BEING healthy is in at the moment. Sales of herbal infusions are on the up, while the consumption of traditional tea has fallen by one third in five years.

But although this may be good news for health store owners, how safe are the remedies we buy?

They have been used for therapeutic reasons for many years and the wide range of herbal medicines available demonstrate their popularity.

It is only in the past five years that experts have become sceptical about some ingredients and their benefits.

The majority of drink concoctions found in health shops are relatively safe as long as they are taken in moderation.

They contain natural ingredients, usually of high quality, and if sold in tea-bag form, are formulated to a safe level for drinkers.

But research by the consumer magazine Which? Health, showed certain herbal supplements are more harmful than we realise.

For example, raspberry leaf tea, recommended for pregnant women, is often used as a uterine stimulant and a cleansing diuretic.

Complementary medicine expert, Professor Edzard Ernst of Exeter University, warned of the dangers.

"There is insufficient, convincing evidence to confirm raspberry leaf tea doesn't affect the baby, so until more research is done, women should be wary of drinking too much," he said.

Expectant mothers are warned against taking high doses of the tea in the early stages of pregnancy as it can stimulate the uterus, with the risk of harming the baby.

Another example is St John's Wort, traditionally used as an anti-depressant, which can have dramatic adverse effects when taken with other medicines.

It reacts badly with some anti-depressants, anti-HIV drugs, blood-thinning medicines, oral contraceptives, treatments for migraine, asthma and drugs that suppress the immune system.

There have also been various scare stories about Chinese herbal formulations.

The Which? Health team uncovered several traditional medicines containing steroids, that had possible side effects when used externally, including bruising and thinning of the skin.

And if absorbed, they can make a person more vulnerable to infections.

Unlike conventional medicines, herbal remedies are not tested for their safety, efficacy or quality before they are put on the shelves.

Last month, the Medical Control Agency (MCA) began proposals to improve the quality and safety standards of Chinese medicines.

This action followed various cases in the past two years, including two cases of renal failure in the UK in 1999, associated with the chemical aristolochia.

This ingredient is said to be a possible cause of cancer.

Many popular herbal remedies found in stores around the country can have possible side effects.

Herbs like camomile, used for digestive weakness, to alleviate stress and to induce rest, can induce an allergic reaction.

And dandelions, which are frequently used to reduce water retention because of their high diuretical minerals, could have the same effect and must not be taken if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Garlic, used to lower cholesterol, is thought to interact with and increase the effects of anticoagulant drugs, including heparin and warfarin and coumarin.

But before you panic, it is not all bad news.

Certain types of tea are good for you, in particular green tea which has been shown to have beneficial effects on the body.

Research carried out by Japanese scientists showed green tea is a rich source of polyphenols, containing flavonoid substances which are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants.

The daily consumption of green tea can lower and prevent high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

There is also evidence that drinking more than five cups of green tea a day will reduce the incidence of both strokes and heart attacks.

Therapeutic herbal medicines do not affect everyone in the same way and most people will most likely not have a bad reaction to them.

But campaigners believe there should be warnings on the packaging, informing consumers of possible side-effects.

Some herbal supplements will not need warnings while others should have a compulsory advisory note.

To put it simply, consumers should follow simple guidelines before taking any herbal supplement.

Trudy Norris, an information officer with the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and a qualified herbalist, herself, advises anybody taking prescribed medication or who is suffering from a chronic health complaint to consult a qualified herbalist (someone with the title MNIMH).

In addition, if you are taking conventional medicine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you experience any adverse effects from any herbal infusions, contact your family GP.

For a list of qualified herbalists, contact The National Institute of Medical Herbalists, 56 Longbrook Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6AH.

You can also contact the Institute on 01392 426022 or check out its website on www.btinternet.com/nimh/