And since approval from the Food and Drug Administration is not needed to produce and sell dietary supplements, there is no regulatory body proving their efficacy. Because of the lack of regulation, Elmer cautions that there can be many unknowns when it comes to selecting and purchasing herbal products. There's no way to know if a product actually contains what it says it does or that it's really producing any significant health effects. When purchasing herbal medicines, Elmer recommends carefully studying the packaging. Elmer explains research has shown that large discrepancies can exist in the actual amount of herbs contained in various brands.
Herbal products can also interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of other medications.
Select products with standardized labels listing potency. Select products used in positive clinical trials. Check expiration date. Take single herbal products as opposed to mixtures. Don't self-medicate without checking with your health care provider.