Homeopathyherbal medicines vs supplement
How can you recognize quality in herbal medicines?
Advice from your pharmacy about herbal medicine.
Herbal medicines are a popular choice for patients—for example, for colds, gastrointestinal complaints, restless sleep, or menopause. “Natural” initially sounds like ‘gentle’ and “safe.”
Nevertheless, there are significant differences in quality even among herbal products. The following points will help you quickly recognize whether a preparation is truly high quality.
1) First, check: Is it a medicine or a dietary supplement?
This is the most important difference. Herbal medicines are strictly tested: they must prove their quality, efficacy, and safety. Dietary supplements may advertise plant substances, but they are not tested according to the same rules as medicines.
Practical tip: Medicines usually clearly state “medicine” on the packaging—you will often also find an approval or registration number.
2) It is not “the plant” that is decisive, but the extract
High-quality herbal medicines specify exactly which plant extract they contain. This is important because the same plant can contain very different amounts of active ingredients depending on how it is grown, when it is harvested, and how it is processed.
You can recognize quality by the fact that the extract is standardized or precisely defined. This means that the manufacturer ensures that each batch has a comparable composition—and is not sometimes stronger and sometimes weaker.
3) Good manufacturers provide clear information
Reputable products are transparent and provide details, for example:
- Plant name (often also in Latin, e.g., Hypericum perforatum for St. John's wort)
- Drug-extract ratio (how concentrated the extract is)
- Extraction agent (e.g., ethanol/water)
This may sound a little technical, but it is a good sign. It shows that the contents have been manufactured in a controlled manner and are not just “something made from herbs.”
4) Package insert: Yes, please!
Many people prefer products without long package inserts. From a pharmacy's point of view, it's exactly the opposite: a detailed package insert is a sign of reliability. There you will find:
- Dosage (how much, how often, for how long)
- Areas of application
- Possible side effects
- Interactions (especially important!)
Herbal remedies in particular can have interactions – a well-known example is St. John's wort.
5) Clean raw materials and controlled production
High-quality herbal medicines are tested for contaminants, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or germs. In addition, strict manufacturing standards (e.g., GMP) apply. This is particularly relevant if you want to take a preparation over a longer period of time.
6) Be wary of “miracle promises”
Phrases such as “guaranteed to help,” “works immediately against everything,” or “detox” sound good—but are often more marketing than genuine guidance. Reputable products remain factual and realistic. If something sounds too good to be true, it's worth taking a second look—or having a quick chat at the pharmacy.
"If you are unsure, ask specific questions: Is it an approved herbal medicine? Is the extract standardized? Is it compatible with other medications you are taking?."
For your health: herbal medicine or supplement?
Want to be on the safe side about herbal medicine?
Then rely on tested quality. Herbal medicines are manufactured under controlled conditions and clearly dosed – that makes all the difference.
Feel free to visit the pharmacy: together we will find out what is suitable for your symptoms and what you should look out for when making your selection.
