Agriculture & Government Policies for Medicinal Plants and Herbs

Humans have used plants and herbs for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, and herbal medicine, or the use of herbal supplements for their supposed health benefits, remains very popular today. A 2007 survey cited by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, found 17.7 percent of Americans used a "natural product" supplement at some time in the last 12 months. It's important to note that herbal supplements are still not subject to the same regulations as pharmaceutical drugs, although in 2007 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, adopted more rigorous requirements that will take effect later this year.

Classification

• Herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements by the FDA, meaning that manufacturers do not generally need to register their products with the FDA or solicit approval before selling their wares. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 holds manufacturers responsible for the product's safety but does not require that they submit to an FDA approval process. If a product is found to be unsafe or adverse effects are reported, the FDA can take action against the manufacturer or restrict the sale of the product, but these steps are taken after the fact. Herbal supplements do not have to endure the rigorous testing process that's required for pharmaceutical drugs.

Misconceptions

• Since they are classified as dietary supplements, herbal medicines cannot be promoted that they will treat or prevent disease. The FDA considers claims of this nature to be "unauthorized" since the herbal remedy hasn't actually been through the drug approval process. Herbal supplement makers can, however, make "function claims" about how their product might affect the consumer's general well being as long as there is some evidence to support the claim. For example, a seller might advertise that a product "helps support a healthy immune system" if there is some evidence to show that this is true and as long as they do not imply the product is meant to treat or prevent a disease. Manufacturers who use misleading or entirely unsubstantiated claims to sell products may be subject to penalties enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC.

Warning

• It's important to remember that just because a product is "natural" doesn't mean it's safe--poison mushrooms are entirely "natural," for example. Herbal supplements may contain many compounds whose activity is unknown or poorly understood. Moreover, some herbs can cause deleterious side effects; the herb kava, for example, can be bad for your liver according to the NCCAM. Herbal supplements could also interact with drugs or medicines you are taking in ways that might cause other side effects or reduce the drug's effectiveness.

Changes

• In June of 2007, the FDA announced some changes to the rules on herbal medicines and other dietary supplements. After finding that some supplements were contaminated or contained different amounts of ingredients than indicated on the label, the FDA issued new rules establishing minimum standards or "good manufacturing practices" by which all supplement manufacturers must abide. These regulations had a three-year phase-in period and thus takes full effect in August of 2010.

Potential

• Critics believe the regulations that govern herbal medicine are insufficient to ensure consumer satisfaction and safety; since herbal medicines aren't subject to an approval process, they may be completely ineffective or have unknown side effects. These critics argue for stronger regulation. On the other hand, while the evidence for the benefits of many herbal medicines is inconclusive, past research suggests that other herbs may indeed offer a variety of health benefits. Curcumin, a compound found in tumeric, and garlic are two examples of herbs or "natural remedies" that already seem to show health benefits in past studies, although further research is ongoing. Some critics therefore contend that herbal medicines are an alternative treatment that deserves more attention--and that the current drug approval process is ill-suited to the evaluation of herbal remedies.

Considerations

• If you're thinking about buying herbal remedies, your best bet is to choose a reputable source for your information. Don't trust internet rumors or websites making wild claims; it's better to rely on published studies--you can use the website PubMed to search through past publications in scientific journals--or on sites like the NCCAM. It may also be a good idea to let your doctor know if you do take supplements and discuss the possible implications. As always, none of the above is intended as medical advice; if you have questions about the best treatment for your condition, please consult your physician.