Herbal supplements may become even more popular as new safety regulations are implemented, but are they right for you? That depends on the herb, your current health and your medical history.
Herbal supplements have active ingredients that can affect how your body functions, just as over-the-counter and prescription drugs do. Herbal supplements may be particularly risky for certain individuals, and herbal supplement labels are often vague, confusing and of little help when it comes to making a selection. If you're considering herbal supplements or other dietary supplements, educate yourself about any products you intend to use before purchasing them and talk to your doctor about any supplements you're considering taking.
You can expect certain information to be included on the labels of all herbal supplements, which should help you understand what's inside the packaging. This information includes:
- The name of the herbal supplement, such as St. John's wort
- The net quantity of contents, for example, 60 capsules
- In certain cases, a disclaimer: "This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
- A Supplement Facts panel, which includes serving size, amount and active ingredient
- Other ingredients, such as herbs and amino acids, for which no daily values have been established
- The name and address of manufacturer, packer or distributor
Manufacturers typically refer to herbal products by their common name and the part of the plant used to make the herbal supplement, such as root, stem or leaf. If you don't understand anything on an herbal supplement's label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for clarification.
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