Articles
Herbal supplements: What to know before you buy
Are herbal supplements safe?
How do you know if herbal supplements' claims are true?
Content
Are herbal supplements regulated?
Who shouldn't use herbal supplements?
How do you know what's in herbal supplements?
How do you know if supplement claims are true?
Safety tips for using herbal supplements
How do you know what's in herbal supplements?
The FDA requires that supplement labels include this information:
- Name of the supplement
- Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor
- Complete list of ingredients
- Serving size, amount and active ingredient
If you don't understand something on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain.
An easy way to compare ingredients in products is to use the Dietary Supplement Label Database, which is available on the website for the U.S. National Institute of Health. You can look up products by brand name, use, active ingredient or manufacturer.
