January is the month new year resolutions. Most often a resolution includes improving your health, exercising more, eating right, and taking vitamins. Some may be contemplating taking herbal supplements.
What is a botanical dietary supplement? Botanical is a plant or a part of a plant. Herbal products, botanical product or phytomedicines may all mean the same thing. They all come from a plant.
Most botanicals are considered supplements. But some are not. Congress passed the “Dietary Supplement Act,” which became law in 1994. This act defined supplement as just that, to supplement the diet. It must also contain one or more dietary ingredients including vitamins, minerals, herbs or amino acids. It is intended to be taken by mouth and is labeled as a supplement on the front panel of the container.
In 2001, the FDA also included dietary supplements as part of the Good Manufacturing Practices. For items labeled as supplements, manufactures, are now expected to guarantee the identify, purity, strength and composition of the supplement.
Some botanicals are sold as fresh or dried products, liquid or extract, tea bags, powder and many other forms.
It is important to note that in the US, dietary supplements are not required to be standardized. Many people believe that products labeled “natural” are safe and good for them. According to the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, “The safety of botanicals depends on many things such as its chemical makeup, how it works in the body, how it is prepared, and the dose used.”
Consumers need to be responsible and take the initiative to be informed. Like other supplements, botanical supplements are not required by federal law to be tested for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed. The scientific evidence behind their effectiveness varies widely. Therefore, just because the manufacturer states the effectiveness on the label doesn’t mean that there are many studies support it.
Therefore, consumers need to be well informed of dangers and side effects of botanicals, herbal supplements and supplements. How can you be informed? Check out the Office of Dietary Supplements web site. There are several fact sheets on a variety of supplements and botanicals. Also, ask your health care provider what they have heard about the product you are considering purchasing.
Warm up this winter with this recipe for chai tea. Enjoy!
Chai Tea
1 cup water
1 ½ piece fresh ginger, unpeeled, coarsely grated or 1/3 teaspoon ground ginger
1 -3 inch cinnamon stick, lightly crushed with the flat side of a knife or 1 teaspoon cinnamon
6 teaspoons loose strong black tea such as “Assam” or 6 tea bags
14 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed or ¾ teaspoon cardamom seeds lightly crushed
2 ¾ cups milk
1/3 cup raw honey or pure maple syrup (regular honey or pancake syrup may be substituted)
Bring ginger, cinnamon, and 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Lower heat and simmer rapidly, stirring occasionally, until liquid is boiling and very fragrant about 2 -3 minutes.
Remove pan from heat, stir in tea and cardamom, and let steep 2 minutes.
Return pan to medium-high heat and stir in milk, syrup or honey. Cook, stirring occasionally until mixture begins to foam up and boil. Remove from heat. Let sit 2 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a teapot. Serve. Serves 4 – 8 oz servings.
