Herbal supplements are named after the plant used to manufacture the product. Roots, leaves and stems are elements of all herbal plants. With the limited regulation of herbal supplement production, finding ones with the best quality a challenging prospect. Use these consumer-friendly, questions and answers to help you make a viable herbal supplement purchase.

Who can I talk to if I have questions about buying a supplement?

Before you buy a supplement, it is a good idea to consult your physician to make sure that it will not negatively impact your current health condition or trigger a bad reaction to any other medicines you may be taking. Also, check with your pharmacist -- too.

What should I look for in an herbal supplement?
First, you should look for standardized herbal supplements. For example, a standardized supplement will have a U.S. Pharmacopeia's "USP Dietary Supplement Verified" seal. The seal depicts that the vitamin or herb specific manufacturing criteria: laboratory testing of the product for uniformity, free of contaminants (in example: mercury, or lead) and cleanliness.

Are there any other certified groups who approve herbal supplements?

Other authorizing certification groups include Good Housekeeping NSF International, and
ConsumerLab.com. All three groups use varying methodologies in the standardization of supplements; however, each group certifies that herbal supplements meet specific standards and criteria.

Are all herbal products available on the market safe?

On the contrary, all herbal products are not required to report herbal supplement product failures.

Should I purchase herbal products with the best health claims?

Any health claim that sounds too good to be true bears avoiding. Remember, not any medication borrowing herbal supplements can prevent a wide spectrum of health issues.