| | | | | registered with the proper authority. Otherwise, |
| Many people nowadays are turning to "organics" | | | | they would pose more risk with these things |
| and "naturals" otherwise known as herbals. The | | | | being sold in the black market for a hefty sum. |
| rising popularity of herbal supplements has created | | | | We could ensure the quality and safety of herbal |
| a new fad if not a new health lifestyle. But before | | | | supplements if they get proper classification with |
| you join the bandwagon, here are some things | | | | the food and drug administration. Moreover, |
| you need to know about this mean, "green" | | | | people may be able to file the proper complaints |
| dietary supplementing machine. | | | | in the event a worsening of health condition is |
| What is the difference between a drug and a | | | | proven to be linked to the use of a particular |
| dietary supplement? | | | | herbal supplement. |
| According to the definition set by food and drug | | | | Is using herbal supplements worth the risk? |
| administrations in different countries, drugs are | | | | Yes. It cannot be discounted that many who |
| chemicals that can prevent, prolong the life, treat | | | | have tried herbal supplements experienced an |
| other effects of a health condition, improve the | | | | improvement in their health—whether this is |
| quality of life, and/or cure ailments and diseases, | | | | due to the herbals themselves or due to a |
| or alter the function of any part or chemicals | | | | placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen |
| inside the body. These drugs have approved | | | | the condition of an individual, then using them is |
| therapeutic claims. For example, paracetamol is a | | | | worth the risk. But of course, certain things must |
| drug given to bring down the body temperature in | | | | be considered before taking those herbal |
| fever. Ascorbic acid is indicated for the treatment | | | | supplements: |
| of scurvy. Iron supplements are given to treat | | | | Your doctor knows best. |
| mild cases of anemia. | | | | First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. |
| Herbal supplements are not classified as drugs but | | | | Ask him/her if taking a particular herbal |
| as dietary supplements. The main difference is | | | | supplement is safe given your health condition. |
| that they do not have approved therapeutic | | | | People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble or |
| claims unlike in the case of drugs. Moreover, | | | | malfunction, are usually not advised to take these, |
| dietary supplements could either contain vitamins, | | | | or at the minimum is to take these herbals in |
| minerals, herbals, or amino acids, all aimed to add | | | | minimum amounts. All substances pass through |
| to or supplement the diet of an individual. They | | | | the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered |
| are not intended to be taken alone as a substitute | | | | respectively. Kava, which is used to relieve people |
| to any food or medicine. | | | | from stress, has been pulled out from the |
| Most of the manufactured medicines we now | | | | Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets |
| have once came from animals and plants. Through | | | | because it contains substances that cause liver |
| the years, chemists isolated the life-saving or | | | | damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for |
| life-curing components and separated them from | | | | losing weight, contains chemicals with |
| the harmful ones. This lead to the further drug | | | | heart-inducing effects that can increase heart |
| research and drug development that lead to the | | | | rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and |
| production of a different variety of drugs for | | | | cause heart attacks in several documented cases |
| many ailments and conditions from synthetic | | | | by the American Medical Association. |
| sources. But still we have semi-synthetic drugs, as | | | | Follow the directions for use. |
| well as drug that more or less approximate more | | | | Never take more herbal supplements than what is |
| natural composition. Since herbal supplements are | | | | directed by the doctor or as instructed on the |
| made from a mixture of crude herbs reduced | | | | bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the |
| into powder or gel form, and later on packaged | | | | components of herbal supplements. While it is |
| as tablets and capsules, there is a possibility that | | | | perfectly safe for one individual to take in a |
| life-threatening or at least body chemistry-altering | | | | supplement of primrose oil capsules, another |
| components are still present, thus the expression | | | | person may be allergic to it. So, do not even think |
| of concern from the medical community. | | | | about downing one bottle of |
| Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal | | | | It has no approved curative effect. |
| supplements? | | | | No matter how the product pamphlet or the label |
| Yes. With the rising popularity of using and | | | | of the bottle sounds about how it has been found |
| consuming anything herbal or organic is the | | | | to be helpful in certain health conditions, these |
| proliferation of fake herbal supplements that | | | | herbal supplements are not therapeutic. So do not |
| threaten to endanger lives. If that's the case, then | | | | substitute these for the medications prescribed |
| why are herbal supplements given drug | | | | by your doctor for the treatment of certain |
| administration approvals? One way of ensuring the | | | | diseases, or for the maintenance of blood |
| safety of the people is to have all candidate | | | | pressure, lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol, |
| drugs, food, drinks, and dietary supplements | | | | and fight off infections. |