According to a recent report in Herbalgram (published by the American Botanical Council), domestic sales of herbal and botanical dietary supplements rose by a very healthy 4.8 percent in 2009, exceeding an estimated $5 billion for the very first time, dispelling concerns about any linkage between the "imaginary value" of supplements and the Tooth Fairy described in a recent Reader's Digest article.

The biggest increase in herbal supplement sales was seen in the mass market sector (grocery stores, drug stores, warehouse clubs and c-stores) with a jump of nearly 15 percent, nearly tripling that of natural and health food chains like Whole Foods and specialty retail outlets like GNC.

What follows are the top 10 selling herbal dietary supplements among U.S. food, drug and mass market outlets. (For expanded, more complete lists, hit the free report link below.)

1. Cranberry

2. Soy

3. Saw palmetto

4. Garlic

5. Echinacea

6. Gingko

7. Milk thistle

8. St. John's wort

9. Ginseng

10. Black cohosh

No doubt, you have many options about where to buy a healthy, good-for-you supplement. But, do you really know what you're getting -- namely quality and safety -- for the amount you're spending each month? Review CNCA’s Nutritional Supplement Quality -- The Facts, just to be sure.

HerbalGram, No. 86, pp. 62-65, Summer 2010 Free Full Text Report

Nutraceuticals World May 7, 2010