As enthusiasm for herbal therapies continues to grow, I would, once again, like to caution against resorting to pill popping as the natural solution to all health problems. Even though research has demonstrated the beneficial effects of many herbs, as usual, in practice things are more complicated. The benefits of many widely used herbal remedies have not been rigorously tested and are not yet well documented. Also, although Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Directorate (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/onhp/) tests contents of some herbs and nutritional supplements, there is no guarantee you’re getting what’s listed on all labels. One resource that may help is www.ConsumerLab.com they privately test supplements to determine if the contents are pure and match the label claims. Many tested supplements have been found to lack key components or did not contain advertised percentages of active ingredients. Some products were even found to contain pesticides and heavy metals. Remember, no herb is a substitute for a healthy diet and other good habits. And, if you choose to supplement, be selective and be a savvy consumer.
Yours In Health,
Dr. Karen Baker