Herbal supplements are mixtures of organic chemicals that may come from any raw or processed plant or plant part such as, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, or seeds (Bent, 2008). Herbalism is the study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants, commonly used as an alternate form of medicine. The history of herbalism can be traced back to the origin of humankind. For centuries, not only humans but also animals have been studied consuming plants for illness. Countless herbal supplements were found primarily through trial and error with much observation of the effects. These herbal supplements that many know as remedies, were passed from generation to generation; offering newly gained knowledge of the herbs. All over the world, …show more content…
Percentages of use peak at age 50 to 59, however they still remain high up to age 85 and up. Alternative medicine is more popular among women and individuals who have obtained a higher level of education and have a higher income rate. Figure 1 displays the use of alternative medicine by race/ethnicity in the United States (2008). As you can see although American Indian/Alaska Native individuals use the most alternative medicine you can see that other listed races and ethnicities follow close behind. Alternative medicine can by taken on a regular basis, as needed, or along side of alternative medicine therapy (e.g. meditation, deep breathing exercises, or …show more content…
This law removed the strict regulations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on herbal supplements. In order for the FDA to remove or regulate any dietary supplement it must proven to be unsafe, which is the opposite of how prescription drugs are regulated (Bent, 2008). This caused many controversial issues due to the fact that this method placed a lot of trust within the companies producing the supplements. However, contrary to popular belief, dietary supplements are regulated. According to Wollschlaeger, both the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) work together to ensure that supplements are safe and marketed correctly. In fact, the FDA is required to conduct a two-year study to ensure that supplements are not falsely advertised, and the FTC ensures that consumers have the information needed to make an informed decision when purchasing the products. The FTC also regulates the trade of the herbs, other ingredients, and supplements and has the right to cease any violations (2003). Through this restriction companies are forced to ethically obtain herbs and other ingredients; as a result, consumers can place their trust in the company and its