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“Natural” not always sure
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| Has anyone ever recommended that you take an herbal supplement for general health purposes or as an alternative to prescribed medication? An herb is a plant or part of a plant that is used for its fragrance, flavor or therapeutic properties. Herbal remedies are a type of dietary supplement, sold in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. People use herbal remedies to try to maintain or improve their health. Many people believe that products labeled “natural†are still safe and good for them, but that is not necessarily true. Herbal medicines do not have to pass the tests that medicines do. Certain herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious damage. Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications. If you are considering using any herbal medicine, get information about it from reliable sources first. And be sure to tell your health care provider about any herbal medications you are taking.
Not strictly regulated
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| Herbal supplements are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, but not as strictly as prescription or over-the-counter drugs. They belong to a category called food supplements. Dietary supplement manufacturers do not need FDA approval to sell their products, but they do need to ensure that their supplements are free of contaminants and that they are accurately labeled. They should not make any specific medical claims either. For example, a company cannot say, “This herb reduces the frequency of urination due to an enlarged prostate. The FDA can take action against companies that make false or unsubstantiated claims to sell their supplements. The FDA can take dangerous products off the market. However, the rules do not guarantee that herbal supplements are safe for anyone. Such products can present unexpected risks because many supplements contain active ingredients which can have a strong effect on the body.
Talk to a healthcare professional
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| Before taking a certain herbal supplement, it is important to discuss with a healthcare professional the possible side effects that might occur as a result of using the product. Some herbs can cause serious side effects when mixed with medications such as aspirin, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications. If you are pregnant, it is important to know that medicines that may be safe for you as an adult may harm your baby. If you are due to have surgery, be aware that any herbal supplement can affect the success of your procedure. Some can decrease the effectiveness of the anesthesia or cause dangerous complications, such as bleeding. An easy way to compare the ingredients of herbal supplements is to use the Dietary Supplement Label Database, available on the National Institutes of Health website, www.nih.gov. You can search for products by brand name, uses, active ingredient, or manufacturer.
Do your research
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| Manufacturers of herbal supplements are responsible for ensuring that any claims they make about their products are not false or misleading. But they are not required to submit this evidence to the FDA. So, before taking any type of herbal supplement, look for objective, research-based information to assess a product’s claims. When looking for information, ask your doctor or pharmacist first. Even if they are unfamiliar with a specific supplement, they may be able to point you to the latest medical recommendations regarding its uses and risks. You can also search for scientific research results. Two good sources are the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and the Office of Dietary Supplements. Both have websites to help consumers make informed choices about dietary supplements. When all else fails, contact the manufacturer. Ask to speak to someone who can answer questions, such as what data the company has to support product claims.
Always follow the instructions
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| Herbal remedies are not new, plants have been used medicinally for thousands of years. If you’ve discussed this with your health care provider and are ready to take a specific herbal supplement, be sure to play it safe. First and foremost, always follow the instructions. Do not exceed the recommended doses or take it for longer than recommended. Second, be sure to keep track of what you are taking. Write down what you take, how much for how long, and how it affects you. Stop taking the supplement if it is not effective or does not meet your intake goals. And choose your brand wisely. Stick to brands that have been tested by independent sources, such as ConsumerLab.com, US Pharmacopeia, and NSF International. The FDA maintains a list of supplements that are under regulatory review or have been reported to cause side effects, so check the FDA website regularly for updates.
Recognized by thousands of listeners each week, T. Glenn Pait, MD, began offering expert advice as a host of UAMS’s “Here’s Your Health†program in 1996. Dr. Pait began working at UAMS in 1994 and practicing medicine for over 25 years.
