According to the New York Times, a 2015 DNA-testing study conducted by the New York Attorney General’s office found that, out of the hundreds of products tested, four out of five bottles of store-brand herbal supplements contained no trace of the herbs listed on the label.
Instead, the article claims, they contained cheap fillers, which ranged from wheat and rice to beans and houseplants. The test included products from four major store chains - including Walmart, Target, GNC and Walgreens.
These pills may pose serious health risks for consumers. Unlike prescription medications, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not manage or oversee an approval process for herbal supplements. Companies are required to verify that their products are safe and labeled accurately.
Unfortunately, these studies suggest that cheap fillers aren’t making it to the label, and people who have certain allergies, or who are taking certain medications, may risk allergic reactions or drug interactions from these off label fillers.
Despite the recent rash of negative press surrounding herbal supplements, those pills which do contain the active ingredient(s) that they tout are actually powerful tools for boosting a number of aspects of health -- from supercharging the immune system and increasing energy to aiding in memory function and easing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The bottom line: do your homework. Consult with your physician and make sure the supplement you choose is on the up and up.
Here are four lesser-known herbal supplements that you may want to consider adding to your vitamin regimen: