We are encouraging all our customers to contact their MPs to sign the Early Day Motion currently before Parliament calling for the Statutory Regulation of Herbal Medicine:
http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2013-14/205
You can find out who your MP is by going to the website http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/ and typing in your postcode. This will give you the webpage for your MP which will include his or her e-mail address. Send your MP and e-mail asking them to sign the Early Day Motion.
Remember to feed back to us (by e-mail or the comments section of this blog) how you get on, so we can see publicly which MPs support herbal medicine and which do not.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Monday, 17 June 2013
Achieving consistency
We are often asked why we only offer two standard strengths for the majority of our medicines - 1:1 fluid extracts and 1:3 tinctures. We took the decision to standardise in this way because we know that many practitioners blend tinctures and fluid extracts, and having a standardised range makes blending much easier to calculate. Achieving consistency is of primary importance in manufacture of herbal medicines and therefore with a very few exceptions we maintain the 1:1 and 1:3 strengths rather than the confusing mixture of strengths offered by some manufacturers.
www.herbsinabottle.com
www.herbsinabottle.com
Friday, 14 June 2013
"Alternative supplies" are often unknown quantities
Herbs are products of the natural world, and as such they are subject to all the vagaries of nature. The rains can wash them away, the plants can be devoured by insects, the hot sun can shrivel them up. We look for growers who love their herbal crops, as these are usually the most reliable suppliers of good quality raw materials.
However from time to time shortages will occur.
For instance there was recently a shortage of echinacea due to the failure of the crop in north America.
When this happens manufacturers will start scouring the world for an alternative supply.
This can create risks for medical practitioners and ultimately their patients.
"Alternative supplies" are often unknown quantities. Many times we have looked for alternatives and found that the herbs are too contaminated - polluted water has been used for irrigation; they have been grown near factories pumping out air full of nasties; they are simply the wrong species and thus do not have the desired active constituents. Sometimes "alternative supplies" can come good, but most times they are unusable.
Therefore if there is a general shortage of a herb and "suddenly" one manufacturer has new batches of medicines for this herb you should be suspicious and start asking questions.
And remember the golden rule - only buy from GMP accredited companies (check the GMP licence on the MHRA website www.mhra.gov.uk using the searchbox for manufacturer's licences). Don't accept bland assurances that they "work to GMP standards". Insist on knowing the GMP licence number.
If the company is not GMP they could be selling you anything.
However from time to time shortages will occur.
For instance there was recently a shortage of echinacea due to the failure of the crop in north America.
When this happens manufacturers will start scouring the world for an alternative supply.
This can create risks for medical practitioners and ultimately their patients.
"Alternative supplies" are often unknown quantities. Many times we have looked for alternatives and found that the herbs are too contaminated - polluted water has been used for irrigation; they have been grown near factories pumping out air full of nasties; they are simply the wrong species and thus do not have the desired active constituents. Sometimes "alternative supplies" can come good, but most times they are unusable.
Therefore if there is a general shortage of a herb and "suddenly" one manufacturer has new batches of medicines for this herb you should be suspicious and start asking questions.
And remember the golden rule - only buy from GMP accredited companies (check the GMP licence on the MHRA website www.mhra.gov.uk using the searchbox for manufacturer's licences). Don't accept bland assurances that they "work to GMP standards". Insist on knowing the GMP licence number.
If the company is not GMP they could be selling you anything.
Thursday, 13 June 2013
The purity of the raw herbs
Although the growing conditions for herbs are of vital importance, one cannot assume that just because a plant looks healthy, has lush foliage and a scintillating fresh aroma that it is suitable to be used in herbal medicines.
It is essential that raw herbs are correctly tested for microbiologial contamination such as yeasts and moulds, e-coli and salmonella. They also need to be tested for contamination resulting from pollution such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic (especially important for herbs grown close to urban areas or arterial roads). In addition testing needs to be carried out to ensure that no extraneous plant material has been gathered up when harvesting the herbs, and this is of crucial importance when the herb concerned has a close relative that can be mistaken at first glance for the medicinal version of the plant.
The effectiveness of herbal medicines depends on the purity of the raw herbs used.
