Herbal Supplements: What to Know Before You Buy

Herbal supplements can vary considerably in their ingredients, format, concentration and intended use. Some contain a single botanical ingredient, while others combine several herbs or include herbs alongside vitamins, minerals or other nutrients. Comparing the complete formula and label information is more useful than choosing a product based on one familiar ingredient or a product name alone.

This guide explains the main features to compare when choosing herbal supplements, including ingredient identity, plant parts, extracts, combination formulas, serving information, product formats, Australian medicine labels and important safety considerations.

What Are Herbal Supplements?

Herbal supplements are products containing ingredients derived from plants or botanical materials. Depending on the product, the ingredient may come from a root, leaf, flower, fruit, seed, bark or another part of the plant.

They are available in many forms, including capsules, tablets, powders, teas, liquid extracts and tonics. You can browse the current range of herbal supplements to see how these formats and formulas differ.

In Australia, many herbal products supplied as therapeutic medicines fall within the broader category of complementary medicines. However, individual products can differ in their regulatory pathway, ingredients, evidence, directions and warnings, so it is important to assess the actual product rather than assuming all herbal supplements are equivalent.

Start With the Ingredient and the Formula

Begin by checking which herbal ingredients are actually present and whether the product is primarily based on one herb or a combination formula.

A product featuring a familiar herb in its name may contain that herb as the main active ingredient, while another product may include the same herb as only one component of a broader formula. These products should not automatically be treated as equivalent.

When comparing formulas, check:

• the full active ingredient list;
• the amount of each ingredient per recommended serving;
• whether the formula contains one herb or several combined ingredients;
• the botanical species where this is stated;
• which part of the plant is used;
• whether the ingredient is supplied as whole herb, powder or extract;
• any standardised constituent information shown on the label; and
• the recommended serving size, directions and warnings.

Compare the Different Herbal Supplement Formats

The best format depends partly on the formula and partly on how you prefer to use the product. One format is not automatically stronger or better than another.

Herbal capsules, tablets and powders cover a broad range of single-herb and combination formulas. Capsules and tablets provide pre-measured servings, while powders may allow a different way to incorporate a product into a daily routine according to its directions.

Herbal tonics and extracts are liquid products that can differ in concentration, serving volume and preparation instructions. Compare the stated amount per serving rather than assuming that a smaller serving or the word “extract” automatically means a stronger product.

Herbal teas provide another botanical format, but ingredients, preparation instructions and intended use can vary significantly between individual products. Always follow the directions for the particular tea rather than applying the same preparation method to every product.

Single-Herb Products vs Combination Formulas

Single-herb products can make it easier to identify how much of a particular botanical ingredient is being supplied. Combination formulas bring several ingredients together and may be designed around a broader product purpose.

Neither approach is automatically preferable. The useful comparison is whether the formula suits what you are looking for and whether the label provides enough information to understand what you are taking.

When comparing a combination product, pay particular attention to ingredient overlap. If you already use other supplements, the same herb or another active ingredient may appear in more than one formula.

Check the Botanical Name and Plant Part

Common herb names are useful for everyday identification, but the botanical name can provide more precise information about the plant species used in a product.

The plant part can also matter. Depending on the herb, products may use the root, leaf, fruit, seed, bark, flower or another plant component. Two products carrying the same general herb name may therefore contain different botanical preparations.

Do not assume that products are directly interchangeable simply because the front labels feature the same common herb name. Compare the complete active ingredient information.

Understand Whole Herbs, Powders and Extracts

Herbal ingredients may be supplied as dried plant material, powders, concentrated preparations or extracts. Labels can use different ways of expressing these ingredients, so comparing only the number of milligrams on the front of the pack can be misleading.

For extracts, look at the complete ingredient declaration and any information about the source herb, extract amount, equivalent amount or standardised constituents where these are stated.

Extraction ratios should also be considered in context. A ratio on its own does not tell you everything about the finished ingredient or make one product automatically preferable to another.

Traditional Use and Scientific Evidence Are Not the Same Thing

Many herbs have a history of use within Western herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic practice or other traditional systems. This history can be relevant when understanding why an ingredient is used, but traditional use and modern scientific evidence are different forms of evidence.

Australian medicine labels may identify when an indication is based on traditional use. Read this wording carefully rather than interpreting traditional use as proof that a product has been clinically demonstrated to produce a particular result.

Evidence can also differ substantially between individual herbs, preparations and intended uses. Research about one extract or preparation should not automatically be applied to every product containing the same plant.

Check the Australian Medicine Identification Number

Medicines included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods display an AUST identification number on the label. You may see:

• AUST L — a listed medicine;
• AUST L(A) — an assessed listed medicine; or
• AUST R — a registered medicine.

