How do you know what's in an herbal supplement?
The FDA requires that the following information be included on the labels of all herbal supplements:
- The name of the herbal supplement
- The name and address of manufacturer or distributor
- A complete list of ingredients — either in the Supplement Facts panel or listed beneath it
- Serving size, amount and active ingredient
If you don't understand something on an herbal supplement's label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for clarification. An easy way to compare ingredients in different products is by using the Dietary Supplements Labels Database, which is available on the National Library of Medicine's Web site. The database has information on the ingredients of over 3,000 dietary supplements sold in the United States. You can look up products by brand name, uses, active ingredient or manufacturer.
