By now, it has probably become stunningly obvious to you that the DSHEA law, while protecting our ability to sell and promote our herbs, has also very much restricted our ability to do what we do.
Yin and yang arise together and while we can't help people find safe and effective solutions to their diseases, we also benefit from this law that reins in the unethical marketers who can fool people into thinking that they're getting the help they need when they're really not.
The DSHEA law concerns itself primarily with what shows up in print, whether that is the physical label on the bottle containing the herbs, or any printed matter (physical or virtual) in support of sales of these herbs. I have seen no indication that the FDA or DSHEA cares about what we say in one-to-one encounters with our patients.
This DSHEA law brings up a number of concerns and frustrations for the TCM community. The one organization that I have found that seems to be stepping up to the plate to represent us on a federal level is the American Herbal Products Association.
Good luck with your supplement labeling and may all of your claims be compliant and all of your adverse events be tracked down to some other pharmaceutical entity. ;)
