The word “standardized” is a major selling point in the world of herbal marketing. To the well trained herbalist the term “standardized” is an indication of marketing hype and a company that does not understand the proper use of herbs.
Standardization in regards to herbs means that the manufacturer adjusted the product based on the relative amounts of a few chemical constituents of the herbs. This is supposed to ensure a product that contains a minimum of a particular ingredient. This type of quality control is a part of the drug industry where one particular chemical needs to be present in a pill in a specific amount. Proper herbal medicine is not based on a particular chemical, but rather how the flavors and nature of the herbal material affects the functioning of the patient.
In much the same way that the best gourmet meal has subtle variety from plate to plate, properly prepared herbal medicines have slight variation due to the natural products used in the production. Standardization of herbs is like fast food, it is consistent, but it is not better because of that consistency. The best herbal manufacturers mix and cook herbs based on traditional recipes and then test for contaminants, but do not chemically adjust the product. To make those adjustments would be to create pharmaceutical-like pill with a chemical and filler, rather than a true herbal medicinal.
Consumers should be looking for better all natural, well prepared and properly prescribed herbal medicine. Standardization works as an appropriate marketing tool in the drug industry, it should be viewed with suspicion when it comes to natural medicines.
For more information about the proper use of herbal medicine click on these links; Herbal history, Herbal safety,
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