Use and Safety of Natural Medicine (dietary supplements)

According to the National Institute of Health the difference between a dietary supplement (natural medicine, herbal remedy, alternative medicine) and a drug lies in the use of the agent, not in the nature of the agent itself.  If an herb, vitamin, mineral, or amino acid is used to resolve a nutritional deficiency or to improve or sustain the structure or function of the body, the agent is considered a dietary supplement (natural medicine, herbal remedy, alternative medicine).  If the agent is used to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure a disease, the agent is considered a drug.

Several health dietary supplements (natural health) have shown to yield positive encouraging data in U. S. studies of dietary health supplements.  Natural Medicines comprehensive database contains information that is considered "reliable" for the U. S. healthcare professionals. 

The American Botanical Council has published a Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines which about 70% of the physicians in general practice in Germany prescribe as herbal remedies.  In view of the significant role phytomedicines play in Germany the government has developed a mechanism to assure users of their safety and efficacy.  This therapeutic guide referred to as "Commission E" includes information obtained from clinical trials, field studies, scientific published literature and expertise of medical associations.

This Commission E which includes about 300 monographs (written data on 300 single herbs) has been translated into English by the American Botanical Council.  Taken as a whole they represent the most accurate information available in the entire world on the safety and efficacy of herbs and phytomedicines.

The following information from the National Institute of Health details who uses natural medicine, why they use it and what they use the most:

	On average users of natural medicine (dietary supplements) tend to be women, older, better educated, live in 1 or 2 person households, have slightly higher incomes, and live in metropolitan areas.
	Primary reason for using herbal supplements:  to improve overall health and wellness; to improve performance and energy; to treat and prevent illness; to alleviate depression.
	Use of natural medicine (herbal remedies) is more frequent among Americans who have one or more health problems; who have specific diseases (breast cancer), who consume high amounts of alcohol, or who are obese.
	Use of vitamins and minerals (a subset of natural medicine) is 40-60% of the population take at least one vitamin and mineral at sometime within a month.
	Vitamins and minerals outsold herbals/botanicals.  In herbal category formulas led single herbs and sales of women's products increased.

When considering the use of natural medicine or an herbal remedy work with your healthcare providers to determine how to best achieve optimal health.  For more information on natural medicine visit http://www.shopnaturalhealth.net.  Ask the Pharmacist about natural medicine and drugs. 

Author:  Sharon Stewart

Edited and Reviewed by:  Don Stewart, RPh

References:  National Institute of Health:  http://ods.od.nih.gov/

                   The American Botanical Council:  The Complete German Commission E Monographs http://www.herbalgram.org/