This section provides information about current safety issues associated with herbal medicines.
- Advice to manufacturers, suppliers and practitioners of herbal medicine
It would be helpful if you could note information about each safety issue and follow any advice or requests which are made to protect public safety. - Advice to consumers
On any issue where no specific advice is given to consumers please follow this general advice if you are currently taking the product: -
- you are advised to discontinue use and consult your pharmacist or doctor
- when speaking to your doctor of pharmacist you may find it helpful to take a copy of this MHRA advice about the product with you
- you should continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor.
In 2008 the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee, (the body that provides independent expert advice to the Government on herbal medicines) asked the MHRA to make available an updated summary document: Public Health Risk with Herbal Medicines: an Overview
(782Kb) (July 2008). The aim of doing this is to promote wider understanding of herbal safety issues.
Latest herbal safety updates
02 Apr 2012 | Department of Health in Hong Kong finds Traditional Chinese Medicines to contain heavy metals and undeclared pharmaceuticals
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Anshen Bunao Pian (Chung Lien Kulin Brand) has been found by the Department of Health in Hong Kong to contain 55 times the level of mercury permitted in China. Acute mercury poisoning can damage the neurological system and kidneys. The product is manufactured in mainland China and imported by Fung Wah (HK) Company. It is used for treating restlessness and insomnia.
29 Feb 2012 | Paiyouji Plus - Fast Acting Slimming Tea found to contain potentially dangerous undeclared pharmaceuticals
Following a safety alert issued in October 2010 about slimming products containing Paiyouji the Agency has received a further complaint about a product called Paiyouji Plus - Fast Acting Slimming Tea.
24 Feb 2012 | Herbal slimming products found to contain potentially dangerous undeclared pharmaceuticals
We are advising consumers not to buy the potentially dangerous herbal slimming products specified in this warning, as laboratory tests found evidence of pharmaceutical ingredients not declared on the label that may pose serous health risks.
24 Feb 2012 | Advice to consumers not to use unlicensed herbal medicines used for erectile dysfunction
We are advising consumers not to use the various unlicensed herbal medicines used for erectile dysfunction specified in this alert due to concerns about possible side effects.
27 Jan 2012 | Consumers are advised not to take unlicensed Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) herbal remedies
The MHRA has recently become aware that unlicensed herbal products containing butterbur (Petasites hybridus) are being marketed in the UK and is warning consumers about the risks associated with the use of these products.
Herbal skin creams warnings and alerts
Herbal slimming products warnings and alerts
Herbal erectile/sexual dysfunction product warnings and alerts
Go to herbal erectile/sexual dysfunction product warnings and alerts
