Abstract
Background: The use of herbal products in children is a concern because little information is available concerning the benefits and risks of these products in the pediatric population. Objective: This article defines herbal products and reviews the reasons for using such products, the most commonly used herbal products in the United States, their use during pregnancy and breast-feeding, and the adverse effects, drug interactions, and regulatory issues associated with herbal products. Methods: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and references from journal articles. Results: Many of the herbal products that are being given to children in the United States currently do not meet the standards of good manufacturing practices. No high-quality studies have been conducted to determine the efficacy of these products. Their concentrations of active ingredients are unpredictable, their labeling is inadequate, and they can cause toxicity. Conclusions: The benefit-risk ratio of most herbal products remains unknown. Greater efforts and resources should be devoted to high-quality research to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of these widely used herbal products.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
