Herbal dietary supplements are a growing segment in natural health because more and more people are getting interested in improving their health. Dietary supplements have suffered their share of bad press when the occasional product has produced bad effects. While rare, this is a true concern that anyone wanting to take dietary supplements should consider. It is very important to do your research and find one of the excellent supplements that are on the market.
Dietary supplements encompass everything from amino acids that bodybuilders may use to increase their muscle mass to vitamins and herbal remedies. The FDA does not regulate these supplements, so some companies try to get away with products that do not do what they promise. A good rule of thumb is to avoid supplements that promise you claims that are hard to believe. Do you really believe that if you take a few pills you'll drop fifty pounds in a week? If you can't find any research to support the claims, and your physician doesn't think it is a good idea, it is best to avoid it.
There are websites that will give you the low-down on herbal dietary supplements, complete with what to look for on the label, and what you should expect from various supplement companies. Consumer alert websites also cover dietary supplements sometimes, so check them out as well. You'll want to be sure what you choose is a healthy choice.
Once you've found which supplements will be safe for you to take, be sure and follow the directions on the label. More is not better! Herbs may be natural, but they still affect your system, and you can overdose on herbs as much as you can on drugs. Gentle herbs like chamomile and catnip may be next to impossible to overdose on, but stronger herbs like kava kava and black cohosh are much more dangerous if you take too much. Certainly if you were taking a multi-vitamin once a day, you can see why it may be dangerous to double the dose... some vitamins build up too high in the body, causing toxicity and other problems. Herbs work the same way.
Choose the supplements that will help you to achieve your desired results. For example, unless you are treating hemorrhoids, varicose veins or menstrual problems, butcher's broom probably isn't an herb you need. If you are pregnant, you need to be even more careful. Some herbs are compatible with pregnancy, like catnip, chamomile, borage, and lemon balm... others are not, even though they sound like they should be. Rosemary and parsley, for instance, can be eaten safely as a seasoning during pregnancy, but you should avoid using extracts, tinctures, essential oils or eating large amounts of these herbs. They can cause contractions that can endanger the baby in large or concentrated amounts.
As you can see, choosing the right herbal dietary supplement can be a bit challenging. Don't let that stop you... if you do your research, you'll find a high quality supplement that will help you get the nutrients you seek.
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