Herbal slimming products warning

Muddled and potentially harmful advice is being given to patients offered Chinese herbal slimming remedies, according to a television report to be broadcast tonight. Herbal doctors are prescribing herbal remedies to help weight loss but admit they have no nutritional qualifications to back up their claim, said BBC2's Food and Drink programme.

Dr Nick Finer, an endocrinologist at Luton and Dunstable Hospital, who specialises in treating obesity, said: "There's no evidence herbs help weight loss. The advice available is unscientific, muddled and may even be harmful. Beware of miracle claims about herbs because they are not medically backed up." The National Poisons Unit at Guy's Hospital in London, has recorded 21 poisonings over the last five years, and two deaths attributed to herbal remedies.