Take garlic for example. Garlic is a member of the onion relatives and no cook should be without it. Some people refer to garlic as the "natural antibiotic". These are the same people however, that take a handful of processed garlic pills when they feel a cold or some perceived or real infection coming on instead of seeing their doctor.

What else can garlic treat?

Now I do not see my doctor for every cold. But if I think I demand an antibiotic I'm going for the real McCoy. Besides, garlic has blood thinning capabilities and we get enough of the good stuff by cooking with it. Yet I know people who pop those garlic pills to ward off anything they think they are coming down with without any regard to the possible interaction of these garlic pills with another herbal based vitamin supplement and/or their prescription medicine.

Another thing to consider regarding garlic: Even if you are not taking blood thinning medication, you don't want to have consumed a lot of garlic before you have surgery because you lack your blood to clot. That doesn't mean you can't have your favorite spaghetti sauce before having surgery, but it could be harmful to take a lot of garlic supplements before surgery.

What you need to understand of herbal based supplement?

If you believe you need a herbal vitamin supplement daily you should check with your physician before consuming large amounts of any supplement as some of these can have toxic effects. Manufactures of such supplements, unlike manufacturers of drugs, do not have to prove that their products are safe before they are put on the market. The FDA regulates these dietary supplements as food and not as drugs and so after a product like this causes a problem or is unsafe then the FDA can take action.

Who is watching those pills?

The FDA is watching though. In December 2005, they sent out warning letters to nine companies that were promoting their dietary supplements could prevent, treat or cure bird flu. When the label reads like that, then the FDA has to look at it like a drug and not food. That is why on all or nearly all supplements labels you'll see the disclaimer that says something like, "These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and we're not saying they will cure you." That's a rough paraphrase but you get the idea.

In the end, we are the ones responsible for what we put into our bodies. Check with your doctor before you believe any outrageous supplement and herbs claims.

Besides knowing what are important information of consuming herbal based supplements, however alongside with this little information may not be enough for you to choose your supplements more carefully and to consume moderately.

Many people sometimes tend to forget the quanlity of popping these pills, without realizing the harmful effects of over-consumption of these herbal based supplements, level while various kinds of supplements can handle chronic diseases.

Therefore, without a proper understanding of using vitamin supplement and herbs to treat many chronic diseases, there will not be much disease free lifestyle to craving for.

Applying these effective tips as being highlighted here, together with an thorough understanding of supplements is important so that you enjoy your life once again.

Eddy K Elgin is the author of the 17 Minutes Vitamin Supplements Tips and Resource. Drop by at vitamin supplement and herbs stuff for more details.