Herbal Supplements : Weeding Out The Good From The Bad

Are Herbal Supplements Safe?

Herbal ‘natural’ drugs are a huge market. From the acai berry to St. John’s Wort; for every ailment there seems to be a herbal solution. Yet what many people don’t realise is that herbal drugs are not subjected to the same trials and tests as those considered medicines. This means that a drug could cause unwanted side effects or more often than not, do absolutely nothing at all.

The problem is that people are very easily persuaded by products cited as being ‘herbal’ or ‘natural’. They believe that because something is a naturally occurring product of the earth, that it can’t possibly do any harm. Of course, this is quite ridiculous. There are many flowers and plants that are poisonous or even lethal to humans and other animals. For example, castor oil, a natural and very healthy product, is made from the castor bean – one of the deadliest plants on earth. One castor bean could kill an adult human in minutes. Of course, the poisons are removed from the oil but this fact makes it pretty clear that natural does not always mean safe.

Products that are safe and even health giving in recommended doses can become harmful if too much of the product is consumed. For example, acai berry side effects are largely unheard of since the acai berry is a safe, nutrient rich fruit. However, there are many vitamins that become harmful if certain quantities are devoured, meaning that those who consume an acai berry supplement could find themselves experiencing acai berry side effects should they not follow the instructions, or they take the supplement in combination with vitamin pills or other similar products.

Protecting Yourself

So what can you do to ensure any herbal products you purchase are both safe and effective?

First of all, avoid any products that make outrageous claims. No product can make you lose 3 stone in 3 days, nor can they cure cancer or halt the signs of aging. If they did do any of these things you would have heard about them already – they would not be sat in an unassuming corner of a local chemists or ‘health food’ store.

The acai berry in particular, while a genuine product, has often been packaged and sold by manufacturers happy to lie about its abilities. In many of these cases, the product that is being sold will contain little, if any of the acai berry itself. Often the product contains nasty chemicals that can cause dodgy side effects – this is where rumours about acai berry side effects stem from, when in fact it is not the acai berry that is causing such reactions.

You should also read the label very carefully. Does it warn of any side effects and does it provide clear instructions for consumption? Almost everything we put inside our bodies is able to cause side effects of some persuasion. Therefore if a label does not state any, it may well not have been tested properly. It should also state whether or not it is safe for consumption by pregnant women or people with chronic conditions, and it should advise you to see your doctor if you are on any medication.

It’s also worth ensuring that the manufacturer is one with a trustworthy history. Considering that it is so easy for someone to create and sell a herbal product, it is highly advisable to purchase products that have been formulated and manufactured by a reputable company.

And finally, talk to the pharmacist or even your doctor. They should be able to advise you on ingredients that work, and ingredients that don’t, ensuring that any herbal product you choose to buy should be both safe, and effective.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of Which Acai Berry? James writes on a number of different topics including health and fitness.