It is essential that raw herbs are correctly tested for microbiologial contamination such as yeasts and moulds, e-coli and salmonella. They also need to be tested for contamination resulting from pollution such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic (especially important for herbs grown close to urban areas or arterial roads). In addition testing needs to be carried out to ensure that no extraneous plant material has been gathered up when harvesting the herbs, and this is of crucial importance when the herb concerned has a close relative that can be mistaken at first glance for the medicinal version of the plant.
The effectiveness of herbal medicines depends on the purity of the raw herbs used.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Verbena Officinalis (Blue Vervain herb)
The tincture that is produced has a dark brown colour, usually clear (but can sometimes be slightly opaque), and with a characteristic liquid mobility.
As with all tinctures, sediments can occasionally form, but Verbena tincture is not known for sediment.
The smell is unique - both aromatic and penetrating. The taste has been described as "pleasantly bitter" (Verbena is used as a flavouring in liqueurs). Constituents have been identified as: alkoloids, choline, volatile oil, flavonoids.
Care should be taken in sourcing raw Verbena Officinalis to avoid hybrids.
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Reasons why you should sign the 38 degrees petition
Dear everyone
We need to ask for your support.
Please sign this petition:http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-practice-of-herbal-medicine-in-the-uk
However, we don't expect you to sign something without knowing why you're signing.
We need to ask for your support.
Please sign this petition:http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-practice-of-herbal-medicine-in-the-uk
However, we don't expect you to sign something without knowing why you're signing.
Read on to find out why - and if you feel you can, please share this with your friends.
In 2011, the then Health Secretary announced the introduction of Statutory Regulation for herbalists.
Since then we have been waiting for the legislation to be drawn up.
It now appears that the UK government is about to renege on this promise to introduce SR.
However, it seems that we can still do something about this.
What we can do is to show the government, just as we have done before, that the UK public wants to have access to herbal medicine, and supports the regulation of herbalists. We have heard that the government is watching this petition which is why I'm asking you to sign it, and to ask your friends to sign it. They will bow to pressure if they see that the UK public wants to ensure that herbal medicine is available as a choice in healthcare.
The practice of herbal medicine is unique in the UK - in some countries it is 'tolerated' and in others it is illegal. In 1941 during the Blitz, the practice of herbal medicine in the UK was made illegal, but a public outcry meant the law was never enacted. However it stayed on the statute books and the few herbalists who remained worked illegally until 1968. When thalidomide caused serious problems a new law was written, requiring pharmaceutical medicines to be licensed. Herbal medicines were exempted. A small clause in the 1968 Medicine's Act allows herbalists to practise. However there is no legal definition of what a herbalist is so anyone and everyone can call themselves a herbalist and practice. There is no distinction between someone with a degree and long hours of training, including clinical training, who is part of a professional organisation, does lifelong CPD, abides by a Code of Ethics and so on and someone who has looked up a few things in a book.
The EU harmonised medicine legislation across the EU in 2011 - all medicines had to have a licence. Unlicensed herbal medicines that have been used for at least 30 years could continue to be used, providing they are prescribed by an authorised healthcare provider - in other words qualified herbalists. The problem is that there is no legislation in place that considers what a herbalist is, in terms of authorised healthcare provider.
The second clause in the 1968 Medicine's Act relating to herbal medicines has already been removed by the above EU legislation and only licensed herbal products can be sold over the counter. Shops have been allowed to sell off existing stocks but once those stocks are gone the range and number of herbal medicines will be restricted. It will not be long before that applies to what herbalists do i.e. they will not be able to supply unlicensed medicines unless they have authorised healthcare status. This means, if you are one of their current patients, they will not be able to give you medicine any more. All of those bottles that you see on the shelves of herbal clinics will disappear, and herbalists will not be able to make up medicines specifically designed to help health problems. Essentially, this means the practice of herbal medicine as we know it now will become illegal. Herbalists will only be able to prescribe for you the medicines that you can find in shops.
There are all sorts of reasons why SR is important but the most important is public safety - having access to, as well as the freedom to chose, safe, effective advice and treatment from properly qualified professionals who are governed by a Code of Ethics is the most important. Making sure that choice is available for generations to come is another.
