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A guide to herbal remedies

Herbal remedies are plants used like a medicine. People use herbal remedies to help prevent or cure disease. They use them to get relief from symptoms, boost energy, relax, or lose weight.

Herbal remedies are not regulated or tested like medicines.

How can you know what you are getting and if it is useful? This guide can help you choose and use herbals safely.

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Herbals are not Medicines

You have to be careful when using an herbal remedy. Herbal remedies are a type of dietary supplement. They are not medicines. Here are some things you should know about herbals:

Natural Does not Mean Safe

Many people think that using plants to treat illness is safer than taking medicine. People have been using plants in folk medicine for centuries. So, it is easy to see the appeal. Yet "natural" does not mean safe. Unless taken as directed, some herbals can interact with other medicines or be toxic at high doses. Also, some may cause side effects.

Here are some examples:

Of course, some herbals have been tested and work well for their intended purpose. Many are also quite safe, but the word "natural" will not tell you which ones are safe and which ones are not safe.

How to Choose and use Herbal Remedies Safely

Some herbals can make you feel better and help keep you healthy. But you need to be a smart consumer. Use these tips when choosing herbal remedies.

Where to get More Information

These sites can help you learn more about specific herbal supplements:

References

Aronson JK. Herbal medicines. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier B.V.; 2016:707-742.

Gardiner P, Filippelli AC, Low Dog T. Prescribing botanicals. In: Rakel D, ed. Integrative Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 104.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website. Using dietary supplements wisely. nccih.nih.gov/health/supplements/wiseuse.htm. Updated January 2019. Accessed November 24, 2022.

US Food & Drug Administration website. Information for consumers on using dietary supplements. www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/UsingDietarySupplements/default.htm. Updated October 21, 2022. Accessed November 24, 2022.

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Review Date: 8/11/2022  

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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