Does this product live up to its claims? Is it safe? And is it worth a try?

It’s not surprising that people have questions about natural health products (or NHPs for short). There are many misconceptions out there, some which could put your safety at risk and some which may have you dismissing potentially-helpful remedies altogether. Information can be conflicting or hard to find, so we’ve explored some of the common misconceptions surrounding the products.

Myth #1: Most people don’t use them.

You might be surprised to learn that natural health products are actually quite common. According to a 2005 Health Canada survey, 71 per cent of Canadians over the age of 18 use natural health products. Sales of natural health products continue to climb, and are even expected to reach $2.75 billion by 2010.

Bear in mind that “natural health product” is a fairly broad term that encompasses vitamins and minerals, herbal products, homeopathic medicines, traditional medicines (like traditional Chinese medicines), probiotics, and other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids.

In short, if you take vitamin C for a cold you’re a consumer of natural health products. Not surprisingly, the stigma attached to taking a “natural remedy” is slowly disappearing as people seek gentler and safer alternatives to traditional medications.

Myth #2: It’s natural, therefore it’s safe.

More than half of Canadians make this assumption. However, just because an ingredient comes from a natural source, doesn’t mean it’s safe for everyone to consume. (Technically, poison ivy and snake venom are natural too). People are at risk for allergic reactions and other problems, just as they are for any medication.

NHPs are marketed as supplements or food products for legal reasons, but they often contain medicinal ingredients which can lead to side effects. For example, common products like Echinacea, ginkgo, and St. John’s wort don’t “agree” with everyone — they’ve been found to cause adverse reactions like dizziness, pain, vertigo and high blood pressure in some individuals. (For more information, see Healthy solution or gamble?)

Some NHPs can also contraindicate with medications you’re taking. For instance, drinking green tea or taking green tea extract can backfire on cancer patients because the beverage was recently found to block the effects of a common cancer drug. Other products can react with certain medications — but manufacturers aren’t required to put warning information on the labels.

Worse yet, some imported products are tainted with dangerous chemicals. It can be difficult for retailers and consumers to stay on top of the recalls.

The bottom line: You should to ask questions and do some research first. Look up the main ingredients online, and talk to your doctor and pharmacist. Pregnant women and others at risk need to be especially careful.