This section provides some general advice on using herbal medicine and some considerations when consulting an herbal practitioner.
Guidelines for herbal medicines for further guidelines for consulting an herbal practitioner or select from the downloads below.
General advice
Herbal products/remedies are herbal medicines. As such they should be used with care following the instructions for use. Before obtaining herbal medicines over-the-counter in pharmacies or supermarkets check that your medical condition is suitable for self treatment with herbs. You should also ensure that you are using the appropriate products. A medicine from a ‘natural’ source is not necessarily ‘safe’; many plants contain potentially toxic chemicals. Many pharmaceuticals have been developed from these compounds.
Regulation of products
Relatively few herbal products have been regulated by the MHRA and have provided evidence of quality and safety. Look for the PL (Product Licence) number or the THR (Traditional Herbal Registration) number on the packaging. Be cautious when buying herbal medicines over the internet as these are likely to be unregulated. Many counterfeit medicinal products are supplied via the internet - they may contain harmful substances, incorrect doses of pharmaceutical ingredients or illegal ingredients.
Practitioner registration
Many different traditions of herbal medicine are in use in the UK. The most popular are Western herbal practitioners (Medical Herbalists), Chinese and Ayurvedic practitioners. There is no compulsory training or registration scheme at present, but there are some voluntary registers. Look for practitioners who are registered with associations such as: National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH), College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy (CPP), Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) or Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM).