Herbal supplements are not appropriate for
all people.
All supplements contain active ingredients
that may affect the functionality of the body
Verisimilar to prescribed and over the counter
medications, herbal supplements may trigger side events
For individuals with chronic diseases, herbal
supplement may be risky
Conferring with a physician is recommended
before taking supplements.
Unlike prescribed drugs, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is unauthorized to oversee the safety of
herbal supplements before they are sold to consumers
Although all supplements should contain the
ingredients demarcated on their labels, not all manufacturers
adhere to the policy.
A standardized herbal supplements with the
U.S. Pharmacopeia's "USP Dietary Supplement Verified"
seal should be the first consideration in purchasing a supplement
because it confirms that the supplement has met various manufacturing
requirements. (The standards are vital because they verify that
certain tests of cleanliness, uniformity, and other environmental
contaminants such as mercury, lead, other drugs are not contained
in the herbal supplement).
Despite the lack of information regarding herbal
supplements, consumers should look for the following information
on any product they are considering for purchase:
Name of the herbal supplement
Net quantity of contents (in example, 100
capsules)
A supplement facts label that details the
serving size, amount and active ingredient
A product disclaimer identifying that the
statements detailed on the herbal supplement have not been evaluated
by the Food and Drug Administration.
Other ingredients, such as herbs and amino
acids, for which no daily values have been established
The manufacturer or distributors name and
address
