Previously limited research into the effectiveness of herbal therapies is expanding. Some studies of common herbal remedies indicate perhaps some symptomatic relief of some problems but no reversal of certain conditions. Lack of high therapeutic potency makes many herbs more useful for long-term treatment of mild or chronic complaints than for rapid healing of acute illnesses. The most authoritative answers come from the German Commission E, a regulatory body that has regularly evaluated safety and efficacy on the basis of scientific literature for more than 20 years. Their publication, The Complete German Commission E Monographs , translated by The American Botanical Council, has established indications and dosage recommendations for over 300 herbal products.
Experts offer tips on how to buy the safest and most effective herbal remedies possible.
Standardization gives the best assurance that a known minimum level of one or more major active ingredients is present, in amounts sufficient to produce a desired effect. This, however, is according to the manufacturers' standards, since no national standard exists. Other liquid extracts that contain herbs in vinegar or glycerin instead of alcohol are of less quality than the alcohol based tinctures. Extracts also come in freeze-dried preparations, which are lesser in quality than either standardized extracts or tinctures. They are still far superior, however, to air-dried whole herbs.