There is a lot of focus on the use of herbs at the moment. In America it is reported that 60% of people use herbs for some sort of medicinal purpose. The FDA recently posted warned to food companies, warning them that they cannot make health claims about herbs. A recent American government study has also concluded that tough new rules are needed to monitor the sale and use of herbs and other dietary supplements. The FTC also cracked down on web-based herb companies with six companies being charged with fraudulent marketing.
There can be several dangers associated with herb use.
One is to use them instead of conventional medicine. Without proper knowledge, people may actually miss out on an effective treatment. Armed with incorrect information, they make take a herbal cure that has no effect, where a conventional cure could have been effective. The more dangerous the condition, the more dangerous the result.
Another danger that can be overlooked is the potency of herbs. There is a general feeling that everything natural is good for you. Many people tend to be fooled into this and it is quite possible they are taking herbal supplements that may be harmful to them. The belief that everything natural is good is far from true. Herbs can be just as potent as man-made drugs. In fact, many natural substances have become our common medicines. Consider aspirin. It is one of the most popular general pain relievers. If aspirin chemicsl exists naturally, within the bark of a tree. Several types of mushroom are poisonous. They all grow naturally, but they can also be lethal. Dirt is natural, but would you eat it? The term 'all-natural' and similar ones are often used as a sales gimmick. But, think about what all-natural means. Is it really a good thing? All-manufactured can be just as good. Manufactured drugs are heavily tested for their potency, for impurities, not to mention the testing required to have a drug put on the market as a saleable item. This is not the case for herbs. Their potency cannot be overlooked. This also means care should be taken in combining them with conventional drugs.
It is very wise to remember that herbs can be just as powerful as conventional drugs. And this means they should undergo the same testing that conventional drugs do before they are used as a medical treatment.
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