All this, according to researchers, has put a severe strain on natural resources, resulting in indiscriminate harvesting of wild species of plant material. Based on their preliminary tests, the Notre Dame researchers estimate that many ordinary supplements used in the US and labeled “all natural” may very well be subjected to toxic pollution contamination, including heavy metals and organic contaminants, and might pose a serious health risk. The analyzed supplements were found to contain one or more heavy metals in surprisingly high quantities. The analysis also showed that two other organic compounds known to be eye and respiratory irritants were also found in the herbal medicines with relatively high concentrations.
“What most people don’t understand is that there are only a handful of labs in the US that produce all the herbal supplements for the thousands of brands that exists in the US.” said herbalist Sarah Richards, owner of http://homegrowntea.com, an online herbal tisanes apothecary and tea shop. “They all get their herbs from the same place – usually China. Even the herbal tea manufacturers – they’re all buying the same herbs from just a handful of huge processing and distribution operations.”
The researchers suggest that further research is required to identify possible pesticides in herbal medicines. They also note that plant-based medicines are not regulated by governments and that legislative reforms and new technologies are needed to ensure the safety of consumers and the effectiveness of the supplements.
“We are a pill mentality people,” Richards said. “We check the dosage and pop the pill. We don’t know where the herbs come from, how they were farmed or how old they are or even how potent they are. It says “all natural” so we assume it is safe. Well, have you look at Nature recently? It’s pretty polluted.”
Richards own herbal apothecary sells only locally farmed and one hundred percent organic herbal infusions, hand blended on site. “Herbs are a plant,” she said. “Their botanical oils and medicinal properties – all that molecular complexity - must be activated by steeping or tincturing. You can’t just grind them up and stick them in a pill and expect they’re going to cure you.”
Richards, who practices Ayurveda medicine, an ancient healing art that emphasizes balance as the essence of health, believes that anyone using herbal supplements should consider switching to fresh, herbal tisanes or teas. “Not only do fresh organic herbs give you a higher medicinal efficacy, but they also impart a much more complex, robust flavor that you just don’t get from the additives, sweeteners and the oils that the big companies bulk up their herbal teas with.”
As equally important, she stresses, is how the herbs are prepared and digested. This means much more than throwing back a pill. “Wherever herbs have been shown to dramatically improve health and wellbeing there has been a whole cultural component to it. There is an intentionality that goes into each cup. Taking the time to enjoy it, to meditate and reflect over how those herbs are benefiting you – to taste them and savor them. This is so much more than popping a pill.”
Homegrown Herb and Tea, which launched this month at http://homegrowntea.com, makes available over 40 of Richards most popular herbal tea blends from her herbal tea apothecary in Portland, Maine.
For additional information on Homegrown Herb and Tea go to http://www.homegrowntea.com.
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