Shopping Tips for Alternative Medicine, Herbs and Supplements

Shopping for alternative medicines, herbs and supplements can be a hit and miss experience at best. Because these industries aren't regulated as are prescription medications and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, often what's in the products' ads, or even on the label, may or may not be true. Here are some tips to help you, the consumer, make wiser shopping decisions when it comes to alternative medicines, herbs and supplements.

Resources

When planning purchases for alternative medicines, herbs and/or supplements, making wise buying decisions is so much more than simply comparing prices and quantities. You're going to do your your best to ensure the product(s) you are buying are providing the substance(s) you intend to purchase and do so in a relatively safe, controlled and in a quality-driven, repetitious manner.

When doing your homework prior to making purchases, you are going to want to use resources that are independent, rather than what you can read from manufacturers' or advertisements. Material derived from independent sources seek only to inform, rather than to sway you into making a purchase.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Ph. 888-644-6226

Herb Research Foundation Ph. 303-449-2265

Paths to Wholeness Ph. 415-864-7234

American Holistic Medical Association Ph. 425-741-2996

American Herbalists Guild

QuackWatch Warns consumers about scams

Mixing Alternative Medicine Therapies

It is never a good idea to use therapies from more than one type of alternative medicine (Chinese, Ayurveda, Homeopathy) at a time. It may seem like you could pick or choose remedies or supplements from more than one school of alternative medicine, but it can be dangerous to your health to do so.

It is also wise to not decide to use two or more herbs without checking first with a reputable practitioner of the school of alternative medicine you've decided to use, and you must always tell your primary care physician and pharmacist of any alternative medicines, herbs or supplements.

Look for Certification from the USP

Since 2001, the non-profit agency, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), has had what it refers to as the Dietary Supplement Verification Program. With this program, manufacturers can voluntarily submit their products for testing by the USP. While this certification (USP on the label) only refers to "accuracy in labeling, purity and good manufacturing pratices" (Schneider, E.L.), it at least allays any fears in those regards. The USP certification bears no branding of the product itself as safe or effective.

Beware of Internet Purchasing

Internet sites have the least to lose should customers become upset with their products or practices. By the time a sufficient number of people have begun to complain about the company, it will simply close its website and begin again as a new entity. This is not true of every company that sells on the Internet; beware most of the websites which have to commercial stores or history.

Resources: Schneider, E. L., M.D. 2006. What Your Doctor Hasn't Told You and the Health Store Clerk Doesn't Know. Avery. NY, NY.