There are also lots of people tied up in the supply of herbal medicines - from growers, distributors, to delivery companies. This affects many people, and not just in the UK - many herbs are grown in poorer countries and are no small part of their economy. At a time when our economic situation is not good, we cannot afford to force more people into redundancy.
For herbalists there has been a system of voluntary regulation in the UK for almost 150 years. Bona fide, properly trained practitioners are members of a professional association, which operates a voluntary register. This means they are governed and abide by a Code of Ethics which ensures public safety. The key word is voluntary. Recent court cases where the public has suffered abuse, or mistreatment leading to harm, have all involved so-called practitioners who have limited or no training, are not part of any professional association, and are not bound by a Code of Ethics. Statutory Regulation will protect the public from these sorts of practitioners. Thankfully these cases have been few in number. Voluntary regulation does not protect the public because no-one is bound by law to join a professional register or meet the training and ethical standards needed to join that register, in order to be called, and practise as, a herbalist.
In 2011, the then Health Secretary announced the introduction of Statutory Regulation for herbalists.
Since then we have been waiting for the legislation to be drawn up.
It now appears that the UK government is about to renege on this promise to introduce SR.
However, it seems that we can still do something about this.
What we can do is to show the government, just as we have done before, that the UK public wants to have access to herbal medicine, and supports the regulation of herbalists. We have heard that the government is watching this petition which is why I'm asking you to sign it, and to ask your friends to sign it. They will bow to pressure if they see that the UK public wants to ensure that herbal medicine is available as a choice in healthcare.
The practice of herbal medicine is unique in the UK - in some countries it is 'tolerated' and in others it is illegal. In 1941 during the Blitz, the practice of herbal medicine in the UK was made illegal, but a public outcry meant the law was never enacted. However it stayed on the statute books and the few herbalists who remained worked illegally until 1968. When thalidomide caused serious problems a new law was written, requiring pharmaceutical medicines to be licensed. Herbal medicines were exempted. A small clause in the 1968 Medicine's Act allows herbalists to practise. However there is no legal definition of what a herbalist is so anyone and everyone can call themselves a herbalist and practice. There is no distinction between someone with a degree and long hours of training, including clinical training, who is part of a professional organisation, does lifelong CPD, abides by a Code of Ethics and so on and someone who has looked up a few things in a book.
The EU harmonised medicine legislation across the EU in 2011 - all medicines had to have a licence. Unlicensed herbal medicines that have been used for at least 30 years could continue to be used, providing they are prescribed by an authorised healthcare provider - in other words qualified herbalists. The problem is that there is no legislation in place that considers what a herbalist is, in terms of authorised healthcare provider.
The second clause in the 1968 Medicine's Act relating to herbal medicines has already been removed by the above EU legislation and only licensed herbal products can be sold over the counter. Shops have been allowed to sell off existing stocks but once those stocks are gone the range and number of herbal medicines will be restricted. It will not be long before that applies to what herbalists do i.e. they will not be able to supply unlicensed medicines unless they have authorised healthcare status. This means, if you are one of their current patients, they will not be able to give you medicine any more. All of those bottles that you see on the shelves of herbal clinics will disappear, and herbalists will not be able to make up medicines specifically designed to help health problems. Essentially, this means the practice of herbal medicine as we know it now will become illegal. Herbalists will only be able to prescribe for you the medicines that you can find in shops.
There are all sorts of reasons why SR is important but the most important is public safety - having access to, as well as the freedom to chose, safe, effective advice and treatment from properly qualified professionals who are governed by a Code of Ethics is the most important. Making sure that choice is available for generations to come is another.
There are also lots of people tied up in the supply of herbal medicines - from growers, distributors, to delivery companies. This affects many people, and not just in the UK - many herbs are grown in poorer countries and are no small part of their economy. At a time when our economic situation is not good, we cannot afford to force more people into redundancy.
