OFFICIAL NAMES: Botanicals, nutraceuticals, phytopharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, natural supplements

STREET NAMES: Ginseng (Panax ginseng), echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), garlic (Allium sativum), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), St. John's wort(Hypericum perforatum). St. John's wort is also known as hardhay, amber, goatweed, Klamath weed, and Tipton weed. Garlic supplements are Garlix, Gar-Pure, and Cardiomax.

DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS: Not scheduled, dietary supplements

Overview

Herbal drugs are made from the roots, stems, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, or flowers of various plants known or believed to have medicinal properties. Many conventional drugs are also derived from plants. In fact, the word "drug" comes from the French word drogue, meaning "dried herb."

Herbal and conventional drugs differ significantly, however. When a conventional drug is derived from a plant, this drug is a purified form of the specific substance in the plant that is proven to have a beneficial medical...