Products made from botanicals, or plants, that are used to treat diseases or to maintain health are called herbal products, botanical products, or phytomedicines. A product made from plants and used solely for internal use is called an herbal supplement. Many
prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines are also made from plant products, but these products contain only purified ingredients and are regulated by the FDA. Herbal supplements may contain entire plants or plant parts. Herbal supplements come in all forms: dried, chopped, powdered, capsule, or liquid, and can be used in various ways, including: Swallowed as pills, powders, or tinctures Brewed as tea Applied to the skin as gels,
lotions, or creams Added to bath water The practice of using herbal supplements dates back thousands of years. Today, the use of herbal supplements is common among American consumers. However, they are not for everyone. Because they are not subject to close scrutiny by the FDA, or other governing agencies, the use of herbal supplements remains controversial. It is best to consult your doctor about any symptoms or conditions you have and to discuss the use of herbal supplements. The FDA and herbal supplementsThe FDA considers herbal supplements foods, not drugs. Therefore, they are not subject to the same testing, manufacturing, and labeling standards and regulations as drugs. You can now see labels that explain how herbs can influence different actions in the body. However, herbal supplement labels can't refer to treating specific medical conditions. This is because herbal supplements are not subject to clinical trials or to the same manufacturing standards as prescription or traditional over-the-counter drugs. For example, St. John's wort is a popular herbal supplement thought to be useful for treating depression in some cases. A product label on St. John's wort might say, "enhances mood," but it cannot claim to treat a specific condition, such as depression. Herbal supplements, unlike medicines, are not required to be standardized to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. Some manufacturers may use the word standardized on a supplement label, but it does not necessarily mean the same thing from one manufacturer to the next. Precautions when choosing herbal supplementsHerbal supplements can interact with conventional medicines or have strong effects. Do not self-diagnose. Talk to your doctor before taking herbal supplements.
What are some of the most common herbal supplements?The following list of common herbal supplements is for informational purposes only. Talk to your doctor to discuss specific your medical conditions or symptoms. Do not self-diagnose, and talk to your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.
It is important to remember that herbal supplements are not subject to regulation by the FDA and, therefore, have not been tested in an FDA-approved clinical trial to prove their effectiveness in the treatment or management of medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and discuss herbal supplements before use. What are some reasons not to take herbal medicines?Who shouldn't use herbal supplements?. You're taking prescription or OTC medications. Some herbs can cause serious side effects when mixed with medications such as aspirin, blood thinners and blood pressure medications.. You're pregnant or breastfeeding. ... . You're having surgery. ... . You're younger than 18 or older than 65.. Can herbal medicine be harmful?Just like conventional medicines, herbal medicines will have an effect on the body, and can be potentially harmful if not used correctly. They should therefore be used with the same care and respect as conventional medicines.
What are the challenges in monitoring the safety of herbal medicines?The current challenges in Pharmacovigilance of herbal medicines includes ADR terminology not covered in Ayurvedic curriculum, drug safety problems, signal detection, lack of quality assurance/quality control, lack of information about active principles and with regard to the mechanisms of action of herbal active ...
How can herbal medicine be misused?Misuse refers to patient overdosing and concomitant drug consumption. Kava, for example, is used as an anxiolytic and a mild tranquilizer in dosing ranging from 60 to 120mg of kava pyrones daily.
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