Why do people use herbs, in this day and age?
Modern medicine may offer many life-saving wonders-from drugs to CAT scans to organ transplants, but for maintaining daily well-being and for optimizing health naturally, more and more people are turning to herbs. In fact, alternative and complementary therapies are increasingly accepted by mainstream health practitioners: a survey of physicians found that more than 60 percent had recommended alternative therapies to their patients at least once in the preceding year, according to a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association1.
How do I know an herb is safe?
The most important thing is to make yourself an educated consumer and to find sources of information that you trust. While you may have heard that the herbal industry is unregulated, the fact is the Food and Drug Administration watches it very closely. The FDA reviews an herbal product's health claims, manufacturing processes, and potency. It also watches for reports of adverse effects and can stop the sale of products or issue warnings for cautious use; you'll find this information at Mountain Rose Herbs, along with a monthly FDA Updates column to help you make the safest, most educated decisions.
Also, the industry's largest trade association, the National Nutritional Foods Association, randomly tests the products of its member companies; these may display a seal of approval or a statement of membership on their products.
What's my role in safety?
Herbs may be natural, but they deserve respect. It's important that you take the correct dosage and follow any label directions; steer clear of products that make claims that sound too good to be true, such as diet-free weight loss, or a safe, legal high; check with your physician before stopping a prescription medication in order to try the herbal alternative; and let your health practitioner know all the herbs and medications you're taking, in case they're not compatible.
How do we know what we need?
Often, word-of-mouth referral is the way people hear about herbal products. If you're trying to learn even more and to make the smartest choices, there are many information resources available to you: articles can provide the latest research; books can serve as a handy home reference; and consulting a health care expert offers the most personalized answers. Experts can include licensed herbalists, naturopathic doctors, or physicians familiar with herbal treatment. The information resources brought together at Mountain Rose Herbs are among the most trusted in the field.
What forms do herbs come in? These are liquid herbal products. They're made by soaking a specific part of the herb in a solution that has been chosen to draw out the desired ingredients; often, the liquid is alcohol or glycerin. After a time, which can range from a few hours to several days, the liquid is strained and bottled. Capsules For these, the desired part of the herb is dried, powdered, and put in gelatin capsules. The manufacturer may add a concentrated extract of the herb's active ingredient to boost the capsule's potency to the desired level. Gelcaps These are sealed gelatin capsules that hold a liquid-either tincture or the liquid form of a concentrated extract of the herb's active ingredient. Tea Some herbal teas simply offer refreshment; others include blends of herbs designed to ease symptoms of PMS or menopause, or to help fight colds, for instance. The FDA prohibits manufacturers from making health claims on their teas, so you'll have to go by the names given to the blends, which suggest their herbal use. If you follow the directions carefully, an herbal tea can be a potent source of herbal compounds.
Does the form matter?
Well, it depends on the herb, so the most important thing is that your source of information addresses this question. Here's why it can matter: certain herbs maintain their chemical potency better in one form than in another (in general, tinctures have a longer shelf life); some people prefer tinctures because this liquid form is thought to be absorbed faster by the body; and some believe that the taste of an herb, whether from tincture or tea, contributes to its effectiveness-for example, some research suggests that the bitterness of echinacea may stimulate the immune system from the moment it is tasted.
How do I choose a particular product?
There are several ways: you might ask your herbalist for a specific product and brand recommendation. You might choose a product or brand recommended by an expert who seems trustworthy. Or you can make an educated choice based on a product's label and product information. Mountain Rose Herbs provides you with all the information provided on the label of each product we sell. You can also learn more about the manufacturer's philosophy and processes. A clear, detailed label is a good indication that the product is serious and well researched. Here's some of what you'll find and what it means:
- Contents
Starting next spring, the FDA will require product labels to list all contents in a product; many of the best manufacturers already do so, to help you make sure the product contains the right herb (look for its scientific name to be certain), and the right part of the plant, in the form you want, without ingredients you don't want. - Standardized
This means the amount of active ingredient has been measured at the stated level. For instance, "standardized to .3% hypericin." If the label doesn't say what has been standardized, however, it could be a gimmick. Some within the industry don't believe in standardization, but it's increasingly becoming the norm. - Contraindications/Cautions
These are the warnings of possible side effects, circumstances under which to avoid this product, and what not to do while taking the product. These are increasingly included, along with detailed dosage recommendations, in an effort to help consumers use herbs appropriately. - Expiration date
Although they're not required, these are more and more common. Most of the industry lists the date that is five years after the date of manufacture. Herbs of that age are thought to have lost their potency; in fact, the fresher the herb, the greater its potency. - Organic
Actually, there is no enforced national definition of this term, although the USDA is working on the matter. It may denote herbs grown without chemical sprays, or without chemical fertilizers, or in soil that has been kept organic for several years, or all of the above. You're best to call the manufacturer or check the information they post on this site (see how, below). - Natural
This term has no enforced definition either, so you'll have to check on the manufacturer's definition. - Vegetarian
The product was made without animal products, such as gelatin.
Because Mountain Rose Herbs wants to help you take responsible control of your own health, we provide you with the details behind all the products available here. To review the manufacturers' background, philosophy and procedures, just visit the "About Mountain Rose Herbs" pages of our Store.
Visit our store for fine herbal products.
1
"Why Patients Use Alternative Medicine," Journal of the American Medical Association, May 20, 1998, Vol 279, No 19, pp1548-1553.
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