Medical disclaimer
Healthy and Herbal is educational information about the research on natural remedies. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, and it doesn't replace a conversation with a pharmacist, doctor or other qualified professional who knows your health.
Talk to a professional first if you
- take any prescription medicine, including the contraceptive pill, blood thinners, antidepressants, and diabetes, blood pressure, thyroid or epilepsy medication;
- are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding;
- are buying for a child;
- have liver or kidney disease, a bleeding disorder, or a long-term condition;
- have an operation or dental procedure coming up.
Never stop or change a prescribed treatment
Nothing on this site is a reason to stop, reduce or delay a medicine or treatment you've been prescribed. If you want to try a natural remedy alongside one, ask the person who prescribed it.
What our ratings mean, and don't
Our evidence ratings describe how good the research is for one use of one form of an ingredient. They are not a recommendation, not a safety rating, and not a guarantee that a product you buy contains what was tested. Supplements are not tested before sale the way medicines are, and products vary in strength and purity.
An interaction that isn't in our checker isn't proof that a combination is safe: it may simply not have been studied.
Pages still awaiting clinical review
Every page is researched from cited sources, but pages marked "Awaiting clinical review" have not yet been checked by a pharmacist or clinician. Read them with that in mind.
Get help
If you feel unwell after taking a remedy, stop taking it and speak to a pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111. Call 999 for chest pain, difficulty breathing, a severe allergic reaction, or signs of a stroke. If you're struggling with your mental health and feel you might harm yourself, call 999 or Samaritans free on 116 123, any time.
We work to keep every page accurate and up to date, but research changes and mistakes happen. We can't accept liability for decisions made using this information. Found an error? Tell us through the corrections log.