Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplement containing one or more herbs. They are:

• Sometimes called botanicals
• Made from plants, algae, fungi, or a combination of these
• Sold as teas, extracts, tablets, capsules, powders, or in other forms.

In a 2012 National Institutes of Health (NIH) survey, 89 percent of American adults who took dietary supplements other than vitamins and minerals gave wellness-related reasons for using them:

• 83 percent - for general wellness or disease prevention
• 42 percent - for improve immune function
• 31 percent - for improve energy
• 27 percent - for increased focuses on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit
• 22 percent - for improve memory or concentration

If you think an herbal supplement is right for you, remember to talk to your trusted health care provider about your particular situation.