Herb Pharm Witch Hazel

Our assessment

The evidence shows that witch hazel is a traditional topical astringent, but the specific data provided on calcium does not apply to this product. Our assessment: This supplement contains calcium, and the data on calcium is clear — you need it for bone health, but careful dosing is essential. High intakes may increase the risk of heart disease and prostate cancer [NIH ODS].

How it works

Think of calcium as a structural building block for your bones and a key player in your nervous system. It supports bone mineralization and density, and it helps your muscles relax and your nerves send signals properly [NIH ODS]. The label does not specify the amount of calcium in this product, so you cannot reliably count this toward your daily needs.

Safety profile

The FDA has received 592,059 total adverse event reports across all supplements, but specific side effect counts for this product are not available. For calcium specifically, high levels in your blood and urine can cause poor muscle tone, poor kidney function, low phosphate levels, constipation, nausea, weight loss, extreme tiredness, frequent urination, abnormal heart rhythms, and a high risk of death from heart disease [NIH ODS]. Calcium can also reduce the absorption of medications including bisphosphonates, tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, levothyroxine, and phenytoin [NIH ODS].

Our recommendation

Data not available on the exact calcium content in this product. Because the dosage is unclear, we cannot recommend this supplement as a reliable source of calcium. If you need calcium for bone health, choose a supplement with a clearly stated amount, such as 500–600 mg per serving, and take it separately from thyroid medication or antibiotics. For this specific product, the benefit is uncertain and the risks of unmeasured calcium intake are real [NIH ODS].

Supplement labels contain several key sections regulated by the FDA:

• Serving Size — The recommended amount per dose. Always check this — some products require multiple capsules per serving.
• Amount Per Serving — Shows the quantity of each nutrient in the product, typically in IU (International Units), mg (milligrams), or mcg (micrograms).
• % Daily Value (%DV) — Indicates how much a nutrient in a serving contributes to a daily diet. 5% DV or less is low; 20% DV or more is high.
• Other Ingredients — Lists inactive ingredients like fillers, binders, and capsule materials (e.g., gelatin, cellulose, magnesium stearate).
• Suggested Use — The manufacturer's recommended directions for taking the supplement, including timing and dosage.

Source: FDA Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide