Herbal Medicines: What They Are and How to Use Them Safely

What they are

An herb is a plant, or part of one, used for its scent, flavor or healing properties. Herbal medicines are one kind of dietary supplement, sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. People take them to keep or improve their health.

"Natural" isn't always safe

Many people assume a product labeled "natural" must be safe and good for them. Not necessarily.

• Herbal medicines don't go through the testing that drugs do.
• Some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm.
• Some can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Before you try one

• Get information on it from reliable sources.
• Tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you take.

Sources

Based on "Herbal Medicine," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH); a work of the United States government in the public domain.