I have received a worrying notification from the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, regarding the quality and safety standards of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs).

This states that the Medicines Control Agency "continues to find potentially dangerous and illegal ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines, including mercury and arsenic compounds and prescription only steroids. There have been repeated instances, often involving skin preparations."

The chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines said: "There is clear evidence that standards used in the production of some TCMs on the UK market are at best, unreliable and we are unable to give the public any general assurances as to their safety."

Many Chinese "herbal" medicines also contain animal parts.

Chinese herbal medicine has secured much publicity for its success with difficult skin conditions. However, it was found that the creams that were being used contained steroid drugs. It should be pointed out that this is not illegal in China as doctors there are happy to prescribe medicines containing both herbs and drugs.

Western herbalists, such as myself, who are qualified with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, do not use animal parts as ingredients of herbal medicines. Neither will you find mercury or any other toxic metal in my medicines.

Most of the ingredients of the herbal medicines that I prescribe are grown organically and come from a certified organic farm in England. Some herbs that are more difficult to obtain undergo pharmacognosy and quality control testing before they are accepted for use.