Herbal medicines are a type of complementary and alternative medicine made from plants or plant extracts that are used to prevent, treat, or manage health conditions. They contain active ingredients from parts of plants, such as leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, or bark.
Herbal medicines are also known as herbal remedies or botanical medicines. They can come in many forms, including tablets, capsules, teas, oils, and creams.
Some herbal medicines have been used for centuries as part of traditional medicine, while others have been studied in clinical research to understand how well they work and how safe they are.
Common types of herbal medicine and what they’re used for
There are hundreds of herbal medicines available, but some are used far more commonly than others. The most common types and what they are used for are listed below.
Type of herbal medicine:
Commonly used for:
St John’s wort
Mild to moderate depression
Ginger
Feeling sick (nausea) and morning sickness
Peppermint oil
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Turmeric
Joint pain and inflammation
Ashwagandha
Stress, anxiety, and sleep
Echinacea
Preventing or treating colds
Ginkgo biloba
Memory and cognitive function
Red clover
Hot flushes during menopause
Valerian root
Insomnia and poor sleep
Rose hip (GOPO)
Pain relief and stiffness in osteoarthritis
Research suggests that some herbal medicines may help with certain health conditions. But how effective they are depends on the individual remedy and the quality of the research behind it.
For example, St John’s wort may help some people with mild depression, while ashwagandha has shown potential to ease stress and anxiety. Products containing rosehip extract – such as GOPO – could also help relieve osteoarthritis symptoms. However, other commonly used supplements, such as glucosamine, have mixed evidence.
The effectiveness of a herbal medicine also depends on the quality of the product, the dose taken, and the condition being treated.
Which herbal medicines may work?
Some herbal medicines have been studied for their potential benefits in certain health conditions.
These include:
Many herbal medicines are safe when used correctly, but “natural” doesn’t always mean risk-free. Some can cause side effects, interact with prescription medicines, or be unsuitable if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have certain health conditions.
Unlike prescription medicines, herbal medicines don’t usually have to prove they’re effective before being sold. However, in the UK, many products are registered under the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme, regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
A THR mark means the product meets quality and safety standards and contains the ingredients listed on the label, but it doesn’t prove the herbal medicine works.
Be cautious when buying herbal medicines online, as products from outside the UK may not meet the same standards. Before taking a herbal medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you take prescription medicines or have any underlying health conditions.
Can honey help hay fever?
Some herbal medicines can interact with prescription medicines, making them less effective or increasing the risk of side effects.
Common examples include:
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Blood thinners (warfarin) – herbal medicines such as St John’s wort, ginseng and ginkgo biloba can affect how well warfarin works, increasing the risk of bleeding or blood clots.
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Aspirin – ginkgo biloba may increase the risk of bleeding when taken alongside aspirin.
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Decongestants (pseudoephedrine) – green tea supplements may interact with pseudoephedrine and increase the chance of side effects such as a faster heart rate or raised blood pressure.
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Other prescription medicines – St John’s wort can interact with a wide range of medicines, including some antidepressants, contraceptive pills, heart medicines, and medicines used to treat epilepsy, HIV and cancer. However, it is generally well tolerated in healthy adults.
Before you take any herbal medicine, it’s worth checking whether it could interact with your prescribed medication. You can do this by using Patient’s drug interaction checker.
Herbal medicines should not replace conventional medicines, particularly for serious or long-term health conditions. While some herbal remedies may help with certain symptoms, they may not treat the underlying cause of a condition.
The evidence and safety of herbal medicines varies, and some can interact with prescription medicines or affect how well they work. Always speak to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping prescribed treatment or starting a herbal medicine.
Before trying a herbal medicine, consider the following tips to help reduce your risk of side effects and make an informed choice.
Here are some key things to keep in mind:
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Look for the THR mark – this shows the product meets UK quality and safety standards (although this doesn’t prove it works).
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Buy from reputable retailers – avoid products from unknown sellers or websites, particularly those based outside the UK.
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Check the ingredients and dose – make sure you know exactly what’s in the product and avoid remedies that don’t clearly list their ingredients or dosage.
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Research the evidence – look for reliable sources such as Patient.info or MHRA to to find out whether there’s good scientific evidence that the herbal medicine works for your condition.
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Follow the recommended dose – don’t take more than advised as it won’t make a herbal medicine more effective and may increase the risk of side effects.
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Check for drug interactions – some herbal medicines can interact with prescription medicines, always check with your doctor or use an online drug interaction checker before taking herbal medicines.
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Be cautious if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or have a long-term health condition – some herbal medicines aren’t suitable in these situations, so seek medical advice before taking them.
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Stop taking it if you have side effects – seek medical advice if symptoms are severe.
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Be wary of exaggerated claims – if a herbal medicine promises to “cure” multiple conditions or offers guaranteed results, it’s unlikely to be supported by good-quality evidence.
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Remember that natural doesn’t always mean safe.
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Some herbal medicines may help treat the symptoms of certain health conditions, but the evidence varies between remedies.
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Their effectiveness depends on the individual medicine, the condition being treated, and the quality of the research behind it.
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Herbal medicines can cause side effects and may interact with prescription medicines. Always check with your doctor, pharmacist or a drug interaction checker before taking them.
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They should not replace conventional treatments for serious or long-term health conditions without medical advice.
