3 Tips for Herbal Safety
- Brainz Magazine
- May 25
- 6 min read
Lamar Greene is a passionate full-spectrum doula, spiritual life coach, and budding community herbalist with a meaningful background in reproductive health advocacy both in the U.S. and globally. They are the founder of Doula Alchemist Healing, a Black and Queer-owned healing practice centered around reproductive justice and spirituality.
The use of herbal remedies and supplements worldwide has increased exponentially in the past three decades. More people are seeking to practice holistic wellness in efforts to limit their use of pharmaceutical medications, prevent disease development, and improve their quality of life. As with anything, however, once something starts becoming more and more widespread, it is important to consider public health and safety. This article will provide three useful herbal safety tips for you to have as you begin or continue to use herbal remedies and supplements as a part of your wellness routine.
A background of the U.S. herbal products and supplements industry
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. is responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of various products, including pharmaceuticals, food, medical devices, cosmetics, and more. Despite the herbal supplements market being a large segment of the American economy, bringing in more than 15 billion dollars in 2023, according to the American Botanical Council, the FDA does not regulate herbal supplements like pharmaceutical drugs. From a regulatory standpoint, herbal supplements are considered foods, so they are not regulated for premarketing purity and potency like conventional medications. Ultimately, the testing, manufacturing, and labeling standards for herbal supplements are different from those of pharmaceutical drugs.
While it doesn’t test herbal supplements before they are sold, the FDA does work with the Federal Trade Commission to regulate the marketing claims of dietary supplements and make sure they are not misleading. Also, manufacturers and distributors of herbal supplements must report any serious adverse effects to the FDA and notify the FDA of any new ingredients added to their supplements. Herbal supplements are also still required to adhere to the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). Established in 1969, the cGMPs address issues such as hygiene standards, equipment maintenance, storage of products, and more. These regulations are intended to prevent contamination, product mix-ups, and other manufacturing errors.
Some of the risks of herbal supplements being in a lower regulatory class than medications are that people could experience adverse reactions, and products could potentially be misbranded. The media has reported incidents of liver damage and other injuries sustained from herbal supplements, but within context, we can see that miseducation, improper dosages, and other cases of misuse have been some of the largest issues. Herbal education is still something new and exploratory for many people, but don’t fret. You can still reap the many bountiful benefits of herbs and plant medicine while doing so safely. Here are three tips for herbal safety.
3 tips for herbal safety
1. Source with ethics and safety in mind
One tip for herbal safety is to source the herbal products you use with ethics and safety in mind. When grown and harvested responsibly, herbal treatments could be better for the environment than the production of other conventional medications. When not sourced responsibly, herbal products could raise concerns of over-harvesting and the presence of heavy metals. There are many different pathways for accessing herbs, and your safety strategy may differ depending on the sourcing. If you are getting herbal supplements, you can contact the manufacturer or a commercial laboratory directly for more information about the product and its contents. The manufacturer’s contact information should be on the label of any herbal supplement.
Several independent organizations offer quality testing on herbal supplements to verify the listed ingredients, check for contaminants and adulteration, confirm the manufacturer followed the FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices, and more. If the herbal supplements meet the quality testing requirements and standards, the organizations allow them to use their symbol on labels to signify quality testing to consumers. Some of the most commonly known independent quality testing organizations include ConsumerLab, US Pharmacopeia, and NSF International. There are also other quality testing organizations out there. Just be sure to review their standards and ensure that they align with your standards for herbal safety.
Apothecaries and herbal shops are places where you can access minimally processed herbs to use in remedies for yourself and your family. This may be an alternative if you want to avoid supplements or access whole herbs and simple ingredients. Many apothecaries grow the herbs they sell themselves, which could be great. Regardless, you just want to make sure to ask how their herbs are sourced to assess alignment with your standards for ethics and safety. You also have the option of foraging herbs yourself, which has its own set of considerations. It’s important to follow any rules or laws for where you forage, extract only what you need of bountiful plants to avoid overharvesting, and avoid places near potential sources of contamination. Still, there is a lot that goes into developing the skill of foraging, so a guided tour with someone knowledgeable may be a great starting point.
2. Create and consult your care team
Adding herbal supplements and remedies to your practice of holistic wellness is not something that you have to undergo all on your own. There are many avenues to go about getting herbal education that is evidence-based while honoring cultural wisdom. You can pursue herbalism courses, workshops, retreats, and more. It is also important to create a care team to help you explore the many benefits of plant medicine in a way that honors safety. Some key care providers to think about include a clinician, a pharmacist, and an herbalist. Taking in the expertise and perspective of all these roles can support you in making informed and balanced decisions about your health that work best for you.
Take contraindications, for example. Contraindications are symptoms, medical conditions, or other treatments that may make a particular remedy not be recommended because it could be harmful. A doctor, nurse, or pharmacist will be able to tell you which herbs to avoid because they may be contraindicated for a medical condition you have or a medication you are taking. An herbalist will likely be aware of contraindications as well, but more importantly, they can also help you identify other herbs that may be safer for you in achieving your health goals. With their different expertise, the members of your care team can function like a council providing information about appropriate dosages for herbal medicine, quality herbal supplements, and local apothecary recommendations.
3. Take a slow and holistic approach
Starting slow is an important guideline when making any change or addition to your wellness practice. It not only addresses safety concerns, but it also supports you in being sustainable and consistent. Just because an herb is touted for its benefits does not mean it will impact you the same way. Everybody is different. Many herbs have similar or overlapping functions and benefits, and some herbal remedies and supplements work better for some people than others. By limiting the number of herbal products that you use at once and starting slow, you get to see how your body responds and create space to make proper adjustments.
Taking a holistic and balanced approach is also very important. Herbs should be used with a focus on holistic nutrition because consuming isolated nutrients, especially in large quantities, can potentially lead to imbalances and have harmful effects. Beyond nutrition, many herbs provide multiple nutrients and benefits to the body. When it comes to herbal remedies and supplements, often less is more. Lastly, while herbal medicine can be a huge pillar of wellness and prevention for you, it should be viewed as a tool benefiting your overall well-being. It is important for you to also engage in movement, rest, healthy emotional regulation, empowering community spaces, and spiritual self-care alongside consuming herbal remedies and supplements.
Let’s connect you to empowering healing services
Are you ready to experience transformative guidance and support during your reproductive care experience? Are you ready to evolve and fully commit to becoming the highest and most authentic version of yourself? Whether you are juggling all the changes that come with being postpartum, seeking non-judgmental support alongside abortion care, ready to set your intentions for an affirming birth experience, or looking for spiritual guidance on generating more harmony and alignment in your life, I am here to be a grounding and compassionate support person for you. Herbal education is integrated into all of my services. Check out the descriptions of my service offerings, and book a free 30-minute consultation call to take the first steps toward a journey of empowerment and transformation. Your higher self already thanks you!
Disclaimer: The material in this article is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or healthcare professional.
Read more from Lamar Greene
Lamar Greene, Full-Spectrum Doula and Spiritual Coach
Lamar Greene is a passionate reproductive justice advocate who has answered their calling as a healer. Greene is a full-spectrum doula, spiritual life coach, and budding community herbalist motivated by their mother’s birthing narrative and their own life’s journey. They earned their Full Spectrum Doula Certification with Birthing Advocacy Doula Training and completed their Spiritual Life Coach Certification with Transformation Academy™. Their interest in spirituality was sparked in 2017 by a summer study abroad trip, where they lived and learned amongst Tibetan monastic communities in India. They are the founder of Doula Alchemist Healing, a Black and Queer-owned healing practice centered around reproductive justice and spirituality.
