To Go or Not to Go Herbal, that is the Question…

Many people nowadays are turning to “organics” and “naturals”
otherwise known as herbals. The rising popularity of herbal
supplements has created a new fad if not a new health lifestyle.

But before you join the bandwagon, here are some things you need
to know about this mean, “green” dietary supplementing machine.

What is the difference between a drug and a dietary supplement?

According to the definition set by food and drug administrations
in different countries, drugs are chemicals that can prevent,
prolong the life, treat other effects of a health condition,
improve the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and diseases,
or alter the function of any part or chemicals inside the body.

These drugs have approved therapeutic claims. For example,
paracetamol is a drug given to bring down the body temperature
in fever. Ascorbic acid is indicated for the treatment of scurvy.

Iron supplements are given to treat mild cases of anemia.

Herbal supplements are not classified as drugs but as dietary
supplements. The main difference is that they do not have approved
therapeutic claims unlike in the case of drugs. Moreover, dietary
supplements could either contain vitamins, minerals, herbals, or
amino acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the diet of an
individual.

They are not intended to be taken alone as a substitute to any
food or medicine.

Most of the manufactured medicines we now have once came from
animals and plants. Through the years, chemists isolated the
life-saving or life-curing components and separated them from the
harmful ones.

This lead to the further drug research and drug development that
lead to the production of a different variety of drugs for many
ailments and conditions from synthetic sources. But still we have
semi-synthetic drugs, as well as drug that more or less approximate
more natural composition.

Since herbal supplements are made from a mixture of crude herbs
reduced into powder or gel form, and later on packaged as tablets
and capsules, there is a possibility that life-threatening or at
least body chemistry-altering components are still present, thus
the expression of concern from the medical community.

Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?

Yes. With the rising popularity of using and consuming anything
herbal or organic is the proliferation of fake herbal supplements
that threaten to endanger lives.

If that’s the case, then why are herbal supplements given drug
administration approvals? One way of ensuring the safety of the
people is to have all candidate drugs, food, drinks, and dietary
supplements registered with the proper authority.

Otherwise, they would pose more risk with these things being sold
in the black market for a hefty sum. We could ensure the quality
and safety of herbal supplements if they get proper classification
with the food and drug administration.

Moreover, people may be able to file the proper complaints in the
event a worsening of health condition is proven to be linked to the
use of a particular herbal supplement.

Is using herbal supplements worth the risk?

Yes. It cannot be discounted that many who have tried herbal supplements
experienced an improvement in their health—whether this is due to the
herbals themselves or due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not
worsen the condition of an individual, then using them is worth the
risk.

But of course, certain things must be considered before taking those
herbal supplements:

Your doctor knows best.

First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if
taking a particular herbal supplement is safe given your health
condition.

People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually
not advised to take these, or at the minimum is to take these herbals
in minimum amounts.

All substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and
filtered respectively.

Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out
from the Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it contains
substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used
for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that
can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and cause
heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical
Association.

Follow the directions for use.

Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by the doctor
or as instructed on the bottle.

Each individual reacts differently to the components of herbal supplements.

While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a supplement of
primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it.

So, do not even think about downing one bottle of It has no approved curative
effect.

No matter how the product pamphlet or the label of the bottle sounds about
how it has been found to be helpful in certain health conditions, these
herbal supplements are not therapeutic. So do not substitute these for the
medications prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of certain diseases,
or for the maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and
cholesterol, and fight off infections.