1. The Truth about Herbal Supplements
La Tisha San Pedro-Lintag
Kaplan University
HW499

2. Background on Herbal Supplements
Subset of botanicals
Must improve or maintain the quality of health to be considered a Herb
Dietary Supplement is the following:
Intended to supplement the diet
Contains one or more of dietary supplements; herbs, amino acids, or other botanicals
Intended to be taken by mouth in the form of a pill, capsule, liquid, or tablet
Labeled on the front panel as a dietary supplement

3. What You Need to Know
Are regulated by FDA but not like food & prescription drugs
FDA approval is not required before the product is marketed
Manufactures can claim the product addresses certain needs so long as they have supporting research and included a disclaimer that their claim has not been FDA approved
Manufactures must adhere to certain manufacturing processes to ensure quality standards are being met
Once a product is on the market the FDA is responsible in monitoring safety

4. What You Need to Know
Rules do not guarantee herbal supplements are safe for everyone
Often contain active ingredients that can pose unexpected risks
Taking a combination of herbal supplements and prescribed medication can have life threatening results
Advise your medical team of any herbal supplements you may be taking

5. What You Need to Know Be a smart consumer
Do your research – scientific research findings
Consult your doctor
Speak to your pharmacists
Research the manufacturer

6. Who Shouldn’t take Herbal Supplements
Serious side effects with OTC medication and prescribed medication
Aspirin
Blood thinners
Blood pressure medication
Pregnant or breast-feeding
Having surgery
Children and the Elderly

7. Safety Tips Follow manufacturers instructions
Monitor intake – take 1 supplement at time to monitor your body’s reaction
Be cautious of herbal supplements manufactured outside of the United States
Check advisories periodically – FDA & NCCAM

8. Risky Herbs St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) –ease depression
Kava (Piper methysticum) – ease anxiety
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) – heal injured tissues
Chaparral (Larrea divaricata, Larrea tridentata) - reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) - has not been proven to have any effective uses
St. John’s Wort – Can seriously damage the liver and kidneys, as well as have drug interactions.
Kava – while studies show this herb has worked, serious illness can occur. Severe liver damage & even death can occur even during short periods of time under normal dosage. Heavy Kava usage has been linked to nerve damage and skin changes.
Comfrey- FDA recommended in 2001 to have this herbal supplement removed from shelves but yet it can still purchased, even served at local tea shops. It can cause serious damage to the liver.
Chaparral – listed in FDA’s poisonous database causing liver damage.
Pennyroyal – has been used to cause abortion but would require large doses which could potentially kill the mother or leave irresolvable damage to the liver and kidney

9. Resources For periodic reviews - Complete list of Herbs (A-Z)
FDA -
NCCAM -
Complete list of Herbs (A-Z)

10. References National Institute of Health – WebMD – Mayo Clinic –
WebMD –
Mayo Clinic –
Office of Dietary Supplements –