For herbalists there has been a system of voluntary regulation in the UK for almost 150 years. Bona fide, properly trained practitioners are members of a professional association, which operates a voluntary register. This means they are governed and abide by a Code of Ethics which ensures public safety. The key word is voluntary. Recent court cases where the public has suffered abuse, or mistreatment leading to harm, have all involved so-called practitioners who have limited or no training, are not part of any professional association, and are not bound by a Code of Ethics. Statutory Regulation will protect the public from these sorts of practitioners. Thankfully these cases have been few in number. Voluntary regulation does not protect the public because no-one is bound by law to join a professional register or meet the training and ethical standards needed to join that register, in order to be called, and practise as, a herbalist.
Monday, 10 June 2013
Visitors welcome
Visitors to our Essendine facility are always welcome. There is lots to see here, and following very significant investment earlier this year we now have the most up-to-date herbal medicine production facilities in the country comprising blending suites, wet rooms, capsule and tabletting areas, herb storage, etc. Visitors are often astonished at the range and professionalism of our operations.
Because of the strict hygiene procedures we employ it is often difficult to accommodate single visitors, but groups are very welcome (minimum 8, maximum 25) - just contact sales@herbsinabottle.com and we will arrange things for you.
Tours usually include a short talk by our resident herbalist, a tour of the facilities which lasts approximately one hour, and a buffet lunch.
Because of the strict hygiene procedures we employ it is often difficult to accommodate single visitors, but groups are very welcome (minimum 8, maximum 25) - just contact sales@herbsinabottle.com and we will arrange things for you.
Tours usually include a short talk by our resident herbalist, a tour of the facilities which lasts approximately one hour, and a buffet lunch.
Friday, 7 June 2013
Planning a new catalogue
We are planning a new catalogue for autumn this year.
Are there any new herbs you wish us to stock? As long as we can predict demand for 25kg of raw herb per year (processed into tinctures, fluid extracts and powders) we are always willing to consider new medicines to add to our portfolio. Do also please give us feedback on any other aspect of our catalogue we need to address.
Just e-mail us on sales@herbsinabottle.com
Are there any new herbs you wish us to stock? As long as we can predict demand for 25kg of raw herb per year (processed into tinctures, fluid extracts and powders) we are always willing to consider new medicines to add to our portfolio. Do also please give us feedback on any other aspect of our catalogue we need to address.
Just e-mail us on sales@herbsinabottle.com
Thursday, 6 June 2013
E-petitions for Statutory Regulation of medical herbalists
There are two e-mail petitions we urgently ask you to sign:
38 Degrees http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-practice-of-herbal-medicine-in-the-uk
Avaaz http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Dan_Poulter_save_the_practice_of_herbal_medicine_in_the_UK
Can you please ask your family, friends and neighbours to sign - otherwise we may lose access to herbal medicine in the United Kingdom.
38 Degrees http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-practice-of-herbal-medicine-in-the-uk
Avaaz http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/Dan_Poulter_save_the_practice_of_herbal_medicine_in_the_UK
Can you please ask your family, friends and neighbours to sign - otherwise we may lose access to herbal medicine in the United Kingdom.
Come and see Herbs In A Bottle at HerbFest
Katie Dobiesz and Sue Pearce will be representing Herbs in a Bottle at HerbFest from 12th to 14th of July.
Held at Croydon Hall on Exmoor in Somerset HerbFest is a "herbal house party" that includes herb walks, talks by distinguished herbalists and relaxing conversation about herbs and healing.
If you are at HerbFest do stop by the Herbs in a Bottle stand - we will have samples to give away of Galium aperine tincture, Urtica dioica tincture and Scrophularia nodosa tincture, tastings of other tinctures, and you'll be able to ask Katie and Sue about our products and collect a copy of our catalogue.
Held at Croydon Hall on Exmoor in Somerset HerbFest is a "herbal house party" that includes herb walks, talks by distinguished herbalists and relaxing conversation about herbs and healing.
If you are at HerbFest do stop by the Herbs in a Bottle stand - we will have samples to give away of Galium aperine tincture, Urtica dioica tincture and Scrophularia nodosa tincture, tastings of other tinctures, and you'll be able to ask Katie and Sue about our products and collect a copy of our catalogue.
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