Safety issues with herbal products.
OBJECTIVE
To review safety issues associated with the use of herbal products.


METHODS
Literature accessed through MEDLINE and other Internet search engines. Key search terms included herbs, dietary supplements, and safety.


RESULTS
A misconception exists among consumers that herbal remedies are safe because they are natural. In an effort to provide healthcare practitioners with information necessary for a patient discussion, a review of safety concerns with herbal products was conducted.


CONCLUSIONS
Several safety concerns exist with herbal products including lack of safety data, absence of quality-control requirements for potency and purity, and lenient labeling standards.
Marrone
C M
CM
Purdue University/Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN, USA. marrone@lilly.com
D000329:Advertising; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D004348:Drug Labeling; D006801:Humans; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States