Question: Is It True That Herbs May Not Be As Potent As Their Labels Claim?
Answer: As with anything else, many manufacturers are motivated by profit. A claim of 0.3% hypericin is no guarantee that you will actually get this amount. The Los Angeles Times commissioned a private laboratory to analyze several of the most popular brands of St. John's Wort in the US. The results were shocking. Three out of ten had less than 50% potency. Four had less than 90%. Sundown Herbals, a leading supplier of herbals in the US, had an abysmal 20% of the labeled potency. Why does this occur? Herbals aren't considered medications, and are not regulated as such.
Actually before I even read this article I found out the hard way that it is true. I had been taking a brand called Nature's Fingerprint (now called Herbal Plus Fingerprinted) from GNC with good success. I decided, however, that I would try out one of the less expensive alternatives. Big mistake! Within a few weeks I was very depressed. I went back to my regular brand and soon recovered. Although I'm sure there are other good brands out there, you won't catch me trying them. Not until they are more strictly regulated and I can be assured of their quality.
