Dietary Supplements - Botanicals

What is a botanical? The study of plants is called botany, so a
botanical is a plant, or part thereof, that is valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Some people groups have used these botanical
supplements for years to alleviate some conditions. However, even though they are gaining in popularity, many professional health carers in thewestern world still doubt their usefulness.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (1994) has 
 ruled that before a botanical can be classified as a dietary
supplement, it must…

· Be intended to supplement the diet.

· Contain one or more dietary ingredient like vitamins, or their
   constituents.

· Be intended for use in oral form such as tablets, capsules
  liquid or powder.

· Be labelled on the front that it is intended as a dietary
  supplement.

Many herbal remedies meet these criteria. They are also packaged
and sold as teas and infusions, tinctures and extracts, and are
becoming increasingly popular in western countries, being used to
relieve mild conditions instead of what is seen as the harsher
chemical alternative.

For instance, ginger in various forms is used to combat travel
and morning sickness,
because it does not make the consumer drowsy and dry in the mouth
as do some other over-the counter, or even prescription, drugs.
It can be taken as a tea, a tablet or in the form of a lolly
(sweet). There are many herbal products on the market, and some
claim to help mental ability, while others are said to increase
strength or energy, help you sleep, or cope with stress. Most of
them are quite expensive, so make sure you really do need that
product before you buy it.

If you have a disease or are on medication of any kind and wish
to try an herbal remedy, it would be wise to consult a
knowledgeable health professional before doing so. Some herbal
remedies have been shown to react adversely to chemical
substances.

Many people accept herbal medications as safe because they are
‘natural’, but this is not necessarily so. Many plants are
poisonous, or may have serious side effects or give allergic
reactions when taken by susceptible individuals. One such case is
bee pollen. Just as you can be allergic to bee stings without
knowing it (if you’ve never been stung) so an allergy to bee
pollen may also be present. While many herbal concoctions can be
useful, you should always approach new herbal products with
caution. It is better to be safe than sorry.

For an excellent guaranteed supplement source see: Total Balance

See: Dietary Supplements - Folic Acid