Botanical Supplement Side Effects

A botanical supplement is made from plants or plant parts. They are valued for their therapeutic and medicinal properties. According to the Mayo Clinic, some botanical supplements can have serious side effects and can also interact with drugs.

Definition

• In order to be classified as a supplement, botanical supplements must meet the definition defined by Congress and made into law in 1994; many botanical preparations qualify. Botanical products may also be called herbal products and phytomedicines.

Preparations

• Botanical supplements are sold in many forms. Common preparations include tablets, capsules, powders, solid or liquid extracts, and tea bags.

Side Effects

• Side effects can vary according to preparation; while peppermint tea is considered safe, peppermint oil can be toxic if used incorrectly. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain herbs should be avoided altogether as overdoses may be fatal; those to avoid are kava, chaparral and ephedra.

Herb-Drug Interactions

• Certain herbs have been known to have a high risk of interactions with both prescription and non-prescription drugs. These herbs are echinacea, feverfew, ginger, garlic, gingko, and St. John's wort.

Warning

• The United States does not require the standardization of botanical supplements. As a result, the word "standardization" on a label may not indicate the quality of a supplement.