Herbal- and plant-derived remedies are the most popular form of self-medicating in the world, according to the World Health Organization. To figure out if an herbal supplement is working for you, take one supplement at a time. Keep daily notes of how much you take, when you take it and how the herbal supplement affects your body. Write down both intended and side effects.
FDA Approval
You should know, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not have to give their approval before manufacturers put herbal supplements on the market. Manufacturers can place statements on the packaging claiming herbal supplements address a certain health condition or nutrient deficiency, as long as an accompanying disclaimer appears. The FDA is responsible for monitoring an herbal supplement after it's available to consumers. It can question and sanction a manufacturer and remove a product from store shelves.
GMP
Although the FDA does not need to approve an herbal supplement before it comes out on the market, manufacturers must follow what are known as "good manufacturing practices." GMP maintains quality standards and processing consistency. The herbal supplement can only be made with edible ingredients that are contaminant-free. It also ensures that the percentage of each ingredient listed is actually present in the supplement itself.
Label
The label of each product is required by the FDA to list specific information. Expect to see the name of the supplement, a list of ingredients, the amount in the bottle, the serving size and any active ingredients. The complete address of the manufacturer, or distributor, also appears on the label should you have any questions.
Legitimacy
If manufacturers can put unsubstantiated claims on an herbal supplement label, how do you know if their claims are true? Due diligence on your part can go a long way to discover the legitimacy of an herbal supplement for a specific condition. Talk to a health professional or pharmacist about dosages, scientific evidence and risks. The U.S. Federal Government created the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine to provide factual information about herbal remedies to the public. Many articles are available in both English and Spanish.
Contraindications
Herbal supplements can react negatively with certain medications and health conditions. Anti-depressants and blood thinners are just two types of drugs that interact with a number of herbal supplements including St. John's wort and feverfew. Your daily regimen of herbal supplements may need to be disrupted before you have surgery. They may decrease the effect of anesthetics; as well as, alter your bloods pressure and coagulating abilities during the operation.
Member Comments