Researchers believe the problem could be larger than the scope of their study indicates as most herbs sold in the United States are imported from developing nations where there is little environmental oversight and regulation. Unlike food or pharmaceutical medicine, there is no US government agency overseeing the distribution and safety of herbal supplements. “The bottom line,” said herbalist Sarah Richards of http://www.homegrowntea.com, “those herbs touted as ‘healthy’ could contain any number of potentially deadly contaminates.”
According to a recent survey of popular herbal supplement manufacturers, none could identify the source of the herbs in their brands or the medical efficacy of their respective herbs. “I personally would never take an herbal supplement or drink an herbal tea or energy drink if I didn’t know where the herbs were coming from,” said Sarah Richards. Richards, who owns an herbal apothecary, located online at http://www.homegrowntea.com, sells only fresh organic herbs grown by local farmers. “The fact is, the herbs in your name-brand herbal teas, pills and skin care products can contain any number of toxic chemicals. They’re advertised as healthy and good for you – but the truth is there is a high degree of probability they contain more harmful ingredients than good.”
One market analysis valued the herbal industry at 14 billion dollars and growing. “It’s a shame that people are selling poor quality herbs,” Richards said. “It gives the whole industry a black eye. The truth is, If you want quality herbs with real medicinal value - buy them from a supplier who can tell you where their herbs come from.”
