Does herbal medicine really work?

What are herbal medicines?

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.

Does herbal medicine actually work?

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:

• St John's wort - may improve symptoms of mild to moderate depression.¹

• Ginger - may help relieve nausea, including morning sickness during pregnancy and nausea caused by chemotherapy.^{2 3}

• Peppermint oil - may help relieve IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.⁴

• Turmeric - may help reduce pain and improve physical function in people with osteoarthritis.⁵

• Ashwagandha - may help reduce stress and anxiety in some people.⁶

• Echinacea - may help prevent and reduce cold symptoms in some people.⁷

• Ginkgo biloba - may provide a small improvement in symptoms for some people with dementia.⁸

• Red clover - may help some menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.⁹

• Valerian root - may improve sleep quality in some people with insomnia.¹⁰

• Rosehip extract - may reduce osteoarthritis pain and stiffness.¹¹

Is herbal medicine safe?

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 herbal medicine interact with prescription medicine?

Some herbal medicines can interact with prescription medicines, making them less effective or increasing the risk of side effects.

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.

Should you choose herbal medicine instead of conventional medicine?

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.

How to choose herbal medicine safely

Before trying a herbal medicine, consider the following tips to help reduce your risk of side effects and make an informed choice.

Summary

• Some herbal medicines may help treat the symptoms of certain health conditions, but the evidence varies between remedies.

• Their effectiveness depends on the individual medicine, the condition being treated, and the quality of the research behind it.

• 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.

• They should not replace conventional treatments for serious or long-term health conditions without medical advice.