Herbal Supplements

Six Effective Herbal Supplements

Generally, manufacturers of herbal remedies and dietary supplements do not need FDA approval to sell their products. Just like a drug, herbs and supplements can affect the body's chemistry, and therefore have the potential to produce side effects that may Americans spend an estimated $5 billion a year on unproven herbal supplements that promise everything from fighting off colds to curbing hot flashes and boosting memory. But now there is a new reason for supplement buyers to beware: DNA tests show that I once diagnosed a patient with high cholesterol and prescribed medication that is commonly known as a statin. When I saw him for a follow-up months later, he admitted that he didn't fill the prescription. He said he took red yeast rice instead. When I Patients need education about the potential pitfalls of taking herbal supplements. herbal supplements, sometimes referred to as “botanicals,” have been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries and they continue to gain popularity among consumers * CNN encourages you to contribute a question. By submitting a question, you agree to the following terms found below. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Many herbs and natural substances are marketed as remedies for stress, but such products are unlikely to be the answer to life's tensions, experts say. There's little evidence that any of these products work well over the long term, said Thomas Lenz, an .

If you're taking herbal supplements, a new study shows that what's on the label may not actually be in the pill. Researchers from the University of Guelph in Ontario analyzed common herbal supplements like echinacea, St. John's wort, psyllium, and ginkgo Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic? Here's your chance to get an answer. Send us your questions about general health topics, diet and fitness and mental health. If your question is chosen, it could be featured on CNN.com's Mar. 7, 2005 -- Thinking of treating your child's illness with herbal supplements? You may want to do some fact-checking and talk it over with a doctor first. Herbal supplements are popular, but some may work better in kids than others, a new study shows. .
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