BEWARE: adulteration, substitution, zero quality control of herbal medicines and supplements is massive
It’s just SO tempting to click sometimes..
The world is getting busier and more complicated every day. The cult of “looking your best” is getting stronger and stronger.
Just about everywhere there are ads promising to “fix your health problem” or “reduce your wrinkles” or “increase your strength” or “balance your hormones”.
When we’re at our best, we all know in our heart of hearts that “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” – but in the moment, that addictively styled and messaged “button of promise” can get past our defenses.
Before you click through….
Here are some questions to help you take control of the urge to click, the next time you get tempted towards a “super-pill” that could threaten your health as well as your credit card balance
1. Is it powerful – and will you talk to a human practitioner?
Are you being promised a prescription medication – yet you’re not actually going to talk to a medical practitioner in detail? If it’s dangerous enough for a prescription, it’s dangerous enough to need a detailed consultation – to protect you from all sorts of risks. Side effects, interactions with other medicines and supplements, your personal health profile – all these things matter.
A prescription without a meaningful individual consultation is a BIG warning sign. Why?
As an example, a recent ABC TV 4 Corners investigation revealed that huge doses of medical cannabis were prescribed by an online supplier. The result was extremely harmful for the person receiving this powerful medicine. Proper care and oversight needs to be given and received for the safety of all of us.
This recommendation also applies to ‘prescribed supplements” and in fact ALL supplements. ALL supplements need to be assessed by a qualified health practitioner who has the training to understand the nuances in supplements.
Someone who knows and understands:
- where they come from,
- who manufactured them
- possible substitution of products or lesser quality
- the correct medicinal part of the plant used
- toxic elements potentially added
- correct dosage for you
- interactions with other supplements and medications you are taking.
As highly qualified Naturopaths, this is how we are trained. We are also trained to think critically about these topics. Find a Naturopath with plenty of experience and expertise and even then ask lots of questions and think critically yourself : ) YOU are the ultimate boss of your body.
2. Look at the labels to see ALL the listed ingredients
Even common, over-the-counter vitamin supplements may have a heap of “extras”. For example, Vitamin B6 is a common addition to everything from multi-vitamins to magnesium BUT can easily accumulate in quantities now being linked with irreversible circulation problems in feet and hands.
Known as Peripheral Neuropathy, this disabling condition can show up as fatigue, numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, brain fog, poor kidney function and many other symptoms. A well versed Naturopath will help guide you on the value of the appropriate dose and use of Vitamin B6. (And can also help you understand that Peripheral Neuropathy has many causes.)
You may purchase a magnesium product to help your leg cramps, but do you know the best type for you? What other ingredients are in the product in the small print? They may be useful or not. Getting guidance helps you spend your money more wisely and look after yourself more carefully.
3. Cross check ALL ingredients with your existing regime
We live in a world where something as simple as a banana may interfere with common blood pressure medications. What’s actually in that “miracle super-pill” could be a long list – and some could be interact badly with your existing regime.
Herbal medicines and nutritional supplements can work powerfully. So this can lead to good or bad interactions with other medicines you consume. High dose (more than 10gms Fish oils) may increase the effect of your blood thinning medications. Less than this may still be beneficial for you and not adversely affect the efficacy of your meds.
It’s all about appropriate dose, quality and research. Your well versed Naturopath will help you sort this out.
4. Make sure you know where and how the product was made
Where was it made? What were the quality controls? What’s the supposed dosage and how will you know whether it’s correct? What precautions have been taken against contamination?
Injectable and oral peptides are in the news currently. People are using these for all sorts of body enhancements. Investigation into the actual ingredients has shown some pretty scary results – some products have different dosage to what is labelled, other potentially toxic ingredients are added.
Counterfeit peptides with excessive active ingredients are being reported: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-28/black-market-peptides-dangerous-doses/107059092
Herbal medicines are particularly prone to being either contaminated or adulterated with cheaper ingredients to compete on the world market. A 2026 scope review of “tumeric” supplements showed 20 different commercial products containing adulterants. These range from plants that have yellow colouring to unrelated ground flours to enhance the volume.
5. Educate yourself and your medical practitioner
Do a quick online PubMed check to assess clinical published studies of your supplement or medication. This stands for Public Medicine database, where you’ll find a lot of approved studies. It’s just one source of knowledge which can help you sort out what may benefit you.
This information may help you understand the rationale for using a certain medication/supplement/drug/intervention. Also you get to read about beneficial and unwanted side effects of this intervention on a larger group scale. Then you can be alert to anything ‘going wrong’ before the intervention/drug damages you further.
Having some knowledge helps you prepare some questions for your health practitioner at your next Consultation.
6. Be critical and aware
The Internet is a wild, WILD, WILD west of people out to make money from the tired, stressed, depressed and self-conscious.
It IS true that we know more about health than ever before.
It IS true that Western mainstream medicine doesn’t have all the answers.
It IS true that overworked mainstream medical practitioners can’t keep up with the full range of research on new treatments and ancient remedies.
BUT – if a product is offering you relief from “what ails you” – from insomnia to excess weight
1) At the click of a button; and
2) WITHOUT individual, expertise-based, detailed consultation; and
3) WITHOUT evidence-based quality protection
then BEWARE.
Contact your local friendly Naturopath for a Consultation to see what’s what – and find out what’s best for you.