Botanical Dietary Supplements
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (1994) has ruled that before a botanical can be classified as a dietary supplement, it must:
Be intended to supplement the diet.
- Contain one or more dietary ingredient like vitamins, or their constituents.
- Be intended for use in oral form such as tablets, capsules liquid or powder.
- Be labeled on the front that it is intended as a dietary supplement.
Many herbal remedies meet these criteria. They are also packaged and sold as teas and infusions, tinctures and extracts, and are becoming increasingly popular in western countries, being used to relieve mild conditions instead of what is seen as harsher chemical alternatives.
For instance, ginger in various forms is used to combat travel and morning sickness because it does not make the user drowsy or give them a dry mouth as do some other over-the-counter or prescription drugs. It can be taken as a tea, a tablet or in the form of a lolly (sweet). There are many herbal or botanical dietary supplement products on the market, and some claim to help mental ability, while others are said to increase strength or energy, help you sleep, or cope with stress. Many of them are expensive, so make sure you really do need the product before you buy it.
If you have a disease or are on medication of any kind and wish to try an herbal remedy, it is very important to consult a knowledgeable health professional before doing so. Some herbal and botanical dietary supplement remedies have been shown to react adversely with medical prescriptions and chemical substances.
Many people accept herbal medications as safe because they are natural, but this is not necessarily so. Many plants are poisonous, or may have serious side effects or give allergic reactions when taken by susceptible individuals. One such case is bee pollen. Just as you can be allergic to bee stings without knowing it (if you've never been stung); and if that is the case, an allergy to bee pollen may be present. While many herbal preparations can be useful, you should always approach herbal and botanical dietary supplement products with caution. It is better to be safe than sorry.
The information in this article is for information only. It should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, nor should it be used in any way for medical advice. Always consult the appropriate medical professional if you have a medical condition.
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