Herbal supplements: What to know before you buy

How safe do you think herbal supplements are?

Very safe, but before anyone tries any of them, they need to account for any allergies they may have. I've been taking supplements and vitamins for about 25 years, and have had little trouble with any of them, but have to caution people that I have had reactions to two (and these are not herbal, but are a mineral and a vitamin): magnesium (caused diarrhea), and niacin (caused niacin flush... scary as the dickens if you don't know what it is).

Before beginning any unfamiliar supplement, I research it to get the pros and cons, possible side-effects, etc. There are many I refuse to take because the consensus is that they don't work, may be harmful, and are expensive.

Before I commit to a supplement, I first buy the smallest quantity I can find, and if they don't cause a problem, I stock up on the largest-sized bottles I can find.

So, as I said, barring allergies and potential uncomfortable (but not life-threatening) side effects, supplements are safe enough in my opinion.

How safe do you think herbal supplements are?

Before taking any herbal supplements, I suggest that any interested person gathers as much info as they can, not only on all the known direct effects of those supplements, but about the possible combined effects of those with other medications they are taking at the time. The latter consideration is of capital importance! Some of those interactions can be quite deadly; amongst other wise steps to take on that front, consulting a Pharmacist is always a good idea. He/She is a professional that has access to a lot of info in that regard.