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Herbal Supplements
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Published: August 17, 2006
Herbs have been used as remedies from the dawn of time and have a long history of providing health benefits. With the advance of health store chains, the rise of chronic illness and alternative medicine herbal supplements are more popular then ever. However, many people are unfamiliar with the precautions needed when purchasing and taking these supplements.
There are many factors to be considered when making the decision to take a herbal supplement.
An herb is a plant or a plant part. Most herbs are used either singularly or as a mixture for their scents, flavor, or therapeutic properties. However, herbal supplements are very different from actual herbs. Many supplements contain the label Natural on the bottle. This label can often be very misleading. First, many of these supplements may be enhanced or mixed with different vitamins, herbs or compounds that they normally wouldn't be mixed with naturally. These combinations may have harmful side effects on different individuals. Also, the exact dosage of the herbs isn't always labeled on the product. Often times, the supplement will have a higher dosage than that of a natural herb. This too can lead to health risks.
The United States Food and Drug Administration follows a different set of regulations for herbal supplements than it does for drugs. The FDA doesn't have any authority to approve herbal supplements before they are sold. As a result, consumer protection is very limited. Manufacturers often times print exaggerated claims and omit the dosage and actual ingredients that are contained in their supplements. Some herbal supplements may also be contaminated with harmful metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, and other toxic ingredients.
Another precaution to exercise before taking herbal supplements is to consult your physician. Certain herbal supplements can be dangerous when mixed with over the counter medications or prescription medicines. Others should also be avoided during pregnancy or before surgery. Few scientific studies have been conducted on herbal supplements and their effects and many consumers are not aware of the possible dangers that are associated with taking them. Most trained physicians have greater access to these studies and would be better able to assist an individual on which herbal supplements to take.
Safety should be a person's number one priority when deciding to take a herbal supplement. Safety being established, these supplements can be very useful. Certain supplements such as teas and ginseng have been found to be beneficial to boosting energy and health. The important thing to remember when taking herbal supplements is that they should be used as a supplement to health and not used as a sole source for achieving health. Herbal supplements should be taken with a combination of exercise and a healthy diet in order to achieve maximum results towards health and well being.
An herb is a plant or a plant part. Most herbs are used either singularly or as a mixture for their scents, flavor, or therapeutic properties. However, herbal supplements are very different from actual herbs. Many supplements contain the label Natural on the bottle. This label can often be very misleading. First, many of these supplements may be enhanced or mixed with different vitamins, herbs or compounds that they normally wouldn't be mixed with naturally. These combinations may have harmful side effects on different individuals. Also, the exact dosage of the herbs isn't always labeled on the product. Often times, the supplement will have a higher dosage than that of a natural herb. This too can lead to health risks.
The United States Food and Drug Administration follows a different set of regulations for herbal supplements than it does for drugs. The FDA doesn't have any authority to approve herbal supplements before they are sold. As a result, consumer protection is very limited. Manufacturers often times print exaggerated claims and omit the dosage and actual ingredients that are contained in their supplements. Some herbal supplements may also be contaminated with harmful metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, and other toxic ingredients.
Another precaution to exercise before taking herbal supplements is to consult your physician. Certain herbal supplements can be dangerous when mixed with over the counter medications or prescription medicines. Others should also be avoided during pregnancy or before surgery. Few scientific studies have been conducted on herbal supplements and their effects and many consumers are not aware of the possible dangers that are associated with taking them. Most trained physicians have greater access to these studies and would be better able to assist an individual on which herbal supplements to take.
Safety should be a person's number one priority when deciding to take a herbal supplement. Safety being established, these supplements can be very useful. Certain supplements such as teas and ginseng have been found to be beneficial to boosting energy and health. The important thing to remember when taking herbal supplements is that they should be used as a supplement to health and not used as a sole source for achieving health. Herbal supplements should be taken with a combination of exercise and a healthy diet in order to achieve maximum results towards health and well being.
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