Introduction to Herbal Medicinal Products

A wide range of herbal medicinal products is available on the UK market. They come from all countries and traditions, European/N American, Chinese, Ayurveda, South America, Africa and Asia. They may contain single herbs or herbal combinations generally only for minor self limiting conditions. Some have a long tradition of use, such as valerian or passion flower to aid sleep. There have been many clinical trials of some specific extracts of ginkgo leaf or St John’s Wort to show different benefits and safety of these products. The majority of herbs though, have not been tested in clinical trials and there is limited information in the literature. Some newly formulated products bring together herbs of different traditions, for example, Ginseng (Panax ginseng used in Chinese medicine) and Guarana (Paullinia cupana from Brazil), or they may be complex formulas of more than ten herbs sourced from many different traditions. Despite the claims there is limited information on the safety or efficacy of such products.

Herbal products are obtained from pharmacies, health food stores, supermarkets, or mail order and may be supplied as:

These products are unregulated and do not have to meet any requirements for quality or safety, so standards vary widely. They may have limited information on how to use them (safety warnings or contraindications) or potential side effects. Information provided may be incomplete or unreliable. The Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration Scheme was introduced in 2005 (implementation 2011) to ensure the quality and safety of manufactured herbal medicines. (see below).

The Traditional Herbal Medicines Registration Scheme is a simplified scheme for over-the-counter herbal medicines suitable for use without the intervention of a medical practitioner. Such products have to meet specific standards of safety and quality based on traditional usage. Patient information leaflets provide information on contraindications and other safety warnings. These products can be identified by the THR (Traditional Herbal Registration) number and logo on the label (see Traditional herbal regulation under Guidelines).

Some herbal medicines in the UK have a product licence just like any other medicine. These are required to demonstrate safety, quality and efficacy (or effectiveness) and be accompanied by the necessary information for safe usage. These products can be identified by a distinctive nine number Product Licence (PL) number on the product container or packaging which is pre-fixed by the letters PL.

Herbal products/remedies are herbal medicines and as with any other medicine are likely to have an effect on the body. For general safety advice see the ‘Guidelines’ section on ‘Using herbal medicines’