Only Human

Here's the whole story

As a future pill pusher, it irks me when people say "I hate pills... medicine is made from chemicals, I'd rather use organic things like herbals made from plants because they're natural." Herbal supplements have active ingredients that effect your body just as medications do. Just because it is herbal, it doesn't not equate to safe medication. This is a popular myth that I have to bust.

The reason drugs cost so much is because they have to go through extensive trials to make sure not only is it effective, but it is also SAFE. The FDA is responsible for food and drugs that are put on the market, but do not oversee "herbal supplements" so long as it is intended to supplement the diet and it is not a drug. Since Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), premarket safety evaluations were no longer required for herbals. What does that mean?

There are no guarantees of safety or efficacy when buying herbal supplements. Depending on the manufacturer, you may not be getting the amount of active ingredient indicated. Also, different parts of the plant may do different actions; are you getting the root, the stem, or the leaf?

How do you make an educated decision? 1) Look for standardized herbal supplements. -"USP Dietary Supplement Verified" seal indicates it has met specific manufacturer standards (including cleanliness and uniformity) -use www.consumerlab.com, which tests different herbal products

2)Avoid using small companies you've never heard of. If it sounds too good to be true, it may be.

3)Along with other medications, beware of multiple active ingredients (sometimes you don't know what dose you're getting of what ingredient). Use a single herb product.

4)Remember it's supposed to supplement your diet, they're not meant to cure diseases.

Hope that helps!