Understanding Herbs and Dietary Supplements with Chula Pharmacists

    We've frequently discussed herbal products and dietary supplements because they are familiar to many of us, yet misunderstandings are common. Today, let’s dive deeper into these topics to improve our understanding and promote safe use.

    In Thailand, herbal products are primarily classified into two types:

    Herbal Medicines – These are used to treat, cure, relieve illness, or prevent disease, following academic principles or alternative medical knowledge.

    Herbal Health Products – These contain key herbal ingredients to support health, enhance body function, or reduce disease risk factors. They are not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

    Similarly, dietary supplements are consumed in addition to regular meals. They may include nutrients like vitamins, minerals, proteins, amino acids, herbs, extracts, or synthetic substances. It’s essential to recognize that dietary supplements are not designed to cure or prevent diseases.

    Caution for Certain Groups

    Generally, herbal health products and dietary supplements should be avoided by children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, as safety information may be limited.

    Beware of Adulterated Products

    Unfortunately, products often make headlines for being adulterated with prohibited substances or synthetic drugs, which can harm health or even lead to death. Popular items like weight control products are especially prone to adulteration. If a product claims to drastically reduce appetite or weight, it’s likely laced with prohibited substances or synthetic drugs, usually affecting the nervous or cardiovascular systems. Cases of death due to such products are not uncommon, linked to irresponsible businesses.

    Another hazardous category includes herbal products secretly mixed with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While these may provide temporary pain relief, these additives pose serious risks to the digestive tract, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels, particularly for elderly users. Stomach bleeding, sometimes fatal, is a common complication.

    Similarly, products claiming to boost sexual performance often contain hidden erectile dysfunction drugs. While such products might produce effects, the quality of these added substances is unregulated, possibly containing toxic contaminants or unsafe dosages, which can be especially dangerous for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

    For those seeking genuine support with sexual health, consulting a doctor is a safer option. There are effective, regulated medications that can be prescribed appropriately.

    Staying Informed and Safe

    Many illegal products are aggressively advertised online and even in mainstream media. Consumers need to be informed and cautious. Only purchase FDA-approved products, and you can verify this by checking the product number on the FDA’s website. Additionally, be alert to side effects or results beyond the product’s stated purpose; otherwise, you could be unknowingly putting yourself at risk.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattada Areepiam and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bodin Tiwasuwan

Faculty of Pharmacy Chulalongkorn University