Retailers angry at echinacea warning

Health shops have queried a warning by the Irish Medicines Board warning parents not to give herbal products containing echinacea to children under the age of 12.

The IMB said there was a “lack of scientific data” for giving such products to children and asked retailers to ensure children’s products containing echinacea are removed from sale.

Herbal products on the Irish market were previously unregulated but the introduction of the European Herbal Medicines Directive last year prompted a review.