A variety of identifying terms for herbal products are found in the research literature and on the Internet/WWW, including "herbal treatment", "herbal remedy", "herbal therapy", "herbal alternative", and so forth. "Herbal supplement" was selected for use here for two primary reasons. To "supplement" means to "augment, complement, enhance, enrich". In other contexts, a supplement may or may not be necessary and, when necessary, may be needed for only a short time or for an extended period. This seems an especially accurate description of the role of herbal products in regard to mental health.

The term, supplement, is also consistent with the requirement of the Food and Drug Administration that sites (including this one) which describe herbal products include a statement like the one below.

Statements made, or products recommended through this web site, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The note of caution above is important, and in fact has been a consideration throughout the process of preparing this material. It is also important, though, to acknowledge the growing body of evidence supporting the use of some herbal products and the overall recognition of the importance of treatment options by mainstream organizations, including the National Institutes of Health.