Every year thousands are spent on it and 20 per cent of the population use a herbal medicinal product at least once a year.
Some people simply prefer natural products to conventional medicine or have found prescribed medication hasn't helped them. Others don't have time to get a prescription from a GP so look for an alternative solution to their ailment.
Whatever the reason there's no doubt many people find herbal medicine effective in helping to cure or prevent illnesses.
But while traditional remedies can be safer than a lot of conventional therapy, there's concern that people are far more willing to prescribe themselves high doses of herbal treatments - with little thought to how safe these might be.
Professor Peter Houghton, of King's College London, is concerned about people's relaxed attitude to herbal medicine: "Nothing in life is completely safe, and there's a myth that because something is natural it must be safe.
"Over the last 25 years herbal medicines have assumed a much greater part of self-medication.
"A lot of herbal medicines have not been subjected to any clinical trials and there's much material marketed of unknown quality. Many people take herbal products without realising the risks involved if they are used without consulting health professionals."
Before taking herbal medicines, people should seek guidance from a herbalist or their GP, especially if they're already taking a conventional medicine, breast feeding, or pregnant.
The key things people need to do if they're going to take a herbal medicine is make sure they've correctly diagnosed what's wrong with them in the first place. Indigestion can be confused with heart burn or angina.
People and their health problems are very subtle and individual, so don't just take what your friend or neighbour said worked for them but find out exactly what's best for you.
Since herbalists believe the best way to treat a problem is to deal with the whole body, don't assume the most obvious herbal treatment is always the right one.
Trudy Norris, of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, believes there's little danger as long as people are sensible.
"Herbal medicines are given a bad press, often by doctors who know little about them, but they are safe and we are very careful about the information we give out on them," she says.
Popular supplements
ST JOHN'S WORT
Used for centuries to help people with mild depression, it can be particularly effective for people with seasonal affective disorder, explaining why it's often refererd to as nature's Prozac. It's believed to help increase levels of serotonin in the brain, making people feel happier.
Possible side effects: Can interfere with several prescription medicines. Women on the contraceptive pill, and anyone who's recently had a transplant, is on tablets to treat epilepsy or on warfarin are advised not to take it. It's also unsuitable for people who are HIV Positive
GINSENG
A Chinese herb renowned for its stimulating effect. Can improve the body's tolerance to stress and is also an aphrodisiac. It's a natural source of steroids so it can boost people's immunity and mental performance.
Possible side effects: Studies have found ginseng (with the exception of Siberian ginseng, which isn't in the same family as other ginseng plants) can affect the development of foetuses and also interferes with warfarin's effectiveness.
ECHINACEA
Believed to increase the production of white blood cells so it can be effective in fighting viruses, bacteria and infections. It's often used to boost the immune system during winter and also as a treatment for herpes and various other infectious diseases.
Possible side effects: Can be harmful to people who are HIV positive as the echinacea may stimulate replication of the virus as well as blood cells. It may cause nausea and dizziness in some people.
EPHEDRA
Also known as ma huang - used to help alleviate symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, breathlessness and allergies.
Possible side effects: Can increase the blood pressure and heart rate. Also believed to stimulate the central nervous system which can cause nervousness and insomnia.
Some people simply prefer natural products to conventional medicine or have found prescribed medication hasn't helped them. Others don't have time to get a prescription from a GP so look for an alternative solution to their ailment.
Whatever the reason there's no doubt many people find herbal medicine effective in helping to cure or prevent illnesses.
But while traditional remedies can be safer than a lot of conventional therapy, there's concern that people are far more willing to prescribe themselves high doses of herbal treatments - with little thought to how safe these might be.
Professor Peter Houghton, of King's College London, is concerned about people's relaxed attitude to herbal medicine: "Nothing in life is completely safe, and there's a myth that because something is natural it must be safe.
"Over the last 25 years herbal medicines have assumed a much greater part of self-medication.
"A lot of herbal medicines have not been subjected to any clinical trials and there's much material marketed of unknown quality. Many people take herbal products without realising the risks involved if they are used without consulting health professionals."
Before taking herbal medicines, people should seek guidance from a herbalist or their GP, especially if they're already taking a conventional medicine, breast feeding, or pregnant.
The key things people need to do if they're going to take a herbal medicine is make sure they've correctly diagnosed what's wrong with them in the first place. Indigestion can be confused with heart burn or angina.
People and their health problems are very subtle and individual, so don't just take what your friend or neighbour said worked for them but find out exactly what's best for you.
Since herbalists believe the best way to treat a problem is to deal with the whole body, don't assume the most obvious herbal treatment is always the right one.
Trudy Norris, of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, believes there's little danger as long as people are sensible.
"Herbal medicines are given a bad press, often by doctors who know little about them, but they are safe and we are very careful about the information we give out on them," she says.
Popular supplements
ST JOHN'S WORT
Used for centuries to help people with mild depression, it can be particularly effective for people with seasonal affective disorder, explaining why it's often refererd to as nature's Prozac. It's believed to help increase levels of serotonin in the brain, making people feel happier.
Possible side effects: Can interfere with several prescription medicines. Women on the contraceptive pill, and anyone who's recently had a transplant, is on tablets to treat epilepsy or on warfarin are advised not to take it. It's also unsuitable for people who are HIV Positive
GINSENG
A Chinese herb renowned for its stimulating effect. Can improve the body's tolerance to stress and is also an aphrodisiac. It's a natural source of steroids so it can boost people's immunity and mental performance.
Possible side effects: Studies have found ginseng (with the exception of Siberian ginseng, which isn't in the same family as other ginseng plants) can affect the development of foetuses and also interferes with warfarin's effectiveness.
ECHINACEA
Believed to increase the production of white blood cells so it can be effective in fighting viruses, bacteria and infections. It's often used to boost the immune system during winter and also as a treatment for herpes and various other infectious diseases.
Possible side effects: Can be harmful to people who are HIV positive as the echinacea may stimulate replication of the virus as well as blood cells. It may cause nausea and dizziness in some people.
EPHEDRA
Also known as ma huang - used to help alleviate symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, breathlessness and allergies.
Possible side effects: Can increase the blood pressure and heart rate. Also believed to stimulate the central nervous system which can cause nervousness and insomnia.