Are herbal supplements safe?
Here are a couple of articles that address herbal supplement hazards.
http://www.infobarrel.com/Herbal_Supplement_Blood_Thinning_Hazards#axzz1YbVWBZsN
http://www.infobarrel.com/Senna_Leaf_Health_Supplement_Side_Effects#axzz1YbVWBZsN
Herbal supplements are regulated by the FDA, but not as drugs or as foods. They fall under a category called dietary supplements. The rules for dietary supplements are as follows: • Manufacturers don’t have to seek FDA approval before putting dietary supplements on the market. In addition, companies can claim that products address a nutrient deficiency, support health or are linked to body functions, if they have supporting research, and they include a disclaimer that the FDA hasn’t evaluated the claim. • Manufacturers must follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure that supplements are processed consistently and meet quality standards. GMPs are intended to keep the wrong ingredients and contaminants, such as pesticides and lead, out of supplements, as well as make sure that the right ingredients are included in appropriate amounts. • Once a dietary supplement is on the market, the FDA is responsible for monitoring its safety. If the FDA finds a product to be unsafe, it can t
