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Can Herbal Teas Help You Relax...Safely?

Did you know that the herb hops, a preservative found in beer, helps create a tranquilizing tea (that's not intoxicating)? And did you know that valerian, another herb, has been helping people get to sleep for over 1,000 years? While herbal supplements have been available at health food stores for quite some time, recently they have gained a new popularity on supermarket shelves in the form of tea. Before you reach for that cup of valerian, however, take a moment. While you may think the valerian drink is harmless (it's just tea, right?), this particular herb is easily addictive, especially if used on a daily basis. Other herbs should not be used with specific medications, and some should never be ingested.

Because of potentially harmful side effects, controversy surrounds herbal therapy in many countries. The U.S. government passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994 to help clarify some of the confusion regarding herbal supplements. This act classified herbs as "dietary supplements" and not drugs. While this means that manufacturers of herbs cannot claim their product will cure or treat diseases, it also means that herbs put on the market, even in teas, are not subject to the same amount of scrutiny as prescription or over the counter drugs.

Does this mean that contemplating a cup of herbal tea should conjure up more tension than it helps dissipate? Not necessarily. The FDA says that most major manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements are responsible and safe. However, regardless of how reputable any company is, all consumers should educate themselves about dietary supplements such as herbal drinks. Before you go to your local supermarket and pick up a box of chamomile, kava kava, or valerian tea (herbal teas known for their relaxing qualities) consider the following guidelines:

• Are you on a prescription drug? Like alcohol and certain medications, herbal teas and prescription drugs can clash. However, research on mixing the two is incomplete at this point. St. John's Wort, for example, is an herb used to treat mild depression. Unfortunately, this popular herb has been found to have extremely adverse reactions with anti-depressants and antiretrovirol drugs. A study by the National Institutes of Health showed that St. John's Wort should not be mixed with prescription drugs that treat heart disease, seizures, or certain cancers. In fact, this recent study even recommends that the herb not be taken with birth control pills, a warning you won't find on the label of most tea distributors' packages.
• Have you done your research? There are plenty of ways to find out more about the herbs that you are interested in. Check out http://www.herbalgram.org, the official site of The American Botanical Council (ABC). This nonprofit organization seeks to inform the public about the safe and effective uses of medicinal plants. Their site has an extensive list of herbs, and their benefits and drawbacks. You can also check out the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition , and personally search for any reports on products or teas that you are curious about .
• Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, under 18, elderly, or chronically ill? If so, it is of the utmost importance that you check with a medical doctor or health professional before taking herbal supplements or drinking any type of herbal tea.
• Remember that natural does not equal harmless. "Think of poisonous mushrooms," recommends Elizabeth Yetley, Ph.D., director of FDA's Office of Special Nutritionals. "They're natural."
• Always be cautious. Because many countries, including the U.S., have less than-rigorous standards regarding dietary supplements such as herbal teas, consumers will always run certain risks. Therefore...
• Don't be shy about writing to the manufacturer for more information. Your package of herbal tea should contain important information: the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor. Many manufacturers (especially good ones) want their consumers to know as much about their product as possible. Celestial Seasonings encourages its patrons to write with queries or comments about its organic herbal teas.

Remember, most herbal teas are naturally decaffeinated and sugar free. If you're a newcomer to the herbal tea scene, simply fix yourself an ice-cold cup of mint tea (made from some fresh peppermint) instead of a soda. Herbal teas can be safe and delicious -- just make sure to be smart, so you don't have to stress out about de-stressing!