Botanical Dietary Supplements
What Is A Botanical
A botanical is a plant or plant part valued for its medicinal or
therapeutic properties, flavor, and/or scent. Herbs are a subset of
botanicals. Products made from botanicals that are used to
maintain or improve health may be called herbal products, botanical
products, or phytomedicines.
In naming botanicals, botanists use a Latin name made up of the
genus and species of the plant. Under this system the botanical
black cohosh is known as Actaea racemosa L., where "L" stands for
Linneaus, who first described the type of plant specimen. In the
Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) fact sheets, we do not include
such initials because they do not appear on most products used by
consumers.
Can Botanicals Be Dietary Supplements
To be classified as a dietary supplement, a botanical must meet the
definition given below. Many botanical preparations meet the
definition.
* is intended to supplement the diet;
* contains one or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins;
minerals; herbs or other botanicals; amino acids; and other
substances) or their constituents;
* is intended to be taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or
liquid;
* is labeled on the front panel as being a dietary supplement.
How Are Botanicals Commonly Sold And Prepared
Botanicals are sold in many forms: as fresh or dried products;
liquid or solid extracts; and tablets, capsules, powders, and tea
bags. For example, fresh ginger root is often found in the produce
section of food stores; dried ginger root is sold packaged in tea
bags, capsules, or tablets; and liquid preparations made from ginger
root are also sold. A particular group of chemicals or a single
chemical may be isolated from a botanical and sold as a dietary
supplement, usually in tablet or capsule form. An example is
phytoestrogens from soy products.
Common preparations include teas, decoctions, tinctures, and
extracts:
* A tea, also known as an infusion, is made by adding boiling water
to fresh or dried botanicals and steeping them. The tea may be drunk
either hot or cold.
* Some roots, bark, and berries require more forceful treatment to
extract their desired ingredients. They are simmered in boiling
water for longer periods than teas, making a decoction, which also
may be drunk hot or cold.
* A tincture is made by soaking a botanical in a solution of alcohol
and water. Tinctures are sold as liquids and are used for
concentrating and preserving a botanical. They are made in different
strengths that are expressed as botanical-to-extract ratios (i.e.,
ratios of the weight of the dried botanical to the volume or weight
of the finished product).
* An extract is made by soaking the botanical in a liquid that
removes specific types of chemicals. The liquid can be used as is or
evaporated to make a dry extract for use in capsules or tablets.
Are Botanical Dietary Supplements Safe
Many people believe that products labeled "natural" are safe and
good for them. This is not necessarily true because the safety of a
botanical depends on many things, such as its chemical makeup, how
it works in the body, how it is prepared, and the dose used.
The action of botanicals range from mild to powerful (potent). A
botanical with mild action may have subtle effects. Chamomile and
peppermint, both mild botanicals, are usually taken as teas to aid
digestion and are generally considered safe for self-administration.
Some mild botanicals may have to be taken for weeks or months before
their full effects are achieved. For example, valerian may be
effective as a sleep aid after 14 days of use but it is rarely
effective after just one dose. In contrast a powerful botanical
produces a fast result. Kava, as one example, is reported to have an
immediate and powerful action affecting anxiety and muscle
relaxation.
The dose and form of a botanical preparation also play important
roles in its safety. Teas, tinctures, and extracts have different
strengths. The same amount of a botanical may be contained in a cup
of tea, a few teaspoons of tincture, or an even smaller quantity of
an extract. Also, different preparations vary in the relative
amounts and concentrations of chemical removed from the whole
botanical. For example, peppermint tea is generally considered safe
to drink but peppermint oil is much more concentrated and can be
toxic if used incorrectly. It is important to follow the
manufacturer's suggested directions for using a botanical and not
exceed the recommended dose without the advice of a health care
provider.
Does A Label Indicate The Quality Of A Botanical Dietary
Supplement Product
It is difficult to determine the quality of a botanical dietary
supplement product from its label. The degree of quality control
depends on the manufacturer, the supplier, and others in the
production process.
General Safety Advisory
* The information in this document does not replace medical advice.
* Before taking an herb or a botanical, consult a doctor or other
health care provider-especially if you have a disease or medical
condition, take any medications, are pregnant or nursing, or are
planning to have an operation.
* Before treating a child with an herb or a botanical, consult with
a doctor or other health care provider.
* Like drugs, herbal or botanical preparations have chemical and
biological activity. They may have side effects. They may interact
with certain medications. These interactions can cause problems and
can even be dangerous.
* If you have any unexpected reactions to an herbal or a botanical
preparation, inform your doctor or other health care provider.
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