Nutritional dietary herbal supplements are nutritional supplements that contain one or more herbs (or botanicals). Herbs or botanicals are plants, or plant parts, that are used for their flavor, scent, or therapeutic properties.

There are many herbs that have a long history of claimed health benefits, but the level of effectiveness and short-term or long-term side-effects of most of these herbs are still unknown and are still being researched.

So when choosing herbal supplements, safety should be your primary priority. Below are some things you should remember in choosing a herbal supplement:

1. What is natural is not always safe

Just because a supplement is labeled “natural” does not mean it is safe. Nutritional dietary herbal supplements made from purely natural ingredients are not necessarily safe – if used improperly, they can have harmful side effects. Some herbs like comfrey and kava, for example, are known to have links with serious liver damage.

2. Some nutritional dietary herbal supplements act like drugs

Nutritional dietary herbal supplements can act in the same way as prescription, over-the-counter, or even prohibited drugs, making them dangerous if taken in large amounts or in the wrong dosages. There have been reported cases of users experiencing negative effects such as palpitation and increased heart rate and blood pressure, even when they closely followed the instructions indicated in the label. If you have any doubts, consult your doctor first.

3. Some nutritional dietary herbal supplements interact with medications

If you are currently undergoing any treatment or medication (whether taking prescription or over the counter drugs) then you should be extra cautious when taking nutritional dietary herbal supplements. The same holds true for infants, children, and pregnant or nursing women. Some nutritional dietary herbal supplements are known to interact with medications and may cause or lead to health problems.

In this case, it is important to consult with a physician before taking any nutritional dietary herbal supplements. All ingredients in the label should be analyzed -- its uses, risks, and interactions. In order to rule out life-threatening risks, some people opt to consult two medical professionals – one ‘regular’ doctor and another who is properly trained and updated in herbal medicine and herbal medical systems (such as Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine).

IMPORTANT: The Food and Drug Administration Board does not regulate the manufacture and sale of nutritional dietary herbal supplements, so it is important to choose a manufacturer that strictly follows the rules and standards for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). This ensures that the product contains the right amount of ingredients as indicated in the label. It also eliminates the possibility of the product containing harmful ingredients and contaminants.