Herbal Remedies FAQ -- Classification of Herbal Remedies

Are herbal remedies considered "drugs"?

Under the Food and Drug Administration's Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, federal regulations distinguish between herbs and drugs. Drugs are intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Most herbs are considered "dietary supplements," a category that includes vitamins and minerals. While these categories have some overlap, herbs, by law, are not usually treated as drugs.

Some herbs are effective because of the simultaneous action of a number of ingredients. This characteristic distinguishes herbs from drugs, which have a single active substance. Herbal remedies often contain chemicals with biological actions, and some of these chemicals have become drugs. One example is the prescription heart drug, digitalis, discovered in the herb foxglove.