Nip a cold. Boost your energy. Relieve your anxiety. More and more, people are turning to herbal supplements in a quest for relief from anything that ails them, be it arthritis, depression, or the common cold, especially when traditional remedies fail them.

People who have fibromyalgia are likely candidates for taking herbal supplements. If you've been unable to achieve relief from pharmaceutical drugs or other therapies, you may wonder if these alternative remedies might do the trick.

The answer, unfortunately, is not clear. The science on many of these products is murky, and most people are left to rely on anecdotal reports about a supplement's effects. At the same time, some people do find success with herbal remedies. The key to taking any of these products is to approach with caution.

Safety First

Before we mention some of the more common products associated with the treatment of fibromyalgia, it's important to discuss the safety factor. Let's face it: People who have a chronic pain condition are vulnerable targets for unscrupulous marketers peddling cure-alls and therapies that promise relief.

Truth is, there is little scientific proof to back up many of these claims. Each treatment needs to be considered on its own merits and how it might impact your health. But you should keep some general guidelines in mind:

• “Natural” does not mean “safe.” Think of the poisonous mushrooms and berries that grow in the wild.

• Everyone responds differently. The state of your health, how the treatment is used, even your belief in the treatment can all impact how well a remedy works for you.

• Beware of any health claims. Claims that a supplement can diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease are invalid and must have scientific proof. Without scientific evidence, such claims violate regulations, and the product is considered an unapproved drug.

• Stick with established manufacturers. They can be held accountable for their products.

• If you use herbal products, be sure they're “standardized.” This means that they've been measured and guarantee the amount of active ingredient in the pill, not just the amount of the herb.

Keep in mind too that supplements are classified as food, not drugs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates dietary supplements under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), which says the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a supplement is safe before it is marketed. Safety depends on several factors, including the ingredients, where they come from, and the quality of the manufacturing process. Manufacturers must also make sure that information on the label is truthful and not misleading.

Most manufacturers do not need to register with the FDA or get FDA approval before producing or selling dietary supplements. The FDA is responsible, however, for taking action against any unsafe dietary supplement product after it reaches the market. So if a product is deemed unsafe, the FDA can prohibit its sale.

Popular Supplements for Fibro

It's not unusual at all for fibro sufferers to turn to supplements. While it would be impossible to list every supplement that you might consider taking, you should be familiar with some that seem to have some benefit to people with fibromyalgia. Keep in mind, though, that not all supplements will help all patients. Again, it will take some trial and error to pin down those that work for you.