Herbal supplements: how to read the label

Three things tell you what a herbal tablet actually is. The species: "ginseng" can be Panax, Siberian or American, and they are different plants; ours says Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. The extract ratio and extract weight: 100mg of a 10:1 extract is 1,000mg of herb equivalent. A big equivalent figure with no ratio beside it tells you nothing. The standardised compound, where there is one: 95% curcuminoids, 80% silymarin. Every page in this collection gives all three, and none of them makes a health claim, because no herb here has one.

Extract ratios at a glance

Figures are from each product's specification; the product page is the reference where they differ.

What is in this collection

Tablets, capsules or powder?

Frequently asked questions

Are these herbal tablets medicines?
No. Everything in this collection is a food supplement. None is a licensed medicine or a Traditional Herbal Registration, and none is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

What does the extract ratio mean?
A 20:1 extract means 20 parts of dried herb were concentrated into 1 part of extract, so 150mg of a 20:1 extract is equivalent to 3,000mg of the raw herb. When you compare products, compare the extract weight and the ratio, not just the biggest number on the front.

Do any herbal supplements have authorised health claims?
Not the herbs themselves. Turmeric, berberine, ashwagandha, milk thistle, saw palmetto, echinacea, St John's Wort, valerian, ginseng, lion's mane, moringa, dandelion, chlorella and matcha have no authorised claims in Great Britain, so we make none. Where a product also contains a vitamin or mineral, that nutrient's claims apply and are stated on its page.

Can I take herbal supplements with medication?
Several of these herbs interact with prescription medicines: St John's Wort, berberine, cranberry, valerian, ginseng and turmeric among them. The interaction box above lists the main ones. If you take any regular medication, ask a pharmacist before starting a herbal supplement.

Why do some products say 'equivalent'?
Because the tablet contains a concentrated extract, not the raw herb. Berberine 100mg of a 10:1 extract is labelled as 1,000mg equivalent. The extract weight is the legal declaration; the equivalent tells you the strength.

Are they vegan?
Our capsules use HPMC shells and our tablets use plant-based binders. Bee pollen is an animal product. Each product page states its own status.

How long can I take a herbal supplement for?
It varies by herb. Echinacea is generally used for short periods, St John's Wort needs a medication check first, and valerian is not for daytime use. The product pages give the guidance for each one.

Do you supply herbal tablets wholesale?
Yes. Most tablet lines run to 25,000 units and capsules are supplied loose by the thousand, from UK-held stock, with the extract specification available to trade buyers. Use the contact page for a trade price.

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Food supplements, not medicines. Not licensed medicines or Traditional Herbal Registrations. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No authorised health claims exist for the herbs in this collection and none are made; where a product contains a vitamin or mineral, that nutrient's authorised claim is stated on its page. Several herbs interact with prescription medicines: read the warnings above and on each product page, and consult a pharmacist or GP before use if you take any medication or have a medical condition. Not for under 18s, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding without advice. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Charge Products is a trading name of Big Idea Services Ltd, Company No. 11645389, Unit 1, 8 Towerfield Road, Towerfield Industrial Estate, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS3 9QE.