Herbal products have become increasing popular in the last decade- garnering notice and respect among consumers and medical professionals alike. The appeal that herbal products have is unique in that they work as an aid to the body's natural defense systems. The herbal craze has hit the market and it is clear that herbs are here to stay. But you may ask yourself, just how safe are the herbal products available today?
How many times have you heard "you are what you eat"-enough times that you know to be careful of what you put into your body? From digestive aids to proactive herbal health measures, more people are turning to herbal remedies-and more manufacturers are cashing in on America's love affair with herbal supplements.. Many people assume that anything herbal is harmless, but this is not always true.. Like anything else you put in your body, you should research ingredients and their effects before taking an herbal product. . Some herbs have been subject to extensive research and any side-effect, or lack thereof can be easily found on medically credible Internet sources-so that you can make an informed decision on using them. .
Some herbs are truly beneficial and have potential to improve and sustain health--and, even these herbs may come with warnings. Take for example the herb senna, used in many herbal colon cleansers. Senna is a natural and effective laxative, but should never be taken for more than 7 days consecutively. A reputable manufacturer will provide you this information either on the labels or on a leaflet tucked inside the product packaging. However, some manufacturers may not provide such information, and so it is up to the consumer to find information regarding the ingredients in herbal products before consuming them.
Many people are unaware that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate dietary supplements as strictly as they do pharmaceuticals. This doesn't mean you can assume all dietary supplements are safe to use, in fact, certain dietary supplements have been recalled and taken off the market because of poor manufacturing practices or ingredients that have had adverse side effects. . This is just another reason for potential consumers to be well-informed and insist on a product that has been manufactured by a GMP-certified company..
A few years ago Herbal Science International, Inc. at the urging of the FDA issued a voluntary recall of herbal colon cleansers that contained aristolochic acid because it was shown to present serious health risks to consumers. Just like formulations for synthetic drugs, an herbal product too, needs to be formulated carefully. Some herbs cannot be mixed with others; while some herbs compliment the functions of another, and some herbs may present health risks to certain consumers-depending on what medications they are already taking or if they have specific health issues. In addition to the safety of herbs, there is another important issue at stake. This is the potency of active ingredients in herbal products. Herbs are delicate and perishable. They need to be processed and manufactured under special conditions to ensure that active ingredients retain their full potency. Only a manufacturer which practices GMPs (good manufacturing practice) will ensure that all care is taken so that the active ingredients in herbs remain fresh during the entire manufacturing process and throughout product storage.
If you are choosing an herbal colon cleanser, what should you look for? First of all, avoid tall claims; be skeptical of products that promise too much of a good thing-remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Check the supplement label, study various ingredients. A good herbal colon cleanser should contain fiber, and an assortment of herbs. Each ingredient should be well explained on the product's website, including any side effects or prohibitive duration of use. Most of all use a product that is manufactured by a reputable manufacturer, upholding stringent manufacturing practices. Herbal colon cleansers can help to alleviate constipation, but a good herbal colon cleanser will also have a colon maintenance program which will strengthen the body's eliminatory organs so that they perform optimally to eliminate waste from the body. Herbal, is by far, the better choice! A safe, herbal product is a choice that you can make by being an informed consumer.
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The Truth about the Safety of Herbal Colon Cleansers
