herbal medicines

The new study by researchers from the University of Leeds reveals that most over-the-counter herbal products do not contain all of the key information needed for safe use.

Study details

Following a EU directive, a ban on the sale of Ayurvedic and herbal medicines will come into force from May 1 all across the Europe.

The directive, Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive, 2004/24/EC, was issued in response to concern over non-beneficial effects such alternative medicine products produce in consumers.

The directive
The directive virtually makes it illegal to sell herbal medicines and the so-called food supplements without licence. That licence is costly to obtain.

Forensic pathologist Roger Byard, a pathology professor at the University of Adelaide (U-A), reviewed the risks attached to herbal medicines. His findings have been posted in last month's edition of the Journal of Forensic Sciences.

His research has been sparked by the death of a young South Australian man in 2006 who had injected chan su, a traditional Chinese herbal remedy that contains toxic compound, toad venom.

Herbal medicines and potential dangers