"They have and cannot have any treatment purpose": natural plant-based products, such as herbal teas and food supplements, were rejected without ifs and buts by the Single Commission for Dietetics and Nutrition of the Ministry of Health, which published a document containing guidelines on their use "by the most vulnerable groups of the population such as children and pregnant or breastfeeding women".
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“They don't have and can't atrue no purpose of care": I natural plant-based products, such as herbal teas and food supplements, have been rejected with no ifs and buts from Single Commission for Dietetics and Nutrition of the Ministry of Health, that has published a document containing guidelines on their use "by the most vulnerable groups of the population such as children and pregnant or breastfeeding women".
These products, which "are enjoying growing interest in the public, with consumption that significantly involves children in infancy and pregnant or breastfeeding women", explains the Ministry, can "physiologically favor the functions of the organism. in order to optimize the normal course ", but not cure. The functions "altered in a pathological sense", warns the dicastery, always require the control and intervention of the doctor "With the prescription, if necessary, of the most suitable therapeutic aids in the specific case for the recovery of normal conditions".
When they choose "natural" products and pesticidesin short, one must not rely on the fact that the natural derivation is in itself one security guarantee and you must carefully read what is indicated on the label, where specific warnings may also be given in the presence of particular plant extracts. Plus the consumption of a plant-derived product, as a complement to the diet, especially if concomitant with the intake of drugs, "can trigger a series of metabolic reactions in the body" that can lead to unexpected and unwanted effects, especially in the most vulnerable groups, such as pediatric and pregnant women or lactating.
in these "at risk" categories the use of plant derivatives and supplements "should not take place without consulting the pediatrician or physician to assess whether or not the indications for use occur on an individual level within adequate safety margins that can offer plausible benefits". Even with the food supplements intended for early childhood, again according to the Ministry, we must be careful and companies should report on the label the warning "for the use of the product it is advisable to hear the opinion of the doctor". For a safe use of infusions and herbal teas in the first three years of life it is therefore necessary to follow the same rules of behavior, contacting the pediatrician in advance, also in order to avoid negative interference with breastfeeding in this case.
Ultimately, concludes the Single Commission for Dietetics and Nutrition, i natural products pthey can make a contribution to maintaining and optimizing well-being, but "without any purpose of care". And in the most vulnerable groups of the population it is recommended in any case to seek the advice of the doctor. An infusion or a food supplement certainly cannot solve all our problems, but, avoiding a "wild" consumption and consulting the experts, we will still be able to take advantage of a natural remedy that is good for our body.
Roberta Ragni
To download the document click Thu
To learn more, read also Pesticides and the obscure ministerial note
