USP urges consumers to consider the quality of their herbal products
Quality of herbal products sold as dietary supplements may vary significantly from one manufacturer to another
The US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) recommends that users of herbal products consider their quality and their interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
The USP is a global health standards organisation headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, that develops quality standards for medicines and their ingredients, food ingredients, dietary supplements and herbal medicines.
'Consumers often assume, incorrectly, that they do not need to worry because herbal products are “natural” and that equals “safe”,' says Gabriel Giancaspro, Vice President for foods, dietary supplements and herbal medicines at USP.
'Many herbal products may interact with other medications, increasing or decreasing their effect or causing adverse effects. Some toxic plants may be easily confused with those known to be safe, highlighting the importance of identity standards. In addition, purity standards are important to avoid contamination with micro-organisms and toxic substances such as heavy metals. Variability in plant origin, source conditions and processing practices greatly impact overall quality.'
Data from a recent study from the Military Nutrition Division of the US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) indicated that as many as one in three adults in the US take dietary supplements in combination with prescription drugs. USP urges consumers always to consult with their doctors on the use of herbal products and their potential side effects when combined with other medicines.
Consumers also need to understand that while many countries have specific regulations for herbal or traditional medicines, the US does not. Products that include a claim to treat or cure a disease are considered a drug by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but only a few herbal medicines have gone through the stringent process for drug approval. In most cases, herbal products are sold as dietary supplements or food ingredients, which do not require the same approval process.
'Public standards for quality of dietary supplements are not mandated, so the quality of herbal products sold as dietary supplements may vary significantly from one manufacturer to another,' says Giancaspro. 'Identity, purity and content standards such as the ones set by USP establish a common ground for quality of dietary supplements, but these should not to be confused with standards for safety or efficacy.'
