Herbs and Supplements: Your GoodRx Guide

Overview

To maintain health and treat disease, many people use supplements and herbs in addition to their diet. In fact, over 75% of adults in the U.S. report using some kind of dietary supplement. People use herbs and supplements for many potential health benefits. And they come in many forms, from pills and powders to lozenges and liquids. 

Like medications, herbs and supplements come with their own risks and side effects. But the FDA doesn’t regulate them to the same degree. They can interact with other supplements, medications, and even lab tests.

It’s important to understand the benefits and risks. So be sure to talk with your healthcare provider to see if supplements or herbs might be right for you.

Over-the-Counter Medications vs. Dietary Supplements: What’s the Difference?

Written by Alex Evans, PharmD, MBA

Herbs

Herbs, or botanicals, are a common type of supplement made from plants for the purpose of health benefits. The supplements may have the entire part of a plant or just one part of a plant. The ingredients and potency (strength) of herbal products can vary.

Common herbal supplements include: 

• Black cohosh, for menopausal symptoms

• Chamomile, for sleep and relaxation

• Cranberry, for urinary tract infections

• Echinacea, for respiratory infections

• Elderberry, for immune function and respiratory infections

• Feverfew, for migraines and menstrual cramps

• Garlic, for high blood pressure or high cholesterol

• Ginger, for nausea and vomiting 

• Ginkgo biloba, for memory

• Ginseng, for energy and immune function

• Hawthorn, for heart health

• Saw palmetto, for prostate health 

• St. John’s wort, for depression

• Turmeric, for inflammation and immune function

• Valerian, for sleep and anxiety

Adaptogens: Can These Plants Really Help Combat Stress?

Written by Samvida Patel, MNSP, INHC

Supplements

People use dietary supplements to get nutrients in addition to what they get from food. Beyond the herbs discussed above, other supplements may include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics. 

Common dietary supplements include:

• Calcium, for bone health

• Coenzyme Q10, for heart health

• Fiber, for a healthy weight and gut health

• Vitamin D, for bone and immune health

• Magnesium, for bone health or headaches

• Melatonin, for sleep

• Multivitamin, for increased nutrient intake

• Omega-3 fatty acids, for heart and brain health

• Probiotics, for gastrointestinal health

The Top 8 Vitamins and Supplements for Vegans

Written by Ana Reisdorf, MS, RD

Dosing

The dosing of herbs and supplements vary based on the type of supplement or herb and on the form it comes in. They may come in capsules, pills, teas, lozenges, or syrups. Different products may contain varying strengths of the active ingredient.

All supplements will have the name, list of ingredients, and serving size on the label. It’s important to look for the active ingredient(s) and follow the recommended dosage. 

You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist to help you understand ingredients and recommended dosage. You can also search the National Institutes of Health’s Dietary Supplement Label Database to learn more.

How Much Vitamin D Should I Be Taking a Day and How Much Is Too Much?

Written by Sharon Orrange, MD, MPH

Benefits

People take herbs and supplements for different benefits, including to:

• Maintain health or treat a health condition: like taking calcium and vitamin D for osteoporosis

• Get nutrients they may not get from food: like taking a multivitamin or omega-3 fatty acids

• Treat symptoms: like taking valerian to help with sleep

Some people may turn to herbs and supplements when they do not feel satisfied with conventional medical treatments. A common misperception is that dietary and herbal supplements are safe or safer than conventional medications. But it’s important to know they also can have potential risks and side effects (more on this below).

What to Know About Prenatal Vitamins

Written by Christina Palmer, MD

Evidence

There is some evidence that certain herbs and supplements can help specific conditions. But there are still remaining questions and ongoing research efforts. You can ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the available evidence for different supplements. This is especially true if you are taking supplements to address an insufficiency. 

You can also search for information on supplements on your own. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health supports a lot of research into supplements, herbs, and other complementary and integrative therapies. You can look at what research is current and ongoing in this area.

Here are some additional resources to learn more about specific supplements and herbs:

• NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database

• NIH MedlinePlus Herbs and Supplements Directory

• NIH Fact Sheets

• Consumer Lab

Risks

Herbs and supplements may be labeled as “natural,” but this does not guarantee that they are safe. The FDA does not approve them — or their labels — for efficacy or safety. The FDA does ask manufacturers to follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for dietary supplements. 

But because supplements are not regulated the same way as medications, there is no guarantee that they are safe. There is the risk that they:

• Do not contain what they say they do

• Contain contaminants (such as heavy metals or microbes)

• Have misleading claims on the label

And just like medications, herbs and supplements may also have side effects. They can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, and allergic reactions. Some herbs and supplements can interact with other medications or over-the-counter products. This can lead to dangerous and even life-threatening complications. 

Certain populations are more at risk of dangerous side effects like bleeding or medication interactions. These populations include:

• Children

• People over age 65

• Anyone pregnant or breastfeeding

• People with upcoming surgery or recovering from a recent surgery

6 Dietary Supplements That Can Interact with Your Diabetes Medications

Written by Connie Zheng, PharmD