Herbal Supplements

Herbal Supplements covers ashwagandha, turmeric and curcumin, milk thistle, moringa, ginseng, saw palmetto, lion’s mane and the plant-based supplements taken for specific purposes.

What Has Reasonable Evidence

• Ashwagandha — the best-supported herb here, with several trials showing modest reductions in stress and improvements in sleep. Avoid it in pregnancy and with thyroid medication, which it can interact with.

• Curcumin (turmeric) — genuine anti-inflammatory activity, but very poorly absorbed on its own. Look for a formulation with piperine or a phospholipid complex; plain turmeric powder in a capsule does very little.

• Milk thistle — reasonable evidence for liver support, and among the better tolerated.

• Saw palmetto — mixed evidence for prostate symptoms. Importantly, it can mask a PSA test result, so tell your doctor.

• Ginseng, moringa and lion’s mane — encouraging early research, far from settled. Reasonable to try, not to rely on.

Taking Them Safely

• Tell your doctor. Turmeric and ginseng affect clotting; ashwagandha affects thyroid; several affect blood sugar and blood pressure.

• Follow the label dose. More is not better, and some of these are hard on the liver at high doses.

• Give it eight to twelve weeks and change one thing at a time.

• Stop and see a doctor for yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, persistent nausea or upper abdominal pain — the signs of liver irritation.

• Not in pregnancy or breastfeeding without medical approval.

Choosing a Product

Look for the standardised extract percentage — “ashwagandha root extract, standardised to 5% withanolides” tells you something; “ashwagandha 500mg” does not. Look for a named manufacturer, an address and a batch number. And be sceptical of proprietary blends that list ten herbs without stating how much of each, which usually means very little of any.

Shopping This Category

• Every listing states what we actually know — size, quantity, country of origin, and the specification the manufacturer publishes. Where a detail is not available, the page says so instead of filling the space.

• Compare pack size, not just price. A larger pack is usually cheaper per unit; a small one is the sensible way to try something new.

• Delivery across Bangladesh, with cash on delivery available in most areas.

• Ask us if a listing does not answer your question. We would rather check than guess, and we correct a listing when we find it wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is worth trying for stress and sleep?

Ashwagandha has the most supportive evidence, taken consistently for eight to twelve weeks. It is not a substitute for treating anxiety or insomnia properly if they are affecting your life.

Why is my turmeric supplement not working?

Curcumin is very poorly absorbed alone. Look for a product with piperine or a phospholipid complex, and take it with a meal containing fat.

Can I take several herbal supplements together?

Better not to start several at once — you learn nothing about what works and you multiply the interaction risk. One at a time, for two to three months each.

How do I know the product is genuine?

Check the seal, the batch number and the expiry printed on the pack itself rather than on a sticker over it. Everything we sell is sourced to arrive sealed and within date, and if what you receive does not match the listing we will put it right.

How much shelf life will it have?

We stock to arrive well within date and do not knowingly ship anything close to expiry. If you need a specific minimum for a particular order, ask before placing it and we will check the batch.