| Herbs and nutritional supplements provide the | | | | generally have the lowest chemical content. |
| essential nutrients that regular meals normally | | | | However, some manufacturers may falsely label |
| cannot provide. They are especially popular among | | | | their products organic. To stay safe, look for |
| working people and students, who seldom have | | | | organic supplements made or tested in California, |
| time to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals. | | | | the only state that imposes quality standards on |
| Herbal supplements have several advantages over | | | | organics. |
| synthetic ones, the first of which are safety and | | | | 3. Buy from trusted dealers |
| efficiency. The body absorbs natural herbs and | | | | As much as possible, buy your herbs and |
| nutritional supplements better than chemicals, | | | | nutritional supplements from health food stores or |
| providing more immediate results. Side effects are | | | | purchase directly from your doctor. Many doctors |
| also less likely because the herbs are easily | | | | carry professional health products that are |
| broken down. | | | | well-trusted in the medical community. If you buy |
| However, choosing the right herbal supplements | | | | from a grocery or drugstore, make sure they |
| can be difficult, especially since health products are | | | | have a return policy and have your doctor |
| not strictly regulated. Here are some tips for | | | | recommend a brand and dosage for you. |
| buying the right herbs and nutritional supplements. | | | | 4. Some herbs to avoid |
| 1. Choose the right form. | | | | Certain herbs found in health supplements have |
| Herbal supplements come in tablets, gel capsules, | | | | been linked to liver problems. High doses of |
| syrups, and drinkables such as tea and juice. Solid | | | | chaparral can cause severe hepatitis, particularly in |
| supplements are mostly designed for those who | | | | older patients. Other herbs known to cause liver |
| do not like the taste of herbs. However, liquid | | | | problems include comfrey, germander, Gordolobo |
| supplements are more efficient, since the body | | | | yerba tea, margosa oil, mate tea, mistletoe, |
| does not have to break them down to absorb | | | | pennyroyal, and skullcap. |
| the nutrients. Alcohol extracts usually work best. | | | | TIP: Dietary supplements are not strictly regulated |
| Tablets can be particularly difficult to absorb | | | | in the US, and only one out of five consumers |
| because they usually have strong binding | | | | have bought products that live up to their labels. |
| ingredients. | | | | To stay safe, look for herbs and nutritional |
| 2. Look for organic herbs. | | | | supplements that are GMP-compliant. This ensures |
| Organic herbs (sometimes called "wild" herbs) are | | | | that the product does not contain any additives |
| grown naturally and are less likely to contain | | | | such as sugar, starch, silica, or artificial flavors and |
| pesticides. While 100% natural herbs and nutritional | | | | colors. |
| supplements can be hard to find, organic products | | | | |