Herbal supplements and vitamin supplements are often interchanged. Most herbs contain some vitamins. Vitamins are usually either synthetic or derived from animals, herbs or fruit. From this close association, the concept for herbal vitamins emerged.

The need for vitamins

Since our bodies cannot manufacture or synthesize most of the identified vitamins, we must get vitamins from outside sources. When we use the phrase herbal vitamins, we are typically referring to vitamins that have been derived from herbs. Like any other vitamins, herbal vitamins are taken as either a dietary component or a dietary supplement.

What herbal vitamins do

Vitamins, whether derived from herbs or from another source, are essential to the proper functioning of the human body. Herbal vitamins can provide support to the human body in the forms of healthy growth, vitality and overall health.

However, don't fall for the belief that herbal vitamins can be a replacement for healthy food. In fact, most experts now believe that the body can't properly use even herbal vitamins without the other components that typically accompany these vitamins in healthy foods. That is why it is usually recommended that you take your herbal vitamins with a meal, one that is preferably healthy.

One of the main functions that these herbal vitamins are intended to assist in is the regulation of metabolism. They help in transforming fat and carbohydrates into a form that the cells can use. Also, vitamins are believed to aid in the proper formation of bones and tissue.

Herbs rich in beta-carotene

Perhaps one of the best examples of herbal vitamins is beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. The human body uses vitamin A in order to aid the growth and repair of body tissues.

Many herbs contain beta carotene. The herb known as agrimony, or what many people refer to as plant healing to eyes, is a particularly good herbal source of beta-carotene. Herbal skin care treatments usually has beta-carotene in hopes of maintaining smooth, soft, disease-free skin. Vitamin A converted from herbal vitamins can be used by the body to counteract night blindness and weak eyesight.

Another popular herbal vitamin is Vitalerbs. It can be found in many health food stores and nutrition centers. It is composed of herbs such as alfalfa, dandelion, kelp and purple duce. Because the vitamins remain intact with their herbal sources, the body is more able to absorb and put the vitamins contained in it to use. It contains many vitamins in their natural form such as ascorbic acid, biotin, calcium, choline, and pantothenic acid, iodine and iron.