The Facts of Botanical Dietary Supplements Part 2 of 2 – Are Botanical Dietary Supplements Safe?
(Continued from Page 1) Many people believe that products labeled “natural” are safe and good for them. This is not necessarily true because the safety of a botanical depends on many things, such as: • its chemical makeup • how it works in the body • how it is prepared • the dose used The action of botanicals range from mild to powerful (potent). A botanical with mild action may have subtle effects. Chamomile and peppermint, both mild botanicals, are usually taken as teas to aid digestion and are generally considered safe for self-administration. Some mild botanicals may have to be taken for weeks or months before their full effects are achieved. For example, valerian may be effective as a sleep aid after 14 days of use but it is rarely effective after just one dose. In contrast a powerful botanical produces a fast result. Kava, as one example, is reported to have an immediate and powerful action affecting anxiety and musc
