Herbal Remedies

Conservative estimates suggest that at least 12 percent of the U.S. population uses herbal medicines, and the number is increasing, yet these products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. This review considers the evidence on the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines, focusing on four – Ginkgo biloba, hawthorn, saw palmetto, and St. John's wort – that have been evaluated in a sufficient number of randomized, controlled trials to permit an assessment.