Herbal Supplements

More About Herbal Supplements:

Herbal supplements are available as teas, tablets, capsules, liquid extracts (also called tinctures), powders and in other forms, such as roots and leaves. Herbs are "natural" and you can pick and choose what to take yourself: - you don't need a prescription or a doctor's permission to try supplements. Herbal supplements are available as over-the-counter preparations and consumers are increasingly interested in their use for themselves and also for their pets.

Herbal supplements are being marketed as "dietary supplements" with little of the type of information needed to enable people to use these products properly - MyHealthMyWorld is helping to correct this. Herbal supplements taken for the prevention or treatment of an illness are by definition drugs - however in comparison to pharmaceuticals which contain a single active ingredient herbal supplements are radically different. They are generally less likely than conventional medicine to cause side effects, herbs nevertheless can be very potent.

Herbal supplements are not necessarily safer and more efficacious than prescription medicines. In order to get on the market, prescription drugs must be approved through a long and intricate process and determined to be safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not so with herbal and other dietary supplement. Herbal supplements are not subject to the years of study required to achieve FDA approval. But on the other hand, they generally are not as expensive as many prescription medications. Herbal supplements are deemed dietary supplements rather than drugs under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Herbal remedies are not standardized, it is wise to follow the manufacturer’s label directions for each product that you buy.

Herbal supplements that are produced may contain many compounds that have biological activities additional to or different from the active ingredients promoted by the supplement manufacturer.  Many are available in blended formulations for specific conditions - it is sensible to choose a known or highly regarded brand and to follow the maker's recommendations. That being said, herbal supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet and regular exercise, and should be seen as complimentary.

Herbal supplements are regarded as safe because they're labeled "natural." But many herbal supplements contain active ingredients that can harm you if taken with certain prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Herbal supplements are not risk free Complementary medicine for children is popular among parents - but it should always be carried out after studying possible counter indications or risks. However, herbal supplements are being recommended and prescribed more and more by naturopaths, homoeopaths, herbalists and all other health care practitioners. Yet few not been scientifically proven to be effective. This is a famous catch 22 - as no one is likely to invest the time or money in a clinical trial for a herbal remedy which are nearly always not commercially protectable through a patent or other exclusive license. The US and other Governments do however support a limited number of evidence based research studies. For example see NCCAM, National Institutes of Health. Eventually there will be sufficient scientifically tested and proven evidence via randomized, double-blind studies - so that it is simple as a user to know the effectiveness and side-reactions of al herbal remedies.

 The "best" herbal supplements are typically taken pure – without changing the physical form of the herb – while others are converted into capsules, drinks, salves, and creams. Herbal supplements are usually prescribed in liquid form or as dried herbs, although they can also come as powder or tablets.  Herbal supplements are also prescribed in tincture form and are the previously fresh herb in well preserved, highly concentrated form. Herbal supplements are applied directly to the skin as poultices - usually on rashes and wounds and as topical pain-relieving remedies. Since, herbal supplements are made from natural components, caution and common sense should be exercised when using these products. These products are extracted from various organic herbs, wild-crafted herbs, rainforest herbs, Chinese herbs, and Ayurvedic herbs. Recently, there has been some issues with heavy metal contamination of Chinese source mushroom  and other raw products. Where available we source only well controlled manufacturing - a general indication of this is by our MyWorld rating. We favor products that are produced under pharmaceutical conditions to ensure the highest degree of potency and consistency.

Herbal supplements are routinely used in China to treat the condition, but so far have not been generally accepted by conventional Western medicine. Herbal supplements are not subjected to the rigorous regulations and safeguards to which pharmaceutical products are required to conform. In our opinion, they are not a substitute but rather an enhancement of modern medicine and are intended to help with symptoms and aide in the bodies own ability to heal.

Among other uses, herbal remedies are used for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms which include depression, generalized anxiety, chronic insomnia, and dementia. Read our recommendations in our health articles for guidance on what does work our in our experience.  

Herbal supplements are effective and safe (if used appropriately), we appreciate what their use over many centuries has provided to Natural Health.

What People Are Saying And Quick Facts About Herbal Supplements: