Herbal supplements are products that contain herbs or other plant materials and are taken as an addition to a person's normal diet. People usually take herbal supplements to try to achieve some sort of health goal, such as losing weight, building muscle, or improving memory. Dietary supplements may come in pills, tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and extracts. Herbal supplements are part of a larger category of products called dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are used for the same reasons as herbal supplements but may contain different materials. These materials could include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or enzymes.

Ginseng is one of the most revered and well-known of the plants used in Chinese herbal medicines. It is believed to bolster the immune system and increase energy.

Herbal supplements are becoming more popular around the world but particularly in the United States. The number of Americans using herbal supplements...