Herbs & Botanicals

47 herbal products including echinacea, milk thistle, valerian, saw palmetto, hawthorn, nettle and ginkgo, in capsules, tablets, tinctures, liquids and a spray. Brands include A Vogel, Viridian, Power Health, Lamberts, Solgar and Herb Pharm.

Three different kinds of product

• Food supplements - most of what is here. They may only carry the approved health claims, and almost no herb has one.
• Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) products - registered with the MHRA on the basis of at least 30 years of traditional use rather than clinical trials. A THR product carries a registration number and a specific permitted wording. Several A Vogel products here are THR-registered.
• Licensed herbal medicines - fewer in number, assessed on efficacy and safety like any medicine.

The pack tells you which one you are holding, and it is the most useful thing to read.

Tinctures, extracts and dried herb

Tinctures are alcohol or glycerine extracts, taken in drops. Standardised extracts state a percentage of a marker compound and pack more plant material into a capsule. Dried whole herb is closest to the plant. Compare the extract ratio or standardisation figure rather than the capsule weight - they are not the same measure.

Herbs interact with medicines

This is the important part. St John's Wort interacts with a long list of prescriptions including the contraceptive pill, anticoagulants and antidepressants. Ginkgo and garlic affect blood clotting. Valerian adds to the effect of sedatives. Milk thistle and others affect how the liver processes drugs. If you take anything prescribed, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have surgery coming up, check with your pharmacist before starting a herbal product.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.