Many people believe that herbal products are safe because they are labeled natural and sold legally. However, some herbal supplements can cause health problems. Additionally, herbal products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) like over-the-counter and prescription medications. Products labeled natural don't always mean safe when it comes to herbal supplements. Use of Herbal Supplements According to the National Institute of Health, more than half of Americans take dietary supplements daily or occasionally (NIH, 2013). There are currently over 1,000 companies producing over 29,000 different herbal supplements (Newmaster et al., 2013). These herbal supplements are marketed and taken for a variety of reasons. For example, echinacea is used for colds, flu, and other infections; Ephedra is taken for colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma, wheezing, nasal congestion, weight loss, and increased energy; garlic is used for increased cholesterol, for heart disease, for hypertension and for the prevention of some types of cancer; kava is used against insomnia, to combat fatigue, asthma, urinary tract infections, anxiety, menopausal symptoms and is used topically as a numbing agent; and St. John's wort is taken for depression (USDA National Agricultural Library, 2013). The question remains whether these supplements are safe (not to mention effective). Over-the-counter and prescription drugs are highly regulated in the United States. Many people believe that herbal supplements are regulated the same way. Herbal supplements are regulated by the FDA. However, they fall into a different category than drugs or foods. They are regulated as dietary supplements. Dietary supplement regulations do not require the FDA to give approval to manufacturers before placing these supplements on the market. Additionally, companies can claim that their products address nutritional deficiencies, support health, or are linked to body functions, as long as they have supporting evidence and include a disclaimer stating that the FDA has not evaluated the product. 'statement. Manufacturers are required to follow good manufacturing practices to ensure that supplements do not contain incorrect ingredients and contaminants and to ensure that the correct ingredients are included in the appropriate quantities. The FDA is responsible for the safety of herbal supplements once they are placed on the market. Even with these rules, there are no guarantees that herbal supplements are safe (Mayo Clinic, 2011). Research Reflects Safety Lakhan and Vieira (2010) performed a literature review of twenty-four studies that investigated the use of herbal and dietary supplements..