HOW CAN HERBS AND HERBAL MEDICINE HELP ME?

Herbs can offer you a wide range of safe and effective therapeutic treatments that you can use to create and sustain optimum health. They can be used in three essential ways:

1. to prevent disease
2. to help increase the bodies ability to fight disease 
3. to maximize one's health potential.

Herbs are also used for the symptomatic relief of minor ailments.

 HOW CAN I KNOW IF A PARTICULAR HERB WILL WORK FOR ME?

Medicine is an art, not just a science. No one can predict which herb will work best for every individual in all situations. This can only come with educated self-experimentation and experience or by seeking the assistance of those who are knowledgeable in clinical herbal medicine. The simpler the condition, the easier it is to find a solution. The more complicated the condition, the greater the need there is to seek expert advice.

 HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR HERBS TO BE EFFECTIVE?

The success of herbal treatment always depends upon a variety of factors including how long the condition has existed, the severity of the condition, the dosage and treatment plan and how diligently they are followed. It can be as short as 60 seconds when using a spoonful of herbal bitters for gas and bloating after a heavy meal; 20 minutes when soaking in a bath with rosemary tea for a headache; days when using tonics to build energy; or months to correct long-standing gynecological imbalances. Difficult chronic conditions can often take years to reverse.

 HOW SAFE ARE HERBS?

It depends on the herbs. Most herbs sold as dietary supplements are very safe. When used appropriately, the majority of herbs used by practitioners have no adverse side effects. A review of the traditional and scientific literature worldwide demonstrates that serious side effects from the use of herbal medicines are rare.

 HOW IS THE HERBAL INDUSTRY REGULATED?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) primarily regulates the marketing and advertising of products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily regulates the manufacture and labeling of herbal products and has legal authority over assuring that products are manufactured correctly and are truthfully labeled with respect to ingredients and claims. Additionally, there are a number of trade associations that require member companies to adhere to specific codes of ethics and conduct their own testing programs.