Health Tip: Taking an Herbal Supplement

Recommendations to help stay safe

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(HealthDay News) -- Any product labeled "herbal" doesn't automatically make it safe. So, it's important to carefully evaluate any herbal supplement.

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The Cleveland Clinic offers these suggestions:

• Don't look straight to herbal remedies if you get sick. See your doctor, find out what's wrong, and get the physician's advice on treatment.
• Skip herbal remedies altogether if you are pregnant or are trying to conceive.
• Never give herbal supplements to an infant.
• Never take more of an herbal remedy than its manufacturer recommends.
• Read labels, and only use products that specifically list which herbs (and amounts) are included.
• Always tell your doctor about any herbal products that you are taking.
• If you have any plant, flower or pollen allergies, pay attention to what's in the herbal supplements you're considering.
• Understand that there are no guarantees with herbal products, and that manufacturer or seller claims may not necessarily be accurate.

-- Diana Kohnle