Variations in Product Choices of Frequently Purchased Herbs

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Abstract
OVER THE PAST 10 years, the use of botanicals and dietary supplements (BDS) by the American public has increased by an estimated 380%.1 These products, including herbs, neutraceuticals,2,3 complementary or alternative medications, phytomedicines or phytopharmaceuticals,4 and traditional medicines, are widely available in health food stores, pharmacies, grocery stores, discount stores, and other retail outlets, as well as on the Internet and through mail-order catalogs. This is a multimillion dollar industry in the United States, as illustrated by sales of over $600 million in 1998 for herbal products alone.5