TO review safety issues associated with the use of herbal products.
DATA SOURCES:
Literature accessed through MEDLINE and other Internet search engines. Key search terms included herbs, dietary supplements, and safety.
DATA SYNTHESIS:
A misconception exists among consumers that herbal remedies are safe because they are natural. In an effort to provide healthcare practitioners with information necessary for a patient discussion, a review of safety concerns with herbal products was conducted.
CONCLUSIONS:
Several safety concerns exist with herbal products including lack of safety data, absence of quality-control requirements for potency and purity, and lenient labeling standards.
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