Are Herbal Remedies Safe For Me To Take?

Herbal remedies can offer gentle, effective support for many health concerns, that said, “natural” doesn’t always mean risk-free. Like conventional medicines, herbs have active compounds that affect the body. Their safety depends on how they’re used, who’s using them and other treatments being used. Interactions can occur between herbs and prescription medications. At my clinic, I take great care to match herbal prescriptions to your individual needs. This ensures they’re safe, effective and aligned with other treatments you may be receiving. Always speak to a qualified medical herbalist before starting a new remedy, especially if you're taking other medications or preparing for surgery.

Is Herbal Medicine Regulated in The UK?

Over-the-counter herbal products must meet specific safety and quality standards under the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) scheme. These are overseen by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency MHRA. While herbal practitioners aren’t statutorily regulated, many, like myself, are accredited and follow rigorous clinical and ethical standards to ensure safe, personalised care. National Institute of Medical Herbalists

What’s the Difference Between Herbal Medicine and Homeopathy?

While both herbal medicine and homeopathy are natural approaches to healing, they differ in philosophy, preparation and how they work in the body. Herbal medicine uses whole plants or plant extracts such as leaves, roots, flowers or seeds to support health and treat illness. These remedies contain measurable levels of active compounds that interact with the body’s systems. Think of chamomile for calming nerves, or ginger for digestion. Herbalists tailor combinations of herbs based on your unique constitution, symptoms and medical history. Homeopathy, on the other hand, is based on the principle of “like cures like.” It uses diluted substances, from plants, minerals, or animal sources, to stimulate the body’s natural healing response. Remedies are often so diluted that no molecules of the original substance remain, and they’re typically taken as small pellets or drops. Homeopathy focuses on energetic patterns and symptom matching, rather than biochemical action.