Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies are substances that use plant parts like leaves, roots or flowers as the main active ingredient.

They come in various forms, such as capsules, teas, liquid drops or skin creams. You can get them at health food shops, supermarkets, pharmacies and from herbal practitioners.

Plants and herbal remedies can be fantastic. Just check in with the pharmacy if you're taking medications to be sure they won't negatively impact medications you're taking.

What are herbal remedies used for?

There are lots of different types of herbal remedies that claim to help with health and wellbeing.

Some may be referred to as 'supplements'. Others may be referred to as 'medicines', which means they aim to treat, cure or prevent a diagnosed health problem.

They include:

• Chamomile, lavender or valerian remedies for sleep problems and relaxation
• St John's wort for depression
• Chasteberry for PMDD and premenstrual syndrome

Some herbal remedies are part of alternative approaches to healthcare. For example, Ayurvedic medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Do herbal remedies work?

Not all herbal remedies have been researched equally. Some have more scientific evidence to show how they work than others. But many people find certain herbal remedies help them as part of self-care. Or help them to manage symptoms of a mental health problem.

I enjoy chamomile tea. I tend to drink it when stressed, anxious, or wanting to try wind down and relax. I do find it helps, because hot drinks are soothing. I really like the smell too, which feels comfy and helps me sleep.

How are herbal remedies different from psychiatric drugs?

Unlike psychiatric medication, most herbal remedies are:

• Often based on traditional use rather than scientific research. But some remedies have more research than others.
• Available to buy over-the-counter without a doctor's prescription.
• Less likely to be recommended by an NHS professional. This is because there isn't enough reliable evidence that they're effective at treating mental health problems.
• Regulated under different licensing rules.
• Occasionally prepared 'bespoke' by a herbal practitioner. This means they're specifically mixed for you.

I like calming essential oils like lavender dotted about on soft furnishings and clothes.

Are herbal remedies safer to take than psychiatric drugs?

Some people assume that herbal remedies must be safer than psychiatric drugs. Or that they're less likely to cause side effects. But this isn't necessarily true.

Herbal remedies can cause side effects and can interact with other drugs, just as prescription drugs can. If not prepared correctly, some may be toxic.

If you're in any doubt about whether a medication or herbal remedy is safe for you to take, seek advice from your GP or local pharmacist.

If you experience any side effects from herbal medicines, you can report these to the Yellow Card scheme.

How are herbal remedies licensed?

Products that contain herbal ingredients are licensed differently depending on whether they're considered a:

• Herbal medicine, such as St John's wort
• Food, such as some herbal teas
• Cosmetic, such as skin creams that contain herbal ingredients

Herbal remedies that are prepared individually for you by a herbal practitioner aren't licensed. These are sometimes called 'bespoke' preparations.

Herbal medicines sold in supermarkets, pharmacies and health shops in the UK are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This is the same organisation that licenses other kinds of drugs, including psychiatric medications. But herbal medicines are covered by a different scheme. This is the Traditional Herbal Medicines (THR) Registration scheme.

Under this scheme, herbal medicines don't need to go through clinical trials like prescription drugs do. But they do need to show that the medicine:

• Is only used to treat minor health conditions
• Has been used as a traditional medicine for a long time
• Is safe to use

Herbal medicines licensed under the THR scheme will normally have a THR mark on the packaging:

This indicates that the herbal medicine is safe to an acceptable standard, if it's used according to the instructions on the packaging. You can find a list of which herbal medicines have been granted a THR on the Gov.uk website.

Some herbal ingredients are banned in the UK. You can find a list of banned or restricted herbal ingredients for medicinal use on the Gov.uk website.

When might herbal remedies be unsuitable for me?

Although herbal remedies are easily available to buy without a prescription, some may not be suitable for you. Or they could be harmful. For example, if you:

• Have another physical or mental health problem which could be made worse by taking a herbal remedy. This particularly applies to a health condition that affects your kidneys or liver.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Are taking any other medications. This includes psychiatric medications, as they may interact badly.
• Are allergic to any of the ingredients.
• Take too much, or don't take them as instructed on the packaging.
• Are due to have surgery. This is because some herbal remedies can interfere with anaesthetic.
• Are buying herbal remedies online. Different countries have different rules on regulating herbal products. And there are risks that the product could be unsafe, fake or toxic. Some herbal ingredients available in other countries are banned in the UK. 
• Take a remedy that isn't licensed.

What is a herbal practitioner?

People who practise herbal medicine may call themselves a 'herbal practitioner' or 'herbalist'.

There are degrees and qualifications that people can do for herbal medicine. But not everyone that calls themselves a herbal practitioner will have qualifications.

You can use the find a herbalist search on the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) website. Members of the NIMH have to have certain qualifications to join and be listed on the website. So you'll be searching for practitioners with recognised qualifications.

Bespoke herbal preparations

A herbal practitioner may make a mixture of herbal ingredients specifically for you. This is normally after you've talked to them about why you want to take a herbal remedy. 

Typically these are made from different parts of plants, minerals and sometimes metals. But because these preparations aren't licensed you can't be sure what's in them, or in what dose.

It's important to discuss any concerns with your doctor, pharmacist or herbal practitioner. For example, you might ask:

• What's in the preparation?
• How might it make me feel?
• What side effects should I expect?
• What should I do if I experience side effects that I wasn't told about?

For more guidance see our pages on:

• What to know before taking medication
• Receiving the right medication for you
• Coping with side effects
• The Yellow Card scheme (for how to report side effects from any medication, including herbal remedies)

The NHS also has some information on herbal medicines.