Herbs and the healing powers of herbs have been talked about, written about, studied and tested but the fact remains while so much is in fact, known about herbs, much is unknown. The health benefits of herbs and herbal supplements have been documented and researched and then usually face controversy whenever there is a new claim.

Botanicals, or natural herbs, have in fact proven to improve the health of the consumers who sing their praises and there have been some natural herbs which have been proven to be very dangerous. Some herbs have been credited with serious illnesses and health complications, such as significant liver damage and even considered a factor in deaths of some individuals who have taken herbal supplements as part of their daily diets.

The FDA supposedly regulates the herbal supplements which fall onto the shelves of Wal-Mart and other retail outlets so many consumers never question whether or not the herbal supplement is a safe product to take. In fact, they simply don’t think about it as soon as they hear that the FDA regulates the product. However, what this means basically is that the herbal supplements are not expected to meet the same standards as typical over-the-counter drugs, instead these drugs are basically regulated as foods would be regulated meaning these herb based supplements do not fall under the same rules and regulations as most over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

Herbal supplements which show up on a distributor’s product list for companies like Shaklee are normally not at all regulated by the FDA and yet this doesn’t seem to bother the hundreds of thousands of people who consume the products on a regular basis.
Many of the products, are great products and others, are not.

Whether you buy supplements through a distributor or you choose to buy through the Wal-Mart stores scattered across the country, there are a few things you might want to know. Contaminated herbal supplements have been rampant at times. In fact, herbal supplements have been known carriers of metals and microorganisms as well as other undesirables including prescription drugs. Does that make you feel secure in your botanicals? No, it doesn’t. This in itself may be why the FDA doesn’t want to become too involved in the herbal supplement venue. While many consumers would like to see the “FDA approved” stamp of approval on the herbal products consumed, this would hold a large risk factor for the FDA.

Like anything else on the shelves today, FDA approved or otherwise, as a consumer, you need to be sure to check out all of the information you have or can receive on these herbal supplements and then go to the internet and do a couple of keyword searches on the products you are considering. You will be able to gain more insight as to whether or not the product is at all good for you and what the known side effects are. Once you have all herbal supplement information, then you can make an informed decision.