In every pharmacy you visit, you will find various dietary supplements. Even on online stores, you will find a wide variety of herbal supplements. However, they have written, “made from natural ingredients” or “all-natural” on the pack but cause different side effects.

People might develop health risks by consuming those dietary supplements. On the other hand, herbal supplements are made from natural ingredients, but are they safe to consume? They are made from herbal plants but still cause side effects to your body.

The World Health Organization and China are constantly promoting the use of herbal supplements. But these also hurt the health of an individual. Most herbal medicines are not tested clinically.

Regulation on Herbal Supplements

The herbal medicines are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, the regulations on them are not as strict as the rest of the drugs. Some of the supplements fall under dietary supplements and do not even need to pass regulations.

Therefore, the approval of the FDA is not essential for herbal medicines. It means it is easy to launch a new medicine or supplement under the herbal category. If you are consuming them, you should make sure that they are free from contamination.

Check the list of the ingredients before consuming it. The regulations are necessary for herbal supplements because of the following:

• FDA has the power to remove useless products from the market
• The medicines must meet specific quality standards.

However, they still do not guarantee that the supplement is safe for every kind and age group.

Do You Need to Use Herbal Medicines?

Herbal products need doctors’ consultation before consuming them. Unexpected risks are always attached to these products. The medicines that have herbal ingredients have a substantial effect on the body.

The results can even be life-threatening. You need to consult with your doctor about whether the medicine is safe for you or not. In the below-mentioned conditions, you need to ask your doctor before taking the herbal medicines:

• You have a Surgery – A wide range of herbal supplements might affect the success rate of your surgery; that is why it is vital to consult your doctor about the same. They might result in increased bleeding and lead to less effectiveness of anesthesia.
• If You are on an OTC Medication – If you mix the herbal medicines with the medicines for blood pressure, blood thinning, it might generate serious trouble. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking pills.
• If You are Pregnant or Breastfeeding – During pregnancy or breastfeeding, the natural medication can cause harm to you, as well as your unborn or baby. So, get a prescription from your doctor before taking medicine.
• If Your Age is Less than 18 or more than 65 – A few of the supplements are not fit to use for children. And some of the medicines are not suitable for people who are above 65 years of age.

How to Get Correct Information About a Supplement?

Many of the manufacturers print false information on the pack of their supplements. Sometimes they skip the primary information or mislead us with incorrect information. It is because they are not required to submit the proof to the FDA.

As a consumer of the product, you need to cross-check the information and whether the product is safe for you or not. You should not rely on the information printed on the pack. To get the correct and reliable information about the product:

• Do Some Research – To get accurate and reliable information about the products, you need to research and read informative blogs online. Go with the scientific research and findings because they are more reliable.
• Consult Your Doctor or a Pharmacist – There is no doubt that a doctor or pharmacist has more knowledge about medicines. Therefore, consult your doctor and get proper consultation about the medication.
• Contact the Manufacturer – Another way to get reliable information about the products is by contacting the manufacturer. You can directly contact the company and ask them about the products and their claims.

Safety Measures While Using Supplements

If you want to consume or continue to consume herbal products or medicines, then you need to follow the following safety tips:

• Follow the Instructions – You should not exceed the usual dosage of the medication prescribed on the pack.
• Check Advisories and Alerts – The FDA maintains a website and posts the latest updates about different products on the website. They post updates such as adverse effects and reviews about the products.
• Choose Your Brand Wisely – When using a brand continuously, you might have done a lot of research on the same. So, you must stick to a brand on which you have conducted research.
• Keep track of Your Consumption – You must keep a track record of what medicines you are consuming and from how long you are consuming them.

Final Thoughts

Herbal supplements can be hazardous if you consume them without getting proper knowledge and research. The FDA does not ask about all the ingredients of those products. Therefore, you need to do your research on the same. Collect correct information and evidence for the same and then consume them.