Standardized vs Fingerprinted Herbs

[warriorqueen]

Hi there, I get confused about this too. I just did a quick search for 'standardized herbs' in google and came across this:
www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2000/feb/02gaeddert.html

The writer claims that standardized, although more expensive, can contain added chemicals and may not be any more effective than the whole herb. I'm not an expert so if anyone wants to jump in here, please go ahead!

[Suze]

The author of this article reaaally sounds like someone defending his little chapel and business.
Standardized extracts are usually focused on one or a couple substances. Which for some herbs is a good idea, since whole herbs usually have more side-effects than the said substances alone. If you suffer from allergic manifestations, the extract may be safer and better than the whole. On the other hand, the substances selected in the extract may not be the ones in the herb that have the effect you're seeking.
The only sound advice I can think of in this dispute is that if you really want to both know what you're taking and buy it cheap, get whole herbs, not pills, and prepare them yourself.