The pharmaceutical industry certainly has its ethical lapses, and I don't believe that they should, for example, be able to advertise. But it is funny how you can make people think you are an angel by just slapping "natural," "organic," or "herbal" on the label. I read about a study recently that analyzed vitamins and herbal supplements, showing that many are very misleading about what is actually in the pills. I'll try to find the link...

For the uneducated amongst us (which included me before this post started, regretfully), the FDA has a basic primer available, using enough big words to sound medically correct. And on the plus side, it uses enough plain language to be understood by the average high school graduate.

Also, there's a page by the North American Spine Society that has some of the possible side effects that some herb-medication combinations can cause. (And I didn't know this one existed either.)

Thanks, Eric. You made me think before taking my usual insomnia cure: two glases of chamomile tea and a jog around the block.

Your chamomile tea is probably fine unless you're going in for surgery. But if you're not sure, ask your doctor. Certainly anyone who is taking any prescription medications should check for interactions from any herbs they're ingesting.

Dear lord, don't get me started on Trudeau's book. We sell a ton at the book store I work at and I cringe every time a customer asks for one. I want to say "Look, the guy's a fraud and you're a moron." But the quest for more sales always wins out so I dutifully show the customer to the front of the store where "Natural Cures" sits next to "The Historian" a much, much more worthy book, if you're looking for a good, suspenseful read.