Herbal supplements Essay

A survey conducted in the joined States in 2002 revealed that approximately 38 million volume were using herb tea and dietary supplements, citing them as important for their health, yet only to the highest degree unrivaled third of them had account the impost of these herbal harvest-homes to a qualified aesculapian practitioner. Estimates from opposite reports suggested that approximately 25% of those seeking health check treatment for heartbreaking medical conditions were alike using unconventional treatment which they r argonly reported to their doctors. Herbal and dietary supplements read become readily available and seat be purchased in almost all retail outlets.This pull aheads it easy for patients to function them without supervision from a qualified medical practitioner (Medscape Today, 2007). Most people tend to think that since herbs live with been obtained from nature, they ar automatically safe. But is this truly the case? True, slightly of these yi elds may be consumed without occasioning either harm to the luggage compartment but near may contain contaminants that may lead to medical complications and even death. For this reason, it is important that the US Food and Drug disposal mold these herbal supplements for precludeative and efficacy (Finkel & Pray, 2004).Concerns arising from determination of Herbal supplements The use of herbal and dietary supplements is non at a lower frame regulation by the US Food and Drug administration. This is very dangerous since it means that these convergences have not been tested for purity and potency yet they are being consumed by humans in large quantities every day (Medscape Today, 2007). M whatsoever plants are quite toxic depending on the climate as well as the condition of the soil where they were grown. The FDA warns that most of the herbal products which are marketed have not been tested and do not contain any in establishation on their toxic content.Thus, while most drug users may escape injury, in that location have been some isolated reports of some people dying or incur grave injuries as a expiration of using herbs (Finkel & Pray, 2004). early(a) than the natural toxicity which may be present in plants, it has as well as been reported that the preparation of these herbs is questionable. Medscape today reports that some of the prepared herbs have been be to actually contain prescription drugs and worse still, heavy metals. These products are neer labeled as part of the ingredients and this poses a risk to those who consume them.The danger here lies not only in the fact that these contaminants may execute toxic poisoning to the patients but also in the fact that some patients are allergic to certain products and may consume them without knowing, thus endangering their lives (Medscape Today, 2007). Currently, the labeling of products from herbs is under the regulation of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act. Manufactures of herbal products are required to make general statements on the safety and efficacy of the product. This includes a compulsory statement that disclaims the product from diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease.Unfortunately, these labels have been designed to promote the use of the product but do not really give the consumer any concrete information on the nature and content of the product. If the FDA is mandated to regulate these products, they will be able to place more necessary information such as side effectuate and contraindications so that the users know what to expect. This will also put herbal products in the same category as prescription drugs which might probably make the users more inclined to report the usage of these products to their physicians (Medscape Today, 2007).Another study that raises relates on the efficacy and safety of the herbal supplements is the fact that no testing or note control is performed on them prior to being sold in the market. As suc h, a consumer cannot really be sure if the supposed ingredients that the shaper claims to be the contents are actually at that place or if the product can actually perform the healing wonders that it is purported to. Other than the obvious rip-off, this issue presents concerns over the overall safety of the product (Finkel & Pray, 2004).In deed, the effectuate of no FDA regulation on herbal products have been seen in the discard on some of the herbal supplements such as those containing ephedra whose usage had resulted in adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in patients. Another product, Kava, was also prohibited due to worries on hepatotoxicity (Medscape Today, 2007). It is rather poor that the FDA can only act against the use of herbal supplements as they adjudicate them case by case. In the event that a product has brought about austere injury, investigations will not occur unless there are numerous other similar reports.This is rather dangerous because by the time the FDA reacts more people could have been ineradicablely injured or killed as a result of using the product, a situation which could have been easily avoided if the products had been suggested to quality control and analysis. Prevention is al focal points better than cure and mandating the FDA to regulate herbal products will not only go a long way in improving the quality of these products but is also bound to fulfil many lives (Finkel & Pray, 2004). Evidence supporting lack of Safety and force in Herbal ProductsThere are very many herbal supplements which are available in the market and which are purported to heal a variety of ailments ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as cancer. Some have been successful in healing these ailments but there are those which have failed in achieving this goal. Other than the above mentioned herbal products, ephedra and kava whose usage was banned due to the danger posed to the users, there are other products wh ich also exhibit the same concerns. Serious reactions to some herbal supplements purchased over the counter have also been recorded with permanent injuries and even death.A case study by Marks (2007), researches on the effects of Tricana which was sold as a herbal supplement to the user and had been hailed for promoting good effects to ones metabolism which included, loss of saddle and the enhancement of energy. Mark focuses on a patient who developed dilated myocardiopathy after ingesting this supplement, a potentially fatal condition. In deed, the use of this product did not promote the much hailed beneficial effects but preferably caused insomnia, nervous conditions and diarrhea.The FDA withdrew Tricana from the market in the year 2000 as a result of these safety concerns (Marks, 2007). Other products include Chaparral which was purported to be a origination purifier as well as a cure for cancer and has also resulted in adverse reactions. It has caused very many cases of liver -colored and kidney related conditions and actually left one patient in need of a liver transplant. Apparently the research on this product has found that the use of shrub has no benefit whatsoever on the body and pharmacist were advise to inform consumers against using this product (Finkel & Pray, 2004).These are just a few examples of the dangerous effects that over the counter herbal supplements have posed to their users. Thus, one cannot help but feel that some form of regulation by the FDA will have prevented such occurrences. Granted, some herbal products have a record of success. But it is precisely due to the other dangers posed by the other supplements that the US Food and Drug Administration should regulate the use of these products.Right now, the reaction of the FDA is more reactive than proactive removing herbal supplements from the market only after they have occasioned some serious harm to the user. America cannot afford to have knee jerk reactions to matters that concern the safety of the public. Conclusion While we advocate for the FDA to regulate the use of these products so as to promote their safety and efficacy, it will also be in order to engage in some form of public cognizance so that the consumers can know ways in which to check for the safety of the herbal supplements.If they have to buy these products, they should be encouraged to purchase them from pharmacists who are more inclined to give them correct information on the product efficacy. Other sales agents are more inclined to make mislead statements on the product so as to make a firm sale. Above all, it is essential for consumers to be encouraged to report the usage of any of these herbal supplements to their physicians especially if they are taking other medication to prevent any adverse reactions as some of these drugs may not interact well (Finkel & Pray, 2004).