Gatorade Sports Science Exchange #96: Herbs and Athletes

KEY POINTS * Herbs are non-woody plants or plant parts claimed to have medicinal, therapeutic, or performanceenhancing values. Herbs can be sold as fresh or dried products, liquid or solid extracts, tablets, capsules, powders, in drinks, in energy bars, or in tea bags. * In the United States, herbs are not required to be standardized, so there is little consistency among different batches of products from different manufacturers. However, herbs are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as dietary supplements as part of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) that became law in 1994. * Herbs have a long history of use, especially in China. However, in most cases, double-blind, placebo-controlled human research on herb use by athletes is limited or non-existent, making it difficult to assess the value of herbs for improving athletic performance. * Concerns over safety, side effects, and potential drug/herb interactions make it essential for athletes to discuss the use of herbal products with their health-care team. * Accessing reputable information about herbs and performance is difficult but critical when educating athletes about potential benefits and adverse side effects of herbs.