Blood clots: Herbal supplements could increase risk of bleeding

Nonetheless, herbal medicines should be “used with the same care and respect as conventional medicines”, says the NHS.

“If you’re consulting your doctor or pharmacist about health matters, or are about to undergo surgery, always tell them about any herbal medicines you’re taking.”

If you’re taking, or plan to take, any herbal medicines, it says to be aware of the following:

• They may cause problems if you’re taking other medicines. They could make the other medicine less effective or cause the other medicine to trigger unexpected side effects.
• You may experience a bad reaction or side effects after taking herbal medicine.
• Not all herbal medicines are regulated. Remedies specially prepared for individuals don’t need a licence, and those manufactured outside the UK may not be subject to regulation.
• Evidence for the effectiveness of herbal medicines is generally very limited. Although some people find them helpful, in many cases their use tends to be based on traditional use rather than scientific research.

“Certain groups of people should be particularly wary of taking herbal medicines.”