What are herbal supplements?
Products made from botanicals, or plants, that
are used to treat diseases or to maintain health are called herbal
products, botanical products, or phytomedicines. A product made from
plants and used solely for internal use is called an herbal supplement.
Many prescription drugs and over-the-counter
medicines are also made from plant products, but these products contain
only purified ingredients and are regulated by the FDA. Herbal supplements may
contain entire plants or plant parts.
Herbal supplements come in all forms: dried,
chopped, powdered, capsule, or liquid, and can be used in various ways,
including:
- Swallowed as pills, powders, or
tinctures
- Brewed as tea
- Applied to the skin as gels,
lotions, or creams
- Added to bath water
The practice of using herbal supplements dates
back thousands of years. Today, the use of herbal supplements is common among
American consumers. However, they are not for everyone. Because they are not
subject to close scrutiny by the FDA, or other governing agencies, the use of
herbal supplements remains controversial. It is best to consult
your doctor about any symptoms or conditions you have and to discuss the
use of herbal supplements.
The FDA and herbal supplements
The FDA considers herbal supplements foods, not
drugs. Therefore, they are not subject to the same testing, manufacturing, and
labeling standards and regulations as drugs.
You can now see labels that explain how
herbs can influence different actions in the body. However, herbal supplement
labels can't refer to treating specific medical conditions. This is because
herbal supplements are not subject to clinical trials or to the same
manufacturing standards as prescription or traditional over-the-counter drugs.
For example, St. John's wort is a popular herbal
supplement thought to be useful for treating depression in some cases. A
product label on St. John's wort might say, "enhances mood," but it
cannot claim to treat a specific condition, such as depression.
Herbal supplements, unlike medicines, are not
required to be standardized to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. Some
manufacturers may use the word standardized on a supplement label, but it does
not necessarily mean the same thing from one manufacturer to the next.
Precautions when choosing herbal supplements
Herbal supplements can interact with
conventional medicines or have strong effects. Do not self-diagnose. Talk
to your doctor before taking herbal supplements.
- Educate yourself. Learn as much
as you can about the herbs you are taking by consulting your doctor
and contacting herbal supplement manufacturers for information.
- If you use herbal supplements,
follow label instructions carefully and use the prescribed dosage only.
Never exceed the recommended dosage, and seek out information about who
should not take the supplement.
- Work with a professional. Seek
out the services of a trained and licensed herbalist or naturopathic
doctor who has extensive training in this area.
- Watch for side effects. If
symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, or upset
stomach, occur, reduce the dosage or stop taking the herbal
supplement.
- Be alert for allergic
reactions. A severe allergic reaction can cause trouble breathing. If such
a problem occurs, call 911 or the emergency number in your area for help.
- Research the company whose
herbs you are taking. All herbal supplements are not created equal, and it
is best to choose a reputable manufacturer's brand. Ask yourself:
- Is the manufacturer involved
in researching its own herbal products or simply relying on the research
efforts of others?
- Does the product make
outlandish or hard-to-prove claims?
- Does the product label give
information about the standardized formula, side effects, ingredients,
directions, and precautions?
- Is label information clear and
easy to read?
- Is there a toll-free telephone
number, an address, or a website address listed so consumers can find out
more information about the product?
