Introduction
Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplement that contains herbsA
plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential
therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds,
stems, and roots., either singly or in mixtures. An herb
(also called a botanical) is a plant or plant part used for its scent,
flavor, and/or therapeutic properties.
Many herbs have a long history of use and of claimed health
benefits. However, some herbs have caused health problems for users.
This fact sheet contains points you should consider for your safety if
you use, or are thinking about using, herbs for health purposes. It
does not discuss whether herbs work for specific diseases and
conditions. To find out more about topics and resources mentioned in
this fact sheet, see "For More Information".
- It's important to know that just because an herbal supplement is
labeled "natural" does not mean it is safe or without any harmful
effects. For example, the herbs kava and comfrey have been linked to
serious liver damage.
- Herbal supplements can act in the same way as drugs. Therefore,
they can cause medical problems if not used correctly or if taken in
large amounts. In some cases, people have experienced negative effects
even though they followed the instructions on a supplement label.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing should be especially cautious about using herbal supplementsA type of dietary supplement that contains herbs, either alone or in mixtures., since these products can act like drugs. This caution also applies to treating children with herbal supplements.
- It is important to consult your health care provider before using
an herbal supplement, especially if you are taking any medications
(whether prescription or over-the-counter). Some herbal supplements are
known to interact with medications in ways that cause health problems.
Even if your provider does not know about a particular supplement, he
can access the latest medical guidance on its uses, risks, and
interactions.
- If you use herbal supplements, it is best to do so under the
guidance of a medical professional who has been properly trained in
herbal medicine. This is especially important for herbs that are part
of a whole medical systemA
complete system of theory and practice that has evolved over time in
different cultures and apart from conventional medicine. Examples of
whole medical systems include traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurvedic
medicine, homeopathy, and naturopathy., such as traditional Chinese medicineA
whole medical system that originated in China. It is based on the
concept that disease results from disruption in the flow of qi and
imbalance in the forces of yin and yang. Practices such as herbs,
meditation, massage, and acupuncture seek to aid healing by restoring
the yin-yang balance and the flow of qi. or Ayurvedic medicineA
whole medical system that originated in India. It aims to integrate the
body, mind, and spirit to prevent and treat disease. Therapies used
include herbs, massage, and yoga..
- In the United States, herbal and other dietary supplements are
regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as foods. This
means that they do not have to meet the same standards as drugs and
over-the-counter medications for proof of safety, effectiveness, and
what the FDA calls Good Manufacturing Practices.
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About Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements were defined in a law passed by Congress in 1994. A dietary supplementA
product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals,
amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement
the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling
requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not
drugs. must meet all of the following conditions:
- It is a product (other than tobacco) intended to supplement the
diet, which contains one or more of the following: vitamins; minerals;
herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; or any combination of the above
ingredients.
- It is intended to be taken in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form.
- It is not represented for use as a conventional food or as a sole item of a meal or the diet.
- It is labeled as being a dietary supplement.
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- The active ingredient(s) in many herbs and herbal supplements are
not known. There may be dozens, even hundreds, of such compounds in an
herbal supplement. Scientists are currently working to identify these
ingredients and analyze products, using sophisticated technology.
Identifying the active ingredients in herbs and understanding how herbs
affect the body are important research areas for the National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
- Published analyses of herbal supplements have found differences
between what's listed on the label and what's in the bottle. This means
that you may be taking less--or more--of the supplement than what the
label indicates. Also, the word "standardized" on a product label is no
guarantee of higher product quality, since in the United States there
is no legal definition of "standardized" (or "certified" or "verified")
for supplements.
- Some herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with
metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, microorganisms, or other
substances.
- There has been an increase in the number of Web sites that sell and
promote herbal supplements on the Internet. The Federal Government has
taken legal action against a number of company sites because they have
been shown to contain incorrect statements and to be deceptive to
consumers. It is important to know how to evaluate the claims that are
made for supplements. Some sources are listed below.
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For More Information
NCCAM Clearinghouse
The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)A
group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and
products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional
medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional
medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional
medicine. and NCCAM, including publications and searches of
Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. Examples of
publications include "Are You Considering Using CAM?" and "10 Things To Know About Evaluating Medical Resources on the Web." The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
E-mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The FDA oversees the safety of many products, such as foods
(including dietary supplements), medicines, medical devices, and
cosmetics.
Web site: fda.gov
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-463-6332
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), NIH
ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary
supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research,
sharing research results, and educating the public. Its resources
include publications and the International Bibliographic Information on
Dietary Supplements (IBIDS) database.
Web site: ods.od.nih.gov
E-mail:
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CAM on PubMed ®
A service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), PubMed contains
publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles
from scientific and medical journals. CAM on PubMed, developed jointly
by NCCAM and NLM, is a subset of the PubMed system and focuses on the
topic of CAM.
Web site: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/
CAM on PubMed: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews is a collection of
evidence-based reviews produced by the Cochrane Library, an
international nonprofit organization. The reviews summarize the results
of clinical trials on health care interventions. Summaries are free;
full-text reviews are by subscription only.
Web site: cochrane.org/reviews/
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
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NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not
intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your
primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions
about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of
any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. |
NCCAM Publication No. D190
Updated December 2006
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/
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