickness
  • High viscosity delivers thickening properties and texture
  • Enables some fat reduction in cakes
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

Extruded cereals / Snacks

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Excellent format to deliver high content of oat beta-glucan and fibre
  • Good expansion properties
  • Lighter, aerated and crispy texture
  • No colour impact
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

Pasta

  • Easy to incorporate
  • Water binding
  • Comparable texture to regular pasta
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

RTM Powders

  • Free flowing and easy to blend
  • Good dispersion
  • Can deliver added mouthfeel
  • Texture may add to perception of satiety
  • Improves overall nutritional profile

A little product for a lot of nutrition

Our OatWell™ Bran BG28 has over 50% total fibre and 28% beta-glucan. This beta-glucan is a powerful fibre and can help achieve different health claims around the globe. For example in the US, using the heart health claim requires delivering 3g of beta-glucan/day. 

Unique properties to deliver unmatched benefits from oats

For over 30 years, OatWell™ has been researched to develop innovative oat products. Much of our work has focused on proving the health benefits of oat beta-glucans in order to deliver premium value to our customers.

A unique nutritional profile

Generally considered healthier and more nutritious than the other main cereals, oats offer a full range of benefits in a single ingredient. OatWell™ can be provided in three different concentrations of beta-glucans, all delivering both soluble and insoluble fibres, along with an average of 21% - 23% protein.

A proprietary production process

OatWell™ uses a unique production process to fractionate the oat kernel into three product lines: beta-glucan products, oat flours, and oat oils. Our production process preserves the native structure of oat beta-glucans, retaining their high molecular weight during fractionation into oat brans with a high amount of beta-glucans.

The importance of high molecular weight

The molecular weight of oat beta-glucan is essential to delivering health benefits. OatWell™'s beta-glucan has a very high molecular weight (2000-2500 kDa as naturally found in oats), which contributes to its unique viscosity and thickening properties. This viscosity has an important impact on physiological functions, such as reducing blood cholesterol levels, moderating blood glucose and insulin levels, and potentially benefiting satiety.

Benefits of OatWell’s high molecular weight:

  • Ability to effectively reduce cholesterol and maintain healthy blood sugar levels compared to low molecular weight alternatives
  • High viscosity – thickening properties
  • Excellent water-binding properties
  • Potential to replace fat in product formulations

Unlocking the potential of dietary fibres and oat beta-glucan

Dietary fibre is an essential part of a healthy diet, promoting digestive health and providing a range of benefits that can help maintain overall wellbeing. Found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, dietary fibres are carbohydrates that cannot be digested by the body.

Nutrition Facts Label: FDA definition of “dietary fibre”

"non-digestible soluble and insoluble carbohydrates (with 3 or more monomeric units), and lignin that are intrinsic and intact in plants; isolated or synthetic non-digestible carbohydrates (with 3 or more monomeric units) determined by FDA to have physiological effects that are beneficial to human health."⁸

Soluble Fibers

Soluble fibres are dispersible in water. Fibres with high molecular weight, such as OatWell™, transform into a gel-like substance as they move through the digestive tract, where they are fermented by beneficial bacteria.⁹ This type of fibre is known to reduce cholesterol levels, particularly LDL (bad cholesterol)¹⁰, and manage blood glucose levels⁷ making it particularly beneficial for those concerned with heart health and healthy blood glucose. When soluble fibre, such as that found in Oatwell™, is digested by beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, it acts as a prebiotic.¹¹ As a result of digestion, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are released in the colon and serve as a nutrition source for the colon’s own cells.

Oat beta-glucans

One exceptional soluble fibre is beta-glucan, a natural, indigestible polysaccharide found in oats, barley, yeast, bacteria, algae, and mushrooms. Oats are particularly rich in beta-glucan, with concentrations ranging from 3-5% depending on the variety. Oat bran, produced by removing the starchy content of the grain, contains the highest concentration of beta-glucan, offering numerous health benefits for cardiovascular health⁵ ⁶, glycaemic response⁷ and the gut microbiome.⁴

Insoluble fibres

Insoluble fibres, on the other hand, do not dissolve in water as they pass through the digestive system. They help promote regular bowel movements, helping the stool pass more quickly through the intestines, which studies indicate is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.¹² By delivering both insoluble and soluble dietary fibres, including beta-glucans,¹³  OatWell™ helps meet consumer expectations for nutritious and delightful food experiences while promoting overall wellbeing. Embrace the power of these natural ingredients to create food experiences that truly resonate with today's health-conscious consumers.

Prebiotic support for the gut microbiome

Oat fibre contributes to improved gut health by increasing faecal bulk, but there’s more to the story. OatWell™ oat bran fibre has prebiotic effects, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. These bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids like butyrate and propionate, which have been associated with anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties.²⁰

What is a prebiotic?

Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilised by host microorganisms that confer a health benefit. Simply put, they are food for beneficial microbes that live in the human gut. These microbes can produce short chain fatty acids, which are considered beneficial compounds. Most prebiotics are dietary fibres, but not all dietary fibres are prebiotics. Many prebiotic fibres are soluble and some are insoluble.¹¹

The prebiotic effects of oat bran fibre have been validated through years of research. In a review by Malkki and Virtanen, they cite: “in the large bowel, soluble dietary fibre increases the fermentation activity, especially production of butyric acid, enhances growth and colonisation of some probiotic bacterial strains, increases production of microbial mass and thereby aids the removal of nitrogen via faeces. It also increases wet weight of stools, thereby alleviating constipation”.²¹

Research conducted on oat beta-glucan demonstrates that it meets three important criteria, confirming its status as a prebiotic fibre:¹ ²

  • helps produce Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): acetate, propionate and butyrate³
  • increases lactic acid as well as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli³
  • increases faecal bulk and promotes proper gut function⁴
By nurturing the gut microbiome, OatWell™ is an ideal ally for creating healthy and delightful food experiences that optimize wellbeing from within.
Disclaimer
This web page is intended to provide business-to-business education and information.Its purpose is not intended to communicate to end consumers. Ingredient information is for educational purposes only; specific ingredients are not intended to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any disease states.
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