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by Eileen Malloy, MUSC Dietetic Intern

Herbal medicine is as old as civilization and has provided relief to mankind for centuries. Like modern medicine, though, herbal remedies require careful application.

Often herbal supplements can be as controversial as they are helpful. Consider garlic.

It has been used for centuries to heal wounds, to treat chest pain and infections. Today it is believed that garlic may help prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol, infections and even some cancers. As a result, garlic is available in a variety of forms: capsules, tablets, oils and fresh cloves.

Traditional medicine, on the other hand, discourages the use of herbal medicine. Doctors find a lack of scientific evidence proving the benefits of taking herbal supplements. Patients are deluded into thinking that they are doing all they can do to control their blood pressure, for instance, and the primary physician isn’t consulted until the illness becomes critical.

In an attempt to regulate this ancient industry, the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act of 1994 was created. As a result of this act, manufacturers were given the right to make structural and functional claims on their product label. The act established four guidelines for manufacturers to follow:

• claims must be truthful and not misleading
• claims cannot be for the cure, treatment, or prevention of disease.
• products must carry a disclaimer that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated the claim.
• claims must be based on scientific evidence.

One may ask, then, why the FDA has not evaluated and proven the effects of different herbal supplements. The bottom line is cost. The FDA cannot afford to investigate every claim. The manufacturers themselves are responsible for providing the evidence to support their claims.

For this reason, the guideline for claims on scientific evidence is frequently violated. It can be extremely difficult for companies to recover the cost invested in herbal supplements since patents are available only for products that are specially formulated. Natural products are specially formulated by mother nature and therefore cannot be protected by patents.

With so many herbal products available on the market, consumers need to be aware of the risks involved in taking herbal supplements. Consumers should consult with reliable sources for information regarding products. There are a number of doctors and herbal specialists in the Charleston area. These professionals can help determine the appropriate treatment for their patient’s needs.

If you would like any other information, contact your physician, dietitian or Gary Nestler at Complementary Medicine, 792-1270, nestlerg@musc.edu.