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Bovine colostrum is the milk cows make during the first days after giving birth. It is rich in antibodies and growth factors, and it is sold as a powder and in capsules. This guide covers what small studies show, who should avoid it, why grass-fed is not the same as organic, and how one colostrum powder compares.General information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medicine or are buying for a child.
Colostrum safety
- Avoid bovine colostrum if you are allergic to dairy products.[1]
- Bovine colostrum contains trace amounts of estrogen, so people with hormone-sensitive cancers should discuss it with their doctors before taking it.[1]
- A severe allergic reaction was reported in a 16-year-old with cow’s milk allergy who used a bovine colostrum cream on a surgical wound.[1]
- Supplements are not approved by the FDA for effectiveness before they are sold.[3]
What Bovine Colostrum Is
- Source – Bovine colostrum is the milk cows produce for the first several days after birth, and it protects the newborn calf from infections.[1]
- Contents – It is rich in antibodies, growth factors and cytokines, and it has been used as a dietary supplement for about a decade.[1]
- Antibodies – IgG is the main antibody in cattle colostrum, making up 85 to 95 percent of the total immunoglobulin.[2]
What the Research Shows
- Diarrhea – Several clinical trials suggest colostrum preparations may help treat or prevent diarrhea, but more studies are needed.[1]
- Infections and Immunity – Small studies suggest bovine colostrum may increase immune response, but larger studies are needed.[1]
- Active Adults – Meta-analyses found a lack of evidence for colostrum in physically active adults and in preterm infants.[1]
Grass-Fed Versus Organic
- Grass-Fed – Grass-fed describes what the cows eat. It is not the same as certified organic.
- Organic – Organic products must be produced using agricultural practices overseen by a USDA-authorized certifier. If a product is not certified, it cannot make an organic claim on the front panel or use the USDA seal.[4]
- Supplement Facts – The label shows the amount per serving and the other ingredients, so check the milligrams of colostrum per serving.[3]
What the Research Says
Memorial Sloan Kettering says small studies of bovine colostrum for diarrhea, infections and gut disorders had positive results, but larger trials are needed.[1] The review in Animals found IgG makes up 85 to 95 percent of the immunoglobulin in cattle colostrum.[2]How We Chose These Products
We do not test products. We compare product details: form, amount per container, stated certifications, ingredients and availability.[4] Brands don’t pay to be included, though we may earn a commission from purchases.Our Colostrum Pick
We found one colostrum powder, so this guide has one pick. With every purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.1
Immune-Tree® Bovine Colostrum Powder Grass-fed bovine colostrum powder, 6.5 oz
- Immune-Tree Grass-Fed Bovine Colostrum Powder is a 6.5 oz container of colostrum powder from grass-fed cows.
- It is a dairy product, so it is not vegan and it is not for people with a dairy allergy.
- It carries no USDA Organic seal.
Index Table: Organic Grass-Fed Colostrum
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Immune-Tree Bovine Colostrum Powder - Grass-fed bovine colostrum powder, 6.5 oz |  |
| Immune-Tree |
Sources
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Bovine Colostrum. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Ahmann J, Steinhoff-Wagner J, Büscher W. Determining Immunoglobulin Content of Bovine Colostrum and Factors Affecting the Outcome: A Review. Animals (Basel), 2021. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Organic Labeling Standards. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the guide text and product notes around the Memorial Sloan Kettering colostrum page and a peer-reviewed immunoglobulin review, added what the research shows and the dairy allergy and hormone-sensitive cancer cautions, removed unsupported claims, and replaced the sources (Memorial Sloan Kettering, Animals review, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, USDA)
- Oct 2026: Removed Ancestral Supplements, Brain Basics, Mt. Capra and Heart & Soil colostrum (no organic claim on their product pages); corrected the immunoglobulin facts; explained that grass-fed isn’t the same as organic; Key Specs updated; added Sources (FDA, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, USDA, peer-reviewed review)
- Apr 2021: First published
