Cervical cancer is caused by infection of specific types of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), such as HPV types 16 and 18 (HPV16 and HPV18). In high-risk HPV infections, continual activity of 2 early genes (E6 and E7) that are responsible for changing cells so that they tend to form tumours, is mainly dependent on the availability of an activator protein (AP-1). AP-1 plays a key role during development of cervical cancer.

Learn more here.

The law concerning the sale of herbal medicines is changing. From 30th April 2011 only herbal medicines that have product licenses will be allowed to be sold across the counter. All unlicensed medicines will only be allowed to be sold by prescription, after a consultation with a qualified herbal practitioner.

Learn more here.

The Health Benefits of Mushrooms

A series of articles about some of the research done into mushrooms both from a nutritional and a medicinal aspect.

The Government's broken promise on Statutory Regulation for Medical Herbalists

February 2013

In 2010 over 11,000 people told a government consultation that they wanted herbalists to be regulated. That they wanted to save their right to access herbal medicines. 

Where are we now?

In February 2011, the Secretary of State for Health announced that UK herbalists were to be statutorily regulated. He promised that, subject to the usual procedures, the Department of Health would have this ready by early Autumn 2012. 

Six months later, it hasn't happened and no one seems able to say when it will happen!

Statutory Regulation is urgently needed to preserve your access to herbal medicine. In 30 April 2011, the law about over the counter medicines changed and all herbal medicines are now supposed to have a THR licence. You'll have noticed that here at Napiers we can't sell you some of our 150 year old formulas any more. But we have gone a long way down the road of getting THR licences - making huge personal sacrifices to do so - because we passionately believe that you have a right to the medical treatment of your choice. 

ONE LAW CAME IN AS ONE LAW WENT OUT

Alongside the THR licensing law, Section 12 of the old Medicines Act was abolished. In short, this technically means that it is currently illegal for your herbalist to prescribe you a herbal medicine from their dispensary unless it has one of the few THR licences - wiping out your access to around 200 medicinal herbs.

Statutory Regulation will allow trained herbalists to continue to practice. They will be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council which regulates dentists, dieticians and physiotherapists. Only qualified herbalists will be allowed to call themselves herbalists - surely this is in the public interest?

Since then, the MHRA has let herbalists practice, assuming that Statutory Regulation was going to happen. Two years later the Department of Health has failed to publish the draft legislation and there is no sign of progress. The fear is that with many other priorities the DoH is just going to let the issue drop. 

SO WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HERBAL MEDICINE NOW?

For herbal medicine practitioners and their patients this is disastrous.

• Herbalists have lost the right to prescribe hundreds of commonly used herbal medicines so you may not be able to get the medicines you need 
• You have lost access to a wide range of herbal medicines available from herbalists for hundreds of years
• Your alternative choice of medical treatment could be lost forever
• Without regulation you are at risk from unqualified practitioners and substandard herbal medicines.
• For some people, especially those who experience adverse reactions to chemical drugs, this will cause misery and potential harm
• In short, statutory regulation is clearly in your interest! 

ASK YOUR MP WHY THE AGREED REGULATION HAS STALLED!

Please write, email or contact your MP as soon as possible and say that “ the only arrangement that meets my needs is for the Coalition Government to honour its promise and complete the Statutory Regulation of herbalists.” 

When you write to your MP, please also add your own personal reason for supporting Statutory Regulation (e.g. “I use herbal medicine” or “I find herbal medicine effective to treat many ailments”). In this way you personalise your reply and ensure it has maximum impact. 

In 2011, the Secretary of State declared that the decision to implement the statutory regulation of herbal practitioners marked ‘a significant milestone’. Please don’t delay – write in support of Statutory Regulation and make the Government honour its promise.

If you care about herbal medicine, please do not miss the opportunity to support this ancient and priceless healing system. 

Thank you very much for doing this. 

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MP

Click on this link and enter your postcode to get your MP's details.

Remember that even if you just drop them an email, they have to reply!

DUNCAN NAPIERS DREAM

Duncan Napier founded Napiers on 25th May 1860 " to provide an affordable choice of natural medicine for all people." Although we have moved on from leeches and mercury poisoning, there is still the need for herbal medicines.

Don't delay, write today!

It sounds silly doesn't it but many people don't really know what 'normal' bowel functions are. Ideally you should pass a bowel movement after each large meal or at least once a day. And what should they look like? 

One way of helping to determine this is to use the Bristol Stool Scale.

See this here.

This is the basis on which the Food Supplements Directive allows for a nutrient claim for a food or food supplement.

Learn more here.

Tai Chi has definite benefits in helping to control the pain of arthritis.

Learn more here.

A number of supplements are available to help support all aspects of digestive health.

Find out more here.

Supplements for Women's Health problems

Evening primrose oil is well researched. It is very rich in gamma linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid which helps to maintain hormonal health as well as promoting healthy skin, hair and nails. 

The most requested information about summer health is how to manage hay fever! Herbs are excellent helpers and there is more information here about using herbs to treat hay fever, however there are also many useful supplements too. Hay fever is a common, allergic condition. It occurs when the immune system responds to pollen as if it were a dangerous substance, invading the body. When pollen comes into contact with the cells on the lining of the eyes and nose, histamine gets released. This leads to inflammation, swelling and irritation in the form of cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. These symptoms occur to help the body rid itself of these ‘foreign’ substances. Unfortunately pollen is harmless: the body is acting unnecessarily.

Learn more here.

Optimum nutrition is essential if you are busy and stressed. Ideally you should gain your nutrition from nourishing foods, but this is not always possible, either due to the quality of food available, missing meals or the extra demands on your body. As well as the vitamins and minerals we suggested, you might also consider the following if your diet is not naturally rich in foods that contain them.

Learn more here.