DNA testing done by Canadian researchers has shown that herbal supplements such as pills, powders, and teas are not often what they claim to be.

These natural cures claim to helps treat anything from the common cold to boosting one’s metabolism however, most of these assertions are unproven.

“I don’t take the [herbal supplement] pills so they don’t really affect me, but for the people who do, they would feel a bit deceived,” said sophomore Daniel Kim.

More often than not, people use these supplements without knowing the ingredients. Most of these pills are simply placebos made of cheap filler ingredients such as rice, wheat, nuts, and soybeans.

“I’ve read articles [saying] that they are dangerous and unproven. I have also heard that they are filled with rice powder and stuff like that,” said senior Charlotte Linza.

A common pill that most Americans use to treat colds is called echinacea. “I feel like my body processes herbal supplements better than ibuprofen,” said Social Science teacher Kira Hoilman. Hoilman does not use herbal supplements on daily basis. The supplement contains ground biter weed called Parthenium hysterophorus. It has been linked to rashes, nausea, and flatulence with no proof that the supplement actually helps with cold symptoms.

Most of the companies who produce these herbal supplements are not regulated by the Federal Drug Administration. Because of the lack of regulation, there are many quality control issues that range from false labeling to contamination.Companies are able to pass through loopholes because herbal supplements, unlike prescription drugs, do not usually cause life threatening side effects. There have not been a significant number of herbal supplement recalls to cause concern neither.

One in particular is a study done by a private Canadian company found that one product advertised as black cohosh, a North American plant and popular remedy for hot flashes, actually contained a related Asian plant, Actaea asiatica, that can be toxic to humans. This can be lethal if consumed in improperly. Most consumers are unaware of the hidden risks associated with these supplements.

Nonetheless people still feel that these miracle pills work and continue to buy them.

“I drink the teas because they make me sleepy,” said freshman Josh Vicencio.  Zaria Robinson uses pills that boosts her metabolism and makes her feel more energized.

“It makes me sad, but then there is the placebo effect and hopefully it will keep working on me,” said Robinson. Even with all of the information that Robinson has been exposed to she says the she will continue to use the pills.

“I believe after a period of time, if a manufacturer wants to sell their drugs over the counter, they should seek FDA approval, or at the very least be transparent about what is in the bottle.,” said Hoilman, “I am willing to give [herbal supplement companies] a grace period of time if they are willing to sell them and claim they are safe enough because the FDA is probably overwhelmed with approval of different drugs and supple etc. But after a grace period I believe it should come off the shelf or the manufacturer should be more transparent.”

With the recent advancements in DNA barcoding the health supplement industries lack of transparency had been exposed. The industry should be given a period of time to change the way they label their product however, if they refuse to change more action should be taken by the FDA to better evaluate these products.