Herbal

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Herbal supplements are made from plants, roots, resins and mushrooms, and come as capsules, tablets, powders and liquid extracts. This collection includes shilajit, milk thistle, moringa, catuaba, lion's mane, chaga, sea moss and other traditional ingredients, from brands such as Asli Ayurveda, NOW Foods, Life Cykel, Piping Rock and Horbaach.

Read the Herbal buying guide
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Herbal: buying guide

Natural does not mean risk-free

The Better Health Channel points out that herbs can be potent, and that people sometimes wrongly assume herbal products are safe because they are natural. Effects can include allergic reactions, headaches, nausea and digestive upset. Herbs can also interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines: St John's wort, for example, can make other medicines, including the contraceptive pill, less effective. Better Health also warns that some products bought online from overseas have been found to contain dangerous levels of lead, mercury or arsenic.

Reading a herbal label

  • AUST L number. This shows a product is listed with the TGA as a lower-risk medicine. CHOICE notes the TGA does not check the evidence for every listed product before it goes on sale; the company must hold that evidence, and the TGA reviews a small percentage each year.
  • Plant part and form. Root, leaf, seed and resin products differ. Check whether it is a whole herb powder or an extract.
  • Extract strength. Look for the amount of extract per serve and any standardisation to an active compound, such as silymarin in milk thistle.
  • Allergens and fillers. Check capsule material and the full ingredient list.

What the research says: an example

Milk thistle is one of the better-studied herbs, yet the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says clinical trial results for liver conditions are conflicting or too limited to draw conclusions. It appears well tolerated, can cause bloating or nausea, and may trigger allergies in people sensitive to the daisy family, such as ragweed. Some products have been found to contain amounts that differ from the label. For many other herbs, human research is thinner still, so keep expectations modest.

Who should check first

Tell your GP or pharmacist about every supplement you take, especially if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, take regular medication or have allergies. Never stop a prescribed medicine to try a herbal product.

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Related categories

Sources: Better Health Channel: Herbal medicine; CHOICE: Listed vs registered medicines; NCCIH: Milk thistle.

Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $100 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person before you buy. Members can use our price match guarantee on full-priced items.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.

Herbal: questions and answers

Can I take herbal supplements with prescription medicine?
Check with your GP or pharmacist first. The Better Health Channel warns that herbal products can interact in harmful ways with prescription and over-the-counter medicines. St John's wort, for example, can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines, including the contraceptive pill. Tell every health professional you see about all the supplements you take, and never stop a prescribed medicine without advice.
What does AUST L mean on a supplement?
AUST L means the product is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods as a lower-risk medicine. CHOICE explains that the TGA does not check the evidence for every listed product before sale. The sponsor must hold evidence that it works and meets safety and quality standards, and the TGA reviews a small percentage of listed products each year.
Does milk thistle help the liver?
The evidence is not strong. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says clinical trials of milk thistle for liver conditions have produced conflicting or limited results, and two studies it funded did not show benefits from the extract silymarin. It appears well tolerated, but can cause digestive upset and allergies in people sensitive to ragweed and daisies.
How do I choose a good quality herbal supplement?
Buy from a reputable retailer, check the label for the plant part, extract amount and any standardisation, and look for an AUST L number on Australian products. The Better Health Channel warns that some overseas products bought online have contained dangerous levels of lead, mercury or arsenic. Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure about a product's safety or quality.

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