Thanks to Sheila Humphrey for her post on herbs, and her mention of the
medical botany web site.  I really appreciated her insight that: "legally
herbs are food supplements, but ETHICALLY [my emphasis]  they are drugs."  I
hadn't thought of the issue quite in that way before, and I am grateful for
the new idea.  It really clarified for me exactly why I have been so often
bothered by casual or not fully informed herbal counseling. I know that I
personally don't know as much as I need to about herbs, and I can tell that
a lot of the other people who recommend them aren't as careful as perhaps is
necessary.  I find so many of the herbal references to be so zoomy, and to
make so many unsubstantiated claims as to be suspect.  I truly wish there
was good clinical research into use of herbs as medicine, with good sources
for purity and controlled dosages, and published info on interactions, side
effects, and efficacy.  Until I know more, I intend to exercise restraint
and caution.

Barbara

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BS, IBCLC
Private Practice, Austin, Texas
Owner, Lactnews On-Line Conference Page
http://moontower.com/bwc/lactnews.html