| What is a botanical? The study of plants is called | | | | the consumer drowsy and dry in the mouth as do |
| botany, so a botanical is a plant, or part thereof, that is | | | | some other over-the counter, or even prescription, |
| valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Some | | | | drugs. It can be taken as a tea, a tablet or in the form |
| people groups have used these botanical - or herbal - | | | | of a lolly (sweet). There are many herbal products on |
| supplements for thousands of years to alleviate some | | | | the market, and some claim to help mental ability, while |
| conditions. However, even though they are gaining in | | | | others are said to increase strength or energy, help |
| popularity, many professional health carers in the | | | | you sleep, or cope with stress. Most of them are quite |
| western world still doubt their usefulness. | | | | expensive, so make sure you really do need that |
| The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act | | | | product before you buy it. |
| (1994) has ruled that before a botanical can be | | | | If you have a disease or are on medication of any kind |
| classified as a dietary supplement, it must... | | | | and wish to try an herbal remedy, it would be wise to |
| · Be intended to supplement the diet. | | | | consult a knowledgeable health professional before |
| · Contain one or more dietary ingredient like | | | | doing so. Some herbal remedies have been shown to |
| vitamins, or their constituents. | | | | react adversely to chemical substances. |
| · Be intended for use in oral form such as tablets, | | | | Many people accept herbal medications as safe |
| capsules liquid or powder. | | | | because they are 'natural', but this is not necessarily so. |
| · Be labelled on the front that it is intended as a | | | | Many plants are poisonous, or may have serious side |
| dietary supplement. | | | | effects or give allergic reactions when taken by |
| Many herbal remedies meet these criteria. They are | | | | susceptible individuals. One such case is bee pollen. |
| also packaged and sold as teas and infusions, tinctures | | | | Just as you can be allergic to bee stings without |
| and extracts, and are becoming increasingly popular in | | | | knowing it (if you've never been stung) so an allergy to |
| western countries, being used to relieve mild conditions | | | | bee pollen may also be present. While many herbal |
| instead of what is seen as the harsher chemical | | | | concoctions can be useful, you should always |
| alternative. | | | | approach new herbal products with caution. It is better |
| For instance, ginger in various forms is used to combat | | | | to be safe than sorry. |
| travel and morning sickness,because it does not make | | | | |