Herbal Products

Choosing and Using Wisely

For centuries, people have used over 13,000 plant species to try to prevent and treat many different conditions. While herbs have always been used in other parts of the world, their use in the United States went down with the rise of prescription drugs. Today, interest in herbs is up again, so it is very important to know how to choose and use these natural remedies wisely.

People are usually careful when taking drugs, but they often think that because an herbal product is natural it is completely safe. Unfortunately, this isn't true. It is important to use herbals carefully, too. Tell your health care professional (doctor, pharmacist, nurse, dietitian) about any herbal product you are taking. Ask your health care professional if an herbal product is safe and right for you. Don't rely on the claims of others or ads in newspapers, magazines, or on television.

• Do not combine herbal products with other herbal products or without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist.
  
• Do not substitute an herbal product for a medication that you are taking without checking with your doctor first. The herbal product may not work as well.
  
• Do not take herbal products for longer than recommended on the label--usually more than a few weeks or months.
  
• Do not take higher doses than recommended on the label. More is not better.
  
• Do not take herbal products within 2 weeks before surgery. Many herbs can affect anesthesia and blood clotting.
  
• Do not take an herbal product if you are pregnant or nursing without first checking with your health care professional.
  
• Do not give an herbal product to a child under 6 years of age.
  

Also be aware that herbal products do not have to be tested for safety or effectiveness before they can be sold. Also, herbal labels can claim that a product “maintains” the health of the body or a body system without any scientific proof to back it up. Herbal products do not have to carry warning signs on their labels about interactions with drugs, who should not take them, how long to take them, or the maximum safe dose. Look for products that do, and follow their directions.

Right now no groups are setting or enforcing quality standards for herbal products. Many products contain little or no active ingredient. Look for products that:

• Identifies the part of the plant from which it was made.
  
• Says it has been “standardized” to either an active ingredient or a marker. This is because plant ingredients can vary due to growing conditions, time of harvest, etc.
  
• Lists a specific dose, possible side effects, and reasons not to take it.
  
• Lists the manufacturer's address and/or phone number.
  
• Lists an expiration date.
  
• You can check the web site www.ConsumerLab.com for information on the potency, purity, and consistency of many commercially available products.
  
• Or look for the USP, NF, or ConsumerLab.com “seal” of approval on the product.

Saving Water Makes “Cents”

The average North Carolinian uses between 50 and 75 gallons of water each day. About 75 percent of this water is used indoors. With rising populations putting increasing strain on limited water resources, wasteful water consumption is discouraged. Government agencies are encouraging individuals, communities, industries and municipalities to conserve their limited, precious water resources. This helps to keep costs associated with municipal water supply and waste treatment systems low.

Most homeowners can easily reduce indoor water consumption by 30 percent by changing their water use habits and by installing simple water-conserving devices. Begin by paying attention to your habits on a daily basis. Implement simple changes. This may take a bit of time and energy, but it costs nothing and could result in big savings! Water-conserving devices and appliances are simply low-volume fixtures that accomplish the same function as higher volume, conventional fixtures, only they use less water. There will be a cost associated with installing these newer fixtures.

Small Steps Add Up to Savings

1. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave. You can save about four gallons of water each time you brush.
   
2. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only with full loads.
   
3. Take short showers. Install a low-flow shower head to reduce usage to three gallons per minute.
   
4. Check and, if necessary, repair toilets. Check for leaks by putting some food coloring in the tank. If colored water appears in the bowl without flushing, your toilet leaks. Leaking toilets can waste up to 50 gallons of water a day.
   
5. Repair faucets in your home. If you are interested in installing new fixtures, low-flow toilets can save up to 7,000 gallons per person per year. Displacement devises such as bricks, bottles or bags are very low-cost modifications which prove quite effective in reducing the flush capacity of a water toilet. Each of the devices will displace about one or two quarts of water and will reduce the flush volume accordingly.