Fortnightly features' series: Choosing a herbal product

Choosing a herbal product

 

Introduction

 

Traditionally, Asia has always been a melting pot of eastern remedies and western therapies when it comes to medicines and supplements.

 

With improved technologies and greater understanding of the science behind these alternative medicines, public acceptance has increased, resulting in higher availability of these herbal products.

 

Unlike western pharmaceuticals with their randomized, controlled trials, herbal medicines are usually not subjected to similar studies and quality control. It is thus, necessary to equip yourself with some basic information when deciding to try any herbal products.

 

1. Use products that have been tested in positive, controlled clinical trials.

 

Some common herbal products such as Bilberry, Gingko, Cat’s Claw, Black Cohosh, Echinacea, Ginseng, Hawthorn, Milk Thistle, etc have been rigorously tested in clinical trials by their manufacturers in Europe or the USA. These are commonly available in pharmacies and some herbal stores.

 

Positive trials will be able to reveal the herb’s effectiveness as well as the appropriate dosages and preparations.

 

2. Choose products that are evaluated by independent laboratories.

 

Without knowledge of clinical trials, you can look out for products that have met the minimum quality assurance standards by independent testing laboratories. Things to look out for include:

 

• Plant identity
• Minimum concentrations of major constituents
• Absence of toxic impurities

 

An online resource is available at www.consumerlab.com. There are other trade journals that provide consumer reports of herbal products.

 

3. Select other quality assurance standards by reputable organizations.

 

The United States Pharmacopeia sets standards for drugs and supplements. Europe’s regulatory organizations are also stringent in their tests for commercially marketed products.

 

Locally, there are no authorizing bodies offering accreditation of such products, however, the Health Sciences Authority www.hsa.gov.sg is a good place to look out for warnings of adverse reactions on any of these products.

 

4. Consider products manufactured by pharmaceutical companies.

 

Large, ethical pharmaceutical companies are used to producing clinical drugs and are thus, able to extend similar professionalism in the marketing of their herbal products as well as undertake research to determine the effectiveness of such products.

 

5. Find out about local individual herbal manufacturers.

 

There are various large retail chains specialising in herbal, complementary medicines and it would be prudent to research how much they care about the development and marketing of their products.

 

Besides a resounding reputation and positive testimonies from other users, it is good to question these manufacturers about their individual quality assurance and standardization procedures.

 

Labels on their products’ packaging should include detailed information on:

 

• Batch no.
• Expiration date
• Manufacturer’s contact information
• Ingredients
• Dosing information

 

 

 

References

 

1. Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. www.hsa.gov.sg

2. Rotblatt MD. Evidence Based Herbal Medicines. Hanley & Belfus: 2002; 17-23

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