Risks of buying herbal medicines online or by mail order

The risks of obtaining fake, substandard, unlicensed or contaminated medicines are increased by buying medicines online or by mail order.

Unlicensed herbal medicines manufactured outside the UK may not be subject to regulation. They may be copies of licensed medicines, but made in unlicensed factories with no quality control.

Some websites may appear to be legitimate, but are fronted by bogus doctors or pharmacists.

Herbal products sold online may also contain banned ingredients and toxic substances. You can find a list of banned and restricted herbal ingredients on the GOV.UK website.

Herbal slimming products and sexual health products, for example, are best avoided because they have been found to contain dangerous ingredients, including pharmaceutical ingredients, which arent stated on the label.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018