These classifications have different regulatory requirements and should not be interpreted as meaning that all products have undergone the same type of pre-market assessment. In particular, an AUST L medicine is not individually assessed by the TGA for efficacy before supply in the same way as an AUST L(A) or AUST R medicine.

The AUST number is useful for identifying a medicine and understanding its regulatory pathway, but it does not by itself tell you which product is most suitable for your needs.

Compare Serving Information Rather Than the Front Label Alone

Front-of-pack numbers can be difficult to compare because manufacturers may describe herbal ingredients in different ways. Use the detailed ingredient panel and directions to establish what is supplied in the recommended serving.

Check:

• how many capsules, tablets, scoops, millilitres or other units make up a serving;
• how often the product is directed to be used;
• the amount of each active ingredient provided in that serving;
• whether an extract equivalent is stated;
• whether any relevant standardised constituent is declared; and
• the warnings and conditions of use.

This gives a more meaningful comparison than selecting whichever product displays the largest number on the front of the package.

Check for Ingredient Overlap

Herbal ingredients are often included in multi-ingredient products. The same botanical may therefore appear in a dedicated herbal supplement, a combination herbal formula and another supplement you already use.

Before combining products, compare all active ingredients and serving directions. This is particularly important when several products are being used for related purposes.

If you take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, or are unsure about combining products, speak with a pharmacist, doctor or other appropriately qualified health professional before use. Herbal ingredients can interact with medicines, and “natural” does not automatically mean free from side effects or interactions.

A Practical Herbal Supplement Buying Checklist

Before choosing a herbal supplement, consider the following:

• What is the main ingredient? Check whether the herb you are interested in is the primary ingredient or one part of a combination.
• Which botanical species and plant part are used? Compare the detailed ingredient information rather than only the common name.
• What form is the ingredient in? Check whether it is whole herb, powder, extract or another preparation.
• What does one recommended serving provide? Compare products using the detailed serving information.
• Is it a single-herb or combination formula? Check for ingredients you may already be taking elsewhere.
• Which format suits you? Consider capsules, tablets, powders, teas, tonics or extracts according to the individual product directions.
• What evidence is the product information based on? Distinguish traditional-use statements from other forms of evidence.
• What does the label say? Check directions, warnings, allergens where relevant and any Australian medicine identification number.
• Could it interact with medicines or other supplements? Seek professional advice when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a herb and a herbal extract?

A whole or powdered herb generally contains processed plant material, while an extract is produced by extracting selected components from the herbal material. Extracts can vary in their preparation and concentration, so compare the complete label rather than assuming that every extract of the same herb is equivalent.

Are higher milligram amounts always better?

No. Milligram amounts may refer to different forms of an ingredient, and herbal extracts can be expressed differently from whole-herb powders. Compare the ingredient form, serving size, extract information and complete label rather than choosing on the largest number alone.

Is a single-herb supplement better than a herbal blend?

Not necessarily. A single-herb formula provides a more focused ingredient profile, while a blend combines several ingredients. The appropriate comparison depends on the actual formula, amounts, directions, warnings and what else you already use.

Does “natural” mean a herbal supplement is safe?

No. Herbal and complementary medicines can cause side effects and may interact with prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines or other supplements. Check the product warnings and seek professional advice when appropriate.

What does AUST L mean on a herbal medicine?

AUST L identifies a listed medicine included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Listed medicines use permitted ingredients and are subject to Australian regulatory requirements, but they are not individually assessed by the TGA for efficacy before supply. AUST L(A) and AUST R products follow different assessment pathways.

Can I take several herbal supplements together?

That depends on the ingredients and your individual circumstances. Check each formula for overlapping herbs and other active ingredients. If you take medicines, have a health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are unsure whether products are appropriate to combine, seek advice from a qualified health professional.

Further Information

• Therapeutic Goods Administration — Understanding Complementary Medicines
• Therapeutic Goods Administration — AUST Numbers on Medicine Labels
• Therapeutic Goods Administration — Herbal Ingredients
• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Herbs at a Glance

Important Information

This guide provides general information to help compare herbal supplement formats, ingredients and labels. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a medical condition and does not replace advice from a qualified health professional.

Herbal and complementary medicines can cause side effects and may interact with prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines and other supplements. If you take medicines, have a medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are preparing for surgery, or are uncertain whether a herbal product is suitable for you, speak with an appropriately qualified health professional before use.

Always follow the directions and warnings on the individual product label. Do not assume that products containing the same herb have the same preparation, concentration, serving size or suitability.

Product formulas, directions and warnings can change. Always check the current product label before purchase and use.