1) Caution is advised on using herbal supplements manufactured outside of the United States.

2) Standardized herbal supplements are the best purchases to make.

3) When you plan to take herbal supplements for a single purpose, try to purchase single-herb products.

4) While the vast majority of European herbs are closed monitored, regulated and standardized, other countries do not have guidelines in place.

5) Depending on the country where natural supplements are manufactured, toxic ingredients and contaminants have been identified in the product.

6) Single-herb formulated supplements clearly detail how much the herb of each dose contains.

7) Certain multi-herb supplements products are compounds of numerous herbs combined with unknown quantities.

8) Patients who are taking prescribed medications or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

9) Certain herb supplements may trigger serious side events when taken in conjunction with a prescription or any type of OTC medication drugs including and not limited to aspirin, pain relievers, blood thinners, blood pressure medications and others.

10) Check with both your pharmacist and physician regarding any potential interactions.

11) A proven medical treatment is available for your medical condition. A traditional medication with an established record for safety and effectiveness will generally be less likely to result in adverse side effects.

12) Prior to any surgical procedure, inform your doctor of every supplement and medicine you may be taking.

13) Both expectant and breast-feeding mothers should not use any prescriptions, over-the-counter OTC or vitamin/herbal supplements an obstetrician authorizes it.

14) Natural supplements as well as OTC and prescribed medicine may diminish the efficacy of anesthetics. Others may trigger serious complications including internal bleeding or high blood pressure.

15) Individuals under the age of 18 or over the age of 65 metabolize medications in different ways.