"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.