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Herbal remedy dangers

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Many herbal remedies on sale in the UK lack important safety information, researchers have warned.

A new EU law which came into force in April this year requires herbal medicinal products to be licensed, or to get Traditional Herbal Registration (THR), which means the information with the product has been approved.

The information provided with the herbal product should clearly explain the risk of side effects and possible interactions with prescribed medicines.

Researchers from the University of Leeds investigated the safety information supplied with 68 different preparations of five common herbal remedies: St John’s wort, Asian ginseng, Echinacea, garlic and Ginkgo.

The products were chosen because they can cause potentially harmful effects in some people.

St John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill and can also affect warfarin, a drug used to prevent blood clotting.

Herbal medicine

Herbal medicine

Asian ginseng is not suitable for people with diabetes and Ginkgo and Echinacea can cause allergic reactions.

Even garlic can cause problems for some people as it can thin the blood and interfere with drugs used to treat HIV, the researchers said.

The study found that 93 per cent of the products looked at were unlicensed, which meant they did not have to meet any safety or quality standards, and over half were marketed as food supplements.


Only 13 per cent contained an information sheet and just three contained an acceptable amount of safety information.

Theo Raynor, professor of pharmacy at the university, said: “Consumers need reliable and comprehensive information when buying herbal remedies – information which tells them whether the remedy is suitable for them.

“I would advise anyone buying a herbal medicine to check the box or packaging contains the ‘THR’ logo, which shows that the information it comes with has been approved.

“Herbal medicines should, ideally, be purchased where trained staff are available, so that consumers can have any questions answered. This information should be available from pharmacists.

“People should also always tell their doctor about herbal medicines they are taking, so they receive the best possible care.”

The study is published in the journal BMC Medicine.

Herbal remedy dangers

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The inquest into the death of a man in Ireland has highlighted the dangers of combining herbal products with medication.

Cormac O’Sullivan, 21, died from cardio-respiratory failure caused by drinking Kratom tea mixed with sedatives and muscular pain relief drugs. Kratom tea is marketed for its relaxation properties.

Coroner Dr Brian Farrell warned that herbal products should be used with great caution, and not in combination with other medications.

“Cormac’s tragic death emphasises the need for prudence when using herbal substances. Buying them on the internet doesn’t guarantee their quality or content,” Dr Farrell said.

Regulated herbal products help consumers avoid risks from poor manufacturing standards and missing consumer information.

However, consumers are still at risk if they do not follow usage instructions, as they could incur an adverse reaction when mixing the product with other medications.

Herbal medicines

Herbal medicines

For instance, St John’s Wort, a popular herbal anti-depressant, may interact with many prescribed medicines, including the contraceptive pill and immunosuppressant drugs.

Ginkgo biloba, promoted as a memory enhancer, can interfere with the action of anesthetics.

So it is always best to consult with your doctor before taking them, especially if you already have an existing medical condition and/or already taking medication.


Unlicensed herbal products may not even contain the listed ingredients – and may contain other, harmful ingredients.

Indeed, there are have been also been cases where herbal remedies have been found to contain drugs to make them effective.

Only recently, health authorities warned the public against a natural sexual supplement that was laced with Viagra.

And in April this year, the UK Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) warned of a natural pain reliever for arthritis available online and by mail-order which was laced with an antihistamine, chlorphenamine.

If you buy herbal remedies it is best to look for one which are registered with the MHRA. These carry a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) symbol on their packaging which means they “meet the required standards relating to its quality, safety, evidence of traditional use.”

However, the MHRA also states, “the products themselves do not necessarily work in the way the manufacturer claims.”