Do your herbal remedy bottles come without labels? I hope not! The information on the bottles is vital. When I began using herbs, I wished I would have had someone to teach me about the labels on the herbal preparation bottles. I needed to have someone guide me. What did everything on the label mean? I didn’t want to purchase things or use things for myself or my family without a good understanding of what I was doing. I am writing this guide to help you understand herb labels and help you figure out what they mean, so that you can have confidence to purchase herbs that are safe and high quality for your family.

Types of Herbal Preparations

Herbal supplements come in many different forms, including teas, decoctions, tinctures, glycerites, dry extracts, standardized extracts, and essential oils. Here is a quick overview of each:

• Hot water extracts: These are herbal teas or decoctions where the herb is extracted using boiling water.
• Tinctures: Alcohol-based liquid extracts that are taken orally.
• Glycerites: Alcohol-free tinctures that are made using food grade glycerin as a solvent and taken orally.
• Liquid extracts: Non-alcoholic liquid extract that is often consumed directly or can be added to drinks.
• Dry extracts: Powdered form of an herb that is put into capsules or added to food or drink.
• Standardized extracts: Herbal extracts that are standardized to contain a specific amount of active compounds.
• Essential oils: Concentrated liquid form of an herb’s volatile oils.

The Main Information on the Label

• The common name of the herb is the name most often used to refer to the plant and it varies depending on a person’s location or culture.
• The botanical name of the herb is the scientific name that is used to identify the plant. It helps people know the properties, potential uses, and confirms that you are getting the correct plant species of the herb rather than an imposter the looks similar.
• The extraction method is the process used to extract the plant’s active ingredients.
• The part of the plant used is important because different parts of the plant can have different properties and be used for different things. Examples of these are flowers, stems, bark, or roots.
• Standardization is a process that ensures that the product has a certain amount of active ingredients and is of good quality.
• Dosage recommendations are recommendations for how much of a product to use to get the desired effect and avoid any adverse effects.

NOTE: Most preparation dosages are based on a 150 pound person, and need to be adjusted for a person’s weight, and reduced for children and the elderly. Many herbs have contraindications for pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with various health conditions, and interactions with other medication. Please consult a health care professional or a knowledgeable herbalist before trying any herb.

Sample Herb Label: Ginger

I’m going to give you an example of how to read a label. I will be looking at Herb Pharm Ginger. It is a System Restoration herb for the gastrointestinal system. It promotes circulatory warming and potentially helps alleviate occasional nausea. (The label has a disclaimer that says: “This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”)

• Common name of the herb- Ginger
• Botanical name- Zingiber Officinale.
• Extraction method: Ginger Liquid Extract.
• The part of the plant used- Ginger rhizome
• Standardization- this product is not standardized.
• Dosage recommendations- Serving Size is 0.7 ml; Suggested use: Shake well before using. Adults would add one squeeze of the dropper bulb to 2 ounces of water or juice, Two to five times per day. The product is best taken between meals.

The label tells us that this product is USDA organic. Other ingredients in it include certified organic cane alcohol (76 to 86%) and distilled water. This product is Gluten-free. The extraction rate is 140 mg herb per 0.7 ml. Dry herb/menstrual ratio is 1:5. It also tells us that Herb Pharm prepares their Ginger extract from the rhizome of certified organically grown Zingiber Officinale parts. The label also says, “Keep out of reach of children” and “Store away from heat and light”.

Action Step

Become aware of the types of herbal preparations you can find, read the main information on the label, and consult a knowledgeable health care professional or herbalist to find out if the product is safe for you to consume.

May God bless you on your wellness journey!

Joni

P.S. What experience do you have with reading herbal preparation labels?