An Assessment of Herbal Weight Loss Products

Although herbal medication use has exploded over the last several years, the amount of information regarding efficacy and safety has not been as generous. There are numerous herbal weight loss products available over-the-counter that claim to“increase energy,”“decrease water retention,”“curb sugar cravings,”“suppress hunger,” and“build muscles.” However, verified and validated studies to confirm these weight loss claims are lacking in the scientific arena. Issues of safety and efficacy are discussed as well as guidelines for patients taking herbal products and suggestions for interventions that pharmacists can provide to consumers.