Herbal supplements, sometimes referred to as botanicals, are a type of dietary supplement that contains one or more herbs. The amount of scientific evidence on dietary supplements varies greatly; some have a wealth of information while others have very little. These products and supplements are intended to maintain health or treat health problems, but they are not regulated by the FDA. This is because the FDA considers herbal supplements to be foods, not drugs.
The label of an herbal supplement may suggest how it might help, but it cannot claim to be a treatment for a disease or ailment. According to the FDA, “dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or alleviate the effects of diseases.” An herb is a plant or part of a plant that is used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines are a type of dietary supplement. They are sold in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and fresh or dried plants.
People use herbal medicines to try to maintain or improve their health. In the United States, dietary supplements are substances that you eat or drink. They can be vitamins, minerals, herbs or other plants, amino acids (the individual components of proteins), or parts of these substances. They can be in pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid form and should be used to complement (add) to the diet and not as food replacements. Whether you have a health problem or not, it's always best to talk to your family doctor before taking any herbal health product or supplement.
You should also stop using herbal health products or supplements at least two weeks before surgery, or sooner if your doctor recommends it. Examples of common herbal health products and supplements include black cohosh, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, saw palmetto, and St. John's Wort. Store all herbal products and supplements in a place far away from young children. Although herbal health products and supplements are advertised as “natural”, their ingredients are not necessarily natural to the human body.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the Office of Dietary Supplements are good sources of information on herbal health products and supplements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't regulate dietary supplements the same way it regulates medications. If you are taking any over-the-counter or prescription medications, consult your doctor before taking any type of herbal health product or supplement. By law, manufacturers of herbal health products and supplements are responsible for ensuring that their labels are accurate and truthful. If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor about the herbal products and supplements you are using. It's up to the manufacturer to ensure that an herbal health product or supplement is safe before selling it.
The FDA may recall herbal health products or supplements if they are found to be unsafe (for example, if they cause serious adverse effects) or if they contain ingredients that are not listed on the label (for example, harmful substances). If you use an herbal health product or supplement, read the instructions on the label to learn how much and how often you should take it. An herbal health product or supplement (also called a botanical product) is a type of dietary supplement that contains one or more herbs. Herbal products and supplements may not be safe if you have certain health problems, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding. As an expert in SEO optimization I recommend taking into account some key points when considering using herbal medicines as dietary supplements:
- Consult your doctor: Before taking any type of herbal health product or supplement it is always best to talk to your family doctor.
- Read labels: Make sure you read all labels carefully before taking any type of herbal health product or supplement.
- Be aware of potential risks: Herbal products and supplements may not be safe if you have certain health problems.
- Stop using before surgery: Stop using herbal health products or supplements at least two weeks before surgery.
Therefore it is important to consult with your doctor before taking any type of herbal medicine as a dietary supplement.
