This has been happening with St. John s Wort, when synthetic chemicals are added. Also, herbs contain natural chemical properties, which provides their healing qualities and potential risk. Thus, people with high blood pressure shouldn t use the Chinese root, Ma Huang. And if you re taking St. John s Wort, don t use it with a pharmaceutical antidepressant, such as Paxil or Prozac. Of course, a diluted herb with little potency won t hurt you nor will it help you.
Herbs can differ enormously , depending on how and where they are grown, harvested and processed.
The herb business is now a four billion dollar industry, and very aggressive. Remember, too, being somewhat free of FDA regulation, herb companies have more freedom to be dishonest. They shouldn t be. There are thousands of plant species containing scientifically proven healing properties. Interestingly, the drug companies are finally waking up.