The World Health Organization estimates that 80 percent of the world's population depends on herbs and plants to treat many conditions. According to Dr. James F. Balch in his guide to Natural Health, herbalism plays an important role in Asian and Native American healing practices.

Both the terms natural and organic have been commonly used to describe foods that have not been treated by a chemical means. The same terms apply to cosmetics. The term natural relates to substances derived from nature, and organic materials come from plants, herbs, or animals. In describing cosmetic products, these terms are often used interchangeably. It is important to note that while some products may be natural, they may not be organic.

In a report issued by Charles Vinci Products, European governments set higher standards for herb manufacturing than the United States. The report affirms: " Part of the reason is because Europe has always viewed plants as important sources of medicine. Unlike the U.S. medical establishment, the European medical community never rejected plants as valuable medicinal tools." In addition, plants and herbs grown in France, for example are not treated with pesticides and often find their way into cosmetic formulations which claim to be of superior quality.

I recently received an announcement about a high-end cosmetics company called "Votre Vu" about to launch a line of skin care products in May. Part of the appeal is the fact that the herbs used, are grown abroad, and therefore will be attractive to those of a purist mentality. The company issued several product fact sheets and I will be sharing more information about the product line in future columns, after I do more investigation and review the brand in more depth.

Many cosmetics companies believe whole heartedly in selecting European standardized herbal extracts because they are sold on the notion that European companies offer a higher level of quality, and they assert that European herbal formulations must be scientifically proven in advance of being thrust into the market.

I'm sure American companies can learn valuable lessons from how European herbal manufacturers operate, but at the same time the appeal of American cosmetic products will always be their accessibility and price points. I'm all for "The year of the drugstore" and the mass marketed products that don't burn a hole in the pocket, especially in light of the price of gas- even with cosmetics being recognized as recession-proof- budget conscious women may not be so convinced about rigorous European standards.

Jackie O' Neal is a contributing writer for Fabulously40.