Has herbal medicine been investigated and or approved by any government or regulatory agency?

Answer 1

The government has only moderate regulations for herbal medicine and appears not to become involved in herbal research or to approve or disapprove herbal products. However, the FDA does have the power to remove herbal products that it considers unsafe, but must justify the removal through an administrative hearing. The FDA did attempt to remove herbal products from the open market in 1994, but was unsuccessful because it caused what could have been the most extensive letter-writing campaign to Congress since the Vietnam War. Also, approximately one-fourth of prescription drugs (which are regulated by the government) are derived from plants. Examples are: the widely prescribed heart medicine digoxin is derived from the Foxglove plant and salacin (the source of aspirin) from willow bark. Though the government has few regulations for herbal products, some reliable and reputable companies do their own research and supply accurate information to the public. Many who use herbal products as supplements and to treat medical problems on a regular basis prefer the government not become involved in regulation and to rely on sources outside the government for their information.