Herbal products are unregulated, meaning that their contents may differ significantly from what is indicated on the label, leading to ineffective medicine, serious health concerns, or even poisoning.
However, consumers can take measures to safeguard themselves from unsafe herbal products when purchasing them online. This article will outline what consumers should keep an eye out for when purchasing herbal products online.
What are they?
Herbal medicines are natural remedies derived from plant parts such as leaves, roots, or flowers and are used worldwide to treat various symptoms. Prescribed or over-the-counter remedies may also be found at health food shops, pharmacies, or supermarkets.
Herbal supplements do not fall under the same regulations or clinical trials that apply to traditional prescription or over-the-counter drugs; thus they do not need to be approved for sale by authorities like drug makers and regulators. Instead, doctors and pharmacists typically recommend them for specific ailments; St John's Worth is often suggested by them for mild depression due to its demonstrated effect on mood regulation in some people.
When purchasing herbal products online, look for the Traditional Herbal Registration Mark (THR). This ensures that the medicine has been authorized by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to make structure/function claims, meeting quality standards for manufacturing, safety, and information on how best to use the medicine. It helps eliminate fake, unlicensed, and contaminated goods entering the supply chain, and reporting any side effects or problems via the Yellow Card scheme operated by MHRA is also encouraged.
How do they work?
Herbal medicine (also referred to as phytomedicine, phytotherapy, or botanical medicine) uses combinations of plant parts to restore balance to the body. Herbal remedies aim to support and regulate bodily processes so they can protect and heal themselves and are often employed alongside conventional cancer therapies.
Herbs come in various forms - tablets, capsules, tea bags, extracts, and fresh or dried plants are just some of them - and people use them to aid health in various forms: keeping healthy or treating symptoms and conditions. As with many drugs that claim to help, not always tested in the same way, and these natural supplements may make misleading claims. It is also important to remember that just because something is natural doesn't mean it is always safe or effective; herbal supplements may cause side effects when not prepared properly or may interact with existing medications - beware - natural!
Work with a certified herbal practitioner who can advise on which remedies are right for your condition and source. Their knowledge of specific plants will allow them to help pinpoint which ones work and provide insight into where each one originated.
Purchase herbal products only from stores and pharmacies registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which display traditional remedies that have been produced under an established quality management system. Their packaging will display an MHRA symbol or mark.
How do I know they’re safe?
Many people rely on herbal products to maintain good health, such as herbs, spices, and dietary supplements containing turmeric and ginger. Unfortunately, not all herbal products can be trusted - those sold without a license do not undergo quality controls like those regulated medicinal products do and could contain unlisted ingredients or be unsafe. Furthermore, such products could interact negatively with prescription medication (including heart medication and blood thinners) as well as not being suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Aiming to purchase herbal products from reputable practitioners and following their instructions. Look out for traditional herbal registration marks on packaging to confirm if a medicine has been registered in the UK as per stringent safety standards.
Conclusion
Herbal products should always be stored in a cool, dry location away from light and heat sources, out of reach of children and babies, and within their expiration dates. Furthermore, it is advisable to consult your healthcare practitioner before beginning to take herbal supplements, particularly if taking other medications or elderly. One study found that users were reluctant to inform doctors of their use; most healthcare professionals believe the public lacks information regarding herbal product safety [35], while most herbal users thought pharmacists could provide more comprehensive product knowledge [37].
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