Print This Page

Herbal Supplements: Basic Information

Herbal supplements have been in use in Eastern cultures for over two thousand years, although they probably didn’t use caplets and tablets. People have come to make many beneficial claims about herbal supplements in their various forms.

Thus it is that herbal nutrition supplements have rapidly gained ground in the West now that their popularized beneficial effects have become more accepted. Some of the claims about herbal dietary supplements include memory improvement and retention, healthier skin, and even increased energy.

Herbal Dietary Supplement and the FDA

Herbal supplements fall under the dietary supplement category which means they’re not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Naturally, this influences how herbal supplements are sold and handled. The good news is that pharmaceutical companies cannot charge insane prices for ingredients that grow in our backyards.

Some companies may be attempting to control and benefit from the herbal dietary supplement market, but there’s a strong grassroots movement to prevent that. The philosophy is that herbal supplements should remain in the public sector. The bad news is that there’s very little consistency between products from different manufacturers.

Some herbal supplement products are genuine. Others just say herbal nutrition supplement on the label. This puts the burden on the consumer who needs to find out if the company making the herbal supplement is legit.

Herbal Supplements With Medications

Herbal supplements may be all natural, but who knows if they may contain medications. Some of these medications may interact with other medications. Pharmacists know how drugs interact with herbal supplements. So don’t be afraid to ask.

If there are indeed medications in a herbal supplement, they can create a risk for patients with underlying medial conditions. It is best to educate yourself before downing a few pills. Don’t be afraid to ask a certified professional about any supplements you’re considering.

The lack of FDA support prevents herbal supplements from making any claims. FDA-approved products can claim to treat a condition because they have undergone strict and extensive medical trials that offer conclusive proof.

Claims about herbal supplements on the other hand have come from rumor and personal experiences rather than established facts. Be careful of claims you hear or read about herbal supplements. On the other hand, some facets of these public claims may turn out to be true.

For the most part, it comes down to individual users to decide if they should use the herbal supplements that seem to promise improved health. With the use of the internet, you can easily find out what reputation each herbal supplement has and what it is supposed to accomplish, whether handling a cold or strengthening the immune system.

The most important thing is to find out whether a particular product will play nice with any medications one is taking.

The previous article is on Nutritional Supplements.

Always consult with your doctor or a certified professional trainer before undertaking any exercises, treatments, or dietary supplements.

Other wiki resources:  herbal supplements; amino acid; raw food supplements; prenatal vitamins