Buying Good Quality Herbal Products

Having a THR (Traditional Herbal Registration) logo on your herbal tablets ensures good quality. Back in the 1990s there was continuing evidence of low grade, and, sometimes, dangerous unlicensed herbal products on sale in the UK. These lacked any product information – not even an indication for what condition to use them for - so consumers were not made aware of potential interactions with other medicines, side effects or if it was safe for children or pregnant women. In 2004, the THR scheme was introduced throughout the EU and, although complying with its stringent requirements has been a steep learning curve and a costly exercise for manufacturers, we now have reassurance that products on sale with a THR logo are of good quality.

The THR scheme has been a great success and will continue to be in place whatever Brexit throws at us! Standards for safety, quality and reliable patient information are key requirements, and agreed medicinal claims are allowed on the label of the final product. However, indications for use are only allowed to include minor, self-limiting conditions, which are appropriate for self-care. Of course, professional prescribing by herbal practitioners of these same herbs may go well beyond these indications.

Although granting a THR is dependent on a history of use of a herb and not on research evidence of its efficacy, that does not mean that there is no scientific evidence for its health benefits. While there will be at least some evidence from laboratory studies for all herbs with a THR, for many of the key herbs there is also clinical trial data, which I am trying to highlight in these Friday blogs. If you are thinking of buying a herbal product over-the-counter, make sure it has a THR logo! (You can find more information about THR herbals via the BHMA's website.)


Ann Walker PhD, FCPP, MNIMH, RNutr
Course Director DHM
Herbal Practitioner