According to industry reports there are 18 million adults today (with numbers showing an exponential rise) who are on some form of herbal therapy. With this kind of surge in popularity, there are of course issues of safety and efficacy, which are coming up in the medical fraternity. For instance, when a herbal supplement is marked ‘100% natural’ how can a  consumer be 100% sure of its purity, efficacy and safety? Though people ‘presume’ that they are safe, scientific research done with some of the herbal supplements show that there are traces of harmful chemicals and preservatives used, which could reduce the efficacy of the product as well as result in side effects.

Another example could be when herbal supplements are consumed during weight loss programs. With no industry regulations monitoring its quality, how can the consumer be sure that there are no ‘fillers’ like starch, etc in them? One of the things that one can do is to go by the reputation of the manufacturer, scan through product reviews by actual users on the net and consult a physician regarding the effects and side effects of the contents of the product. Believing in celebrity endorsements would be one of the most ignorant things to do. With so many stories that go around talking about scams and hoaxes pulled by herbal companies, one needs to be extra cautious while choosing a brand of herbal supplement, whether for using on your hair or skin or even consuming.

Since there is no official standardization that is followed in the manufacture of herbal products, it could well be possible that the same ingredient, in varying quantities, is used in multiple products. So, if a consumer is having more than one product at a time, it could result in an overdose of the ingredient with dangerous consequences. So, if you are thinking of replacing your allopathic medicines by herbal products, you have to ensure that the ingredients have some kind of assured quality standard, and the maker is reputed, not any small company, wanting to make a quick buck. Without any back up of scientific studies or trials, you need to practice great caution while buying herbal supplements. Here are some tips to play safe:

• In the absence of any safety study it is best to avoid herbal products if you are pregnant of breast-feeding your infant.

• It is best to avoid giving herbal products to children below 3 years of age. Never give any herbal product to your child without consulting your pediatrician.
• In case of serious medical conditions or for treating chronic illnesses, avoid self-medication with herbal products.
• Buy herbal supplements, that clearly display the maker’s name, physical address, date of manufacture and expiry and batch number.
• The product must mention which part of the plant has been used in the medicine – roots, bark, flower or leaves.
• The product labeling must include information regarding all the ingredients, including additives used and the individual quantities.