Herbal products and homeopathy not so easy to discern, regulated differently

CHICAGO - Some herbal and homeopathic remedies now share drugstore shelf space with more stringently regulated drugs. Here are some ways they are different from traditional medicines:

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

Examples: Echinacea, saw palmetto, ginger, St. John's wort.

Regulation & Labeling: Do not require Food and Drug Administration review of safety and effectiveness. Products cannot make claims about diseases, such as "helps joint pain." They must be unadulterated with ingredients clearly listed. Some, like Airborne note the FDA has not approved its packaging language regarding cold symptoms.

History: Herbs have been used to treat illness and promote health for thousands of years.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Examples: Cold-Eeze, Zicam and other products containing dilutions of substances from plants, minerals or animals.

Regulation & Labeling: Do not require FDA review for safety and effectiveness. Unlike herbal supplements, labels must list medical problems the products are meant to treat and instructions for use. Homeopathic products generally call themselves "homeopathic."

History: Homeopathy dates back to the late 1700s when medical treatments included more severe methods such as bloodletting.

From Healthy.net

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