Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies pre-date history. Using botanicals to treat and prevent illness, known as herbal medicine or alternative medicine, is practiced by as much as 80% of the world’s population. In fact, in China and a few other countries, herbal medicine is considered primary health care as it’s been in use for thousands of years.
Ancient Herbal Remedies
One overwhelming fact about herbal remedies is that it is part of a multi-billion-dollar industry with very little regulation or oversight. Regular prescription and over the counter drugs are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and before any are given the FDA stamp of approval they go through years of clinical trials and testing. Herbal medicines have a lighter degree of regulation by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. In this Act, herbs were reclassified as dietary supplements rather than food additives. It forbids manufacturers from making unreasonable health claims but it also makes it the FDA’s responsibility to prove that an herbal product is unsafe for consumption whereas the manufacturers of prescription and over the counter drugs have to prove their product is safe and effective towards its claims of benefits before it can be marketed. Herbal medicine manufacturers have a wide berth to market their products so consumers must be aware of the claims being made.
Research the herbal product before you purchase it
Don’t be a Target
Because of the lack of real regulation of the herbal remedy market, herbal product manufacturers can target consumers that are desperate for their products. They target people who have chronic or incurable health problems. Why? Because these people have nowhere else to turn and the traditional methods of treatment are not helping. You should take special precautions and do your research before purchasing any herbal products if you are suffering from any of the following:
Just remember the old saying, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Honestly, if there were any one herbal product on the market that could cure ANY of the above diseases it would be the most popular product in the world and not some product that is being hawked on a late night infomercial.
What is Alternative medicine?
Protect Yourself from Fraudulent and Harmful Claims
People who suffer from chronic and incurable diseases have to protect themselves from fraudulent claims. I suffer from a couple chronic diseases (more about that here) and I would try anything, within reason, if I though it would help my situation. But I’m also a pretty savvy consumer now and rarely buy into “snake oil” pitches like I did when I was first diagnosed. I’m not claiming that ALL herbal remedies are bad for you. I truly believe in the power behind natural health. I just want the you, the consumer to take precautions against fraudulent and harmful claims. This is what I have learned about herbal remedies and supplements:
Too much can harm you – There is a reason why the FDA requires a “nutritional facts” with % Daily Values on all products that claim to have nutritional value. As a consumer, it’s your responsibility to make sure that the nutritional products you consume meet your dietary needs and to understand that too much of any component can be harmful. Example, it’s been documented that large doses of vitamin A over long periods can reduce bone density and may cause liver damage and birth defects.
Drugs don’t mix – 25% of all pharmaceutical grade drugs in the US are made with natural herbs but some herbs, like some medicines, cannot be taken together. Some herbal medicines may seem harmless for treating a simple ailment but may cause serious problems if taken with other medications. Example, Ginkgo biloba can cause excessive bleeding if taken with aspirin or other blood thinning medications.
Manufacturers and Labels lie – Since there is little regulation concerning the production and marketing herbal medicines, and since warning labels are voluntary on these products, the consumer must approach these products with a “buyer beware” attitude. Would you be surprised to learn that many herbal supplements don’t even contain the ingredients they claim?
Before you make any herbal remedy purchases, do your due diligence and research the product and the manufacturer’s claims about the product. Check out the resources from the FDA and from Consumerlab.
