Herbal medicines are used by billions of people worldwide, but not all countries check their quality the same way. Researchers compared how six countries—France, Peru, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali—make sure herbal products are safe and effective. They found that wealthy countries like France struggle with too many products to check, while African countries lack the money and equipment to test medicines properly. Peru had success after creating rules in 1997 but faced problems when trade agreements required stricter standards. The study suggests that all countries need better training, shared testing facilities, and cooperation between traditional healers and modern doctors to keep people safe.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different countries around the world make rules about herbal medicines and check if they’re safe and real before people can buy them
  • Who participated: Researchers looked at rules and practices in six countries: France, Peru, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali. They interviewed experts from health organizations and reviewed government documents and product databases
  • Key finding: Each country handles herbal medicine safety very differently. Rich countries like France have trouble checking all their products, poor African countries don’t have enough money or labs to test medicines, and Peru’s herbal business grew then shrank when international trade rules got stricter
  • What it means for you: If you use herbal medicines, the safety checks depend on where you live. The study suggests countries need to work together and share testing resources to make sure all herbal products are actually safe and contain what they claim

The Research Details

This research compared how six countries manage herbal medicine safety. The researchers gathered information from World Health Organization guidelines, national laws, government product registration databases, and market information. They also interviewed experts from health organizations in each country to understand real-world practices. This approach, called comparative analysis, lets researchers see what works well in one place and what problems exist in another. By studying countries at different wealth levels—from France (very wealthy) to West African nations (less wealthy)—they could identify patterns in how money and resources affect medicine safety.

Understanding how different countries handle herbal medicine safety is important because billions of people use these products. If we know what works and what doesn’t, countries can learn from each other and create better systems. This helps protect people from fake or dangerous products while still allowing access to traditional medicines that have helped people for thousands of years.

This study is a comparison of existing rules and practices rather than a laboratory experiment. The researchers used official documents and expert interviews, which are reliable sources. However, the study doesn’t test actual herbal products or measure real-world safety outcomes. It’s more like a report card on how well different countries are organized rather than proof that one system is definitely better than another. The findings are based on what experts said and what laws say, not on testing products themselves.

What the Results Show

West African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali) face major challenges. They have rules about herbal medicines on paper, but they struggle to enforce them because they don’t have enough money, trained workers, or testing laboratories. Many herbal products are sold without proper checking, and there’s limited research to prove they work safely.

Peru had an interesting story. After creating strict rules in 1997, herbal medicine production boomed, especially for Amazonian plants. The country became famous worldwide for these products. However, when Peru signed a free trade agreement with the United States in 2009, the U.S. required stricter quality standards. This made it harder and more expensive for Peruvian companies to sell their products, so production declined.

France represents a different problem. It has excellent rules and testing systems, but there are so many dietary supplements and herbal products on the market that it’s hard to check them all. The sheer volume makes quality control challenging even with good resources.

All six countries showed that herbal medicine regulation is complicated. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution because each country has different resources, traditions, and markets.

The study found that traditional knowledge about herbal medicines isn’t always connected to modern scientific testing. In many places, traditional healers and modern doctors don’t work together, which means valuable information gets lost. The chemical makeup of herbal plants varies depending on where they’re grown, the season, and how they’re prepared, making it hard to guarantee consistent quality. Countries that invested in shared research facilities and training programs did better at managing these challenges.

Previous research has shown that herbal medicines are important in healthcare worldwide, but quality control has always been a problem. This study adds new information by directly comparing how different countries actually handle this challenge. It confirms what experts suspected: wealthy countries have better resources but still struggle with volume, while poorer countries want to regulate but lack the tools. The Peru example is particularly interesting because it shows how international trade rules can affect local herbal medicine industries.

This study looked at rules and practices on paper and what experts said, but didn’t actually test herbal products to see if they’re safe or effective. The researchers couldn’t measure how well the rules actually protect people in real life. The study also focused on only six countries, so the findings might not apply everywhere. Additionally, the herbal medicine market changes quickly, so some information might become outdated. Finally, the researchers relied on interviews with experts, and different experts might have different opinions about what’s working well.

The Bottom Line

If you use herbal medicines, be aware that safety checking varies greatly depending on where you live. In countries with strong regulations (like France), products are more likely to be tested. In countries with weaker enforcement, be more cautious. Look for products that show they’ve been registered with government health agencies. Consider talking to both a traditional healer and a modern doctor about what you’re taking. Support efforts in your country to improve herbal medicine testing and safety. These recommendations are based on the study’s findings but should be combined with advice from your own healthcare provider.

Anyone who uses herbal medicines or supplements should care about this research. People in developing countries should especially pay attention because they have fewer protections. Healthcare workers, government officials, and herbal medicine companies should use these findings to improve their systems. Traditional healers and modern doctors should both care because better regulation helps everyone. People interested in international health and fair trade should also find this relevant.

Changes won’t happen overnight. If countries follow the study’s recommendations, it could take 2-5 years to set up better testing systems and training programs. Seeing real improvements in product safety might take even longer—perhaps 5-10 years—as new systems get established and enforced. Some countries might move faster than others depending on their resources and commitment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track which herbal products you use, where they’re from, and whether they’re registered with your country’s health agency. Note any effects you notice (positive or negative) and share this information with your doctor
  • Before buying an herbal product, check if it’s officially registered in your country. Look for products that list their country of origin and show they’ve passed quality checks. Keep a photo of the label and store information for your health records
  • Maintain a long-term log of herbal products used, their sources, batch numbers, and any health changes. Share this with healthcare providers at each visit. Over time, this helps identify which products seem safe and effective for you personally

This research is a comparison of herbal medicine regulations and doesn’t test the safety or effectiveness of specific herbal products. It should not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider. Before using any herbal medicine, especially if you take other medications or have health conditions, consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The quality and safety of herbal products depend on where you buy them and your country’s regulations. This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.