The use of herbs has quickly grown beyond adding them to foods as a flavor enhancer. The list of health problems they can supposedly cure, prevent, or relieve is endless. By definition, herbs are plants and plants are basically food. Therefore, herbs are being sold as dietary supplements. Before you pop another pill or take another tincture, there are some over looked issues you should consider. Following are some concerns which are being debated in my profession as well as the whole health profession in general.

Food and nutrition is the part of health care that a dietitian specializes in. Because herbs are a food, they are often considered the domain of dietitians. Dietary supplements, or food supplements, are also considered part of a dietitian's expertise. So, it would make sense that people would expect a dietitian to have the answers regarding the quickly expanding world of herbs.

While some herbs are being promoted for weight loss, most people are using herbs to treat medical conditions such as depression and diabetes. The truth is that many herbs are nothing more than diluted medications. Basically, people are taking a medication without the supervision of a physician for a medical condition which may or may not exist. The real scary part is many individuals are self diagnosing and self medicating. Even worse, they may be self misdiagnosing and improperly medicating their own health problems.

Herbs are sold as dietary supplements to avoid the rigorous testing medications must adhere to. There currently is no national standard in place to guarantee the effectiveness of herbs, although that could change in the not too distant future. It is true that some companies claim to use a “standard” dosage, but we must take their word on it. (That standard dosage is often the amount of an herb a company thinks is adequate, not necessarily a dose taken from credible studies). There is no guarantee that the ingredients on the label represent what's in the bottle. This next point is often hotly debated, but it is my opinion that not enough well designed published studies are available to determine the safe amount of most herbs. We must think about any possible interactions between current medications and any herbs we may want to begin taking. We also need to consider how an herb may interact with any health problem we may have.

Today, many of us are very careful about what we put into our bodies. That is a healthy attitude. But, if we are so cautious about what we put into our bodies, why then are so many people complacent about taking herbs? One answer is because there is a false sense of security when taking a dietary supplement, which is considered harmless. With vitamins and minerals, there is a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), which lists the safe amounts of these nutrients. If taken well beyond those recommended amounts, vitamins and minerals actually become a medication because they may produce side effects. Like vitamins and minerals, we know the recommended amounts of medications are usually safe and effective. Sometimes, under the care of a qualified health professional, those recommended amounts need to be changed based on individual needs.

In this era of the quick fix, and the frenzy over herbs and alternative medicine, we often forget to ask ourselves one important question when it comes to herbs: “What are we really taking?” Alternative medicine gives off the impression of a magical shroud. Alternative medicine is often described as holistic medicine, integrated medicine, or complimentary medicine. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) now has an Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM). There are seven categories of alternative medicine. One of those categories is Diet, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Changes. Surprised? So was I. Alternative medicine does not make so called traditional medicine obsolete or ineffective. There is no reason for them to not work together. It has been predicted that alternative medicine will eventually self destruct because of the wild claims and lack of well designed studies to help guide the development of this area of medicine.

While it can be difficult to find health professionals who are knowledgeable, or willing to help, regarding the use of herbs, that does not mean health professionals in general are against herbs or alternative medicine. Forget the stories of profit taking and politics for a moment. Why would health professionals not be in favor of a treatment that would be effective and less harmful to the body than something we currently use?

It is important to work with a qualified health professional who can effectively deal with your situation. The use of herbs is not isolated to dietitians. Seminars on herbs are also attended by physicians, nurses, pharmacists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and social workers. The use of herbs needs to grow responsibly if it is going to survive and be effective. Right now, there is a fortune being made on herbs, with much of the profit being made under the false pretenses known as fraud. If someone takes an herb, and feels better, could it then be concluded that herb was effective? Often times we don't know. The placebo effect is very powerful and we may frequently take an herb which has nothing to do with our ailment. If we are convinced it will work, then it may be money well spent. But, it goes back to the question: “What are we taking?” Just because something is natural doesn't make it safe.

Pills, no matter if they are vitamins, minerals, herbs, or medications as we know them today, are not a replacement for diet, exercise, physical therapy, insulin, etc. Pills are to be used in conjunction with other methods. Pills are not the whole picture. We cannot abandon the foundation to good health, which is still a healthful diet and exercise. We know diet and exercise work. There are no side effects from a healthful diet and a well designed exercise program.

Copyright©t 1999-2006 Kevin Kelly, LRD. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

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