Plants have been used therapeutically since before the beginning of recorded history. Taken in teas, tinctures, infusions, capsules or pills, herbal supplements are made from plants and plant parts. Many herbal supplements are useful, but others may have adverse effects, even when used in the dosages suggested on the labels. Use herbal supplements under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.
The Best-Selling Supplement
According to the American Botanical Council, cranberry supplements topped the list of best-selling herbal supplements in 2009. Indigenous to North America, cranberry has been used for hundreds of years to treat urinary tract and kidney disorders. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that cranberry supplements can reduce bacteria in the bladder and help to prevent urinary tract infections. Once a urinary tract infection has begun, however, cranberry supplements are likely not enough to eradicate it.
Other Best-Selling Supplements
Soy, saw palmetto, garlic, echinacea and ginkgo biloba were the next five best-selling supplements in 2009, the American Botanical Council reports. Soy is often used by women for symptoms of menopause, while saw palmetto is used by men to overcome enlargement of the prostate. Garlic is used for many health purposes, including as an immune system support and an anti-hypertensive. Echinacea is used to prevent colds. Ginkgo biloba is used to enhance brain function and forestall the cognitive decline often seen with aging. Consult a qualified health care provider before adding these or other herbal supplements to your daily regimen.
Potentially Dangerous Supplements
Herbal supplements are based on plants rather than chemicals, but anyone who has warned their children away from tasting potentially poisonous berries or stepped in poison ivy knows that not all plants are harmless. The Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center advises that some herbal supplements can cause serious adverse reactions. For example, comfrey, traditionally used for healing fractures, is toxic to the liver. Yohimbe, used for enhancing libido, has been responsible for seizures, kidney failure and even death.
Regulation of Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are not regulated under the same rules as pharmaceutical drugs. When a pharmaceutical drug goes to market, its manufacturer must file evidence of its safety and efficacy with the Food and Drug Administration. While manufacturers of herbal supplements are supposed to ensure that their products are safe, they are not required to submit proof before they reach the shelves. That puts the onus on consumers to research herbal supplements thoroughly before trying them.
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