Herbal remedies contain many chemical ingredients, some helpful and others dangerous.
Herbs are sold dried, finely chopped, powdered, in capsule or liquid form. Products may include only the leaf, root, or another specific part, or they may contain the entire plant. Herbal remedies also are sold as a combination of different plants. They may be swallowed as tablets or capsules, brewed as teas, applied to the skin as gels, or added to bath water. Prescribed and OTC medicines may come from natural plants or herbs.