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Do You Take Herbal Supplements?

Do you think of the herbal supplement section at Whole Foods as the candy aisle for your health? While there's certainly plenty of evidence that natural is best, some health experts fear that we might be a little too gaga over the latest herbal tonics and potions--to the detriment of our health ... In general, however, health experts warn that we shouldn't take herbal supplements lightly. Some can interfere with important medications you might be taking, others are just plain dangerous.

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Featured

 Herbal Supplements: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly

Though widespread use of herbal medicines is relatively new to North America, these same compounds have been prescribed for centuries in China as well as England and Germany, where they are standardized and closely regulated (a luxury we, unfortunately, do not yet have in America). Herbs are active compounds—not merely harmless plants without a purpose. If your capsule, pill, or tea has in it what the label says it does, the herb can effect change in your body. But there is also a downside to this action. Many of us have become so relaxed about munching down herbs that we don’t think of (or know) the ramifications of our munching. The biggest area of concern involves surgery. Did you know that many—if not most—herbs could cause surgical complications?

Previously Featured

Do herbal medicines improve our health?

About a quarter of us use them and it’s a multimillion-pound market. But do any of them work? We look at the evidence.

Do herbal supplements contain what they say on the label?

Although herbal products are often perceived as ‘natural” and therefore safe, many different side effects have been reported owing to active ingredients, side effects caused by contaminants, or interactions with drugs.

Herbal medicines can have dangerous side effects, research reveals

They can cause kidney or liver damage, and are sometimes adulterated with steroids, pesticides, antibiotics or harmful metals.

Herbal supplement use: Not telling your doctor can be dangerous

Use of herbal supplements without your doctor's knowledge can result in major complications with your medications or surgery, including increased risk of bleeding, poor wound healing, interaction with anesthetics and interference with blood thinners, according to several medical associations...

Herbal Supplements Are Often Not What They Seem

Consumer advocates and scientists say the research provides more evidence that the herbal supplement industry is riddled with questionable practices. Industry representatives argue that any problems are not widespread.

Herbal Supplements: Myths Smoked

Herbal Supplements Have Changed The World... Herbal supplements get a bad rap. Many of them have grown out of century old remedies. Willow bark for headaches gave rise to Aspirin, arguably one of the best medicines of all time. Very potent therapies for diseases like cancer and diabetes have also grown out of the Pacific Yew Tree and chinese remedies respectively. (Just a reminder, hemlock and heroine also have natural origins; not all things natural are good.)

Herbal Supplements: Why To Check With a Healthcare Provider First

Many herbs aren’t backed by strong scientific evidence showing they’re safe or effective in people. And some herbal remedies can interact badly with certain medications or have unintended consequences for people living with certain conditions.

Herbs and Supplements: Are They Safe? Do They Work?

Herbs and supplements are considered safe till proven otherwise but reporting adverse effects is problematic. So, one major difference, and I can't stress this enough, is that dietary supplements are considered safe until proven unsafe. They don't have to go through any clinical trials. They aren't approved by the FDA. Whatever is in the bottle is considered safe unless someone has an adverse effect and reports it. There is nothing that requires a customer to report an unexpected side effect, unlike with prescription medications where the medical providers have to report all the adverse effects that occur.

Natural or no-no's? 4 herbal supplements your doctor hates

More than half of Americans have taken a dietary supplement, and it's easy to see why. Popping a pill is painless. Supplements don't require a prescription from a doctor. And there's always some hale bloke out there who will vouch for the miraculous health improvements he experienced while taking this or that herbal remedy. Plus, herbals often seem safer than drugs and other treatments. If a supplement can be found on stores' shelves alongside healthy foods, it must be wholesome, right? Wrong. Of the 30,000 products rated by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent research and publishing organization, less than one percent earned a top score for safety, effectiveness, and quality.

Neither Herbal Nor Supplements

Products labeled "ginseng," "echinacea," and "ginkgo biloba" often contain no trace of these substances, according to an investigation announced today.

The Public Health Impact of Herbs and Nutritional Supplements

Dietary supplement use has increased exponentially in recent years despite the lack of regulatory oversight and in the face of growing safety concerns.

What's wrong with herbal remedies

They might not contain what they claim—and probably don't work, either

Why Do People Use Botanicals?

You are not alone in your interests in botanical medicines. In the U.S., botanical medicines are one of the most popular and rapidly growing of all complementary therapies. In 2010, the global retail sale of botanical dietary supplements amounted to more than $25 billion, according toNutraceuticals World. With this buying power, the more the American public knows about botanicals, the more it can influence good government regulations and reward manufacturers who produce quality products.

Resources

6 popular herbal supplements linked to potential liver risks

Herbal supplements have recently become very popular due in part to the social media platform TikTok. However, many people have been hospitalized after taking supplements such as turmeric in high doses due to liver damage.

BadGut.org

Herbal supplements are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Herbal medicines come in many forms including liquids, tinctures, pills, capsules, tablets, teas and loose herbs. It is generally believed that herbs will do no harm since they are ‘natural’ substances. Although many herbal remedies have shown no ill effects in studies, some others should be used with caution. About 25% of prescription drugs contain active ingredients from plants i.e. digoxin, morphine. Extracts or parts of plants used for medicinal purposes fall under the herbal remedy category. However, lack of quality control in the growing, harvesting and processing of herbal medicines mean that they may not even contain any active ingredients.

StatPearls

Herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines are derived from plants or botanicals and are used to maintain health or treat diseases. Herbal supplements are products specifically used for internal use. A large number of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications originate from plant derivatives. They differ from herbal supplements because they use Food and Drug Administration–regulated purified ingredients.