New rules by European Union have banned many remedies based on herbs. The main aim of these rules is to protect consumers from side-effects of over-the-counter purchase of medicines.

According to EU, only quality –controlled herbs will be available now for sale. It has passed fears among many practitioners and they feel their business will be hampered a lot.

The 1968 medicines act allows only few herbs to be sold. But According to surveys, the use of herbal medicines is growing since 2 years and most of the herbal medicines are purchased without prescription from pharmacies and health food centers.

All widely used products including valerian, St John’s Wort ,Echinacea, and Chinese and Indian medicines will be regulated by new rule. Now onwards, only those herbs that have been properly tested by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will be permitted for sale.

All manufacturers dealing in herbs will have to ensure that their products are strictly according to standards. To be designated as a ‘traditional medicine’, product should be in use for past 30 years.