Is ashwagandha (ginseng) allowed in the UK and US?

Is ashwagandha (ginseng) allowed in the UK and US? - Brown Dragon Statue in White Background

Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) is a herbal product I regularly use. I will be travelling (only transiting) via London and then USA on my way to Peru soon. Does anyone know if this is banned/illegal in UK and USA? Can my bag be held up if this is found?



Best Answer

First of all, to quote Wikipedia "there is no conclusive clinical evidence that it is effective for treating any ailment" and it's completely unregulated.

USA: Can I travel with non-prescription medicines, or other products such as vitamins and health supplements?

Non-prescription medicines (also known as over-the-counter or OTC medicines), vitamins, herbs, and supplement products fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In general FDA will not object to the personal importation of those products, as long as:

  • The traveler is carrying the products in their possession (or in their luggage);

  • The amount being carried is an amount reasonably considered for personal use.

How do airports differentiate supplements from drugs? is at interesting on this topic.

The UK is harder but if you review Personal food, plant and animal product imports there's nothing in there that would limit you so the final exemption would apply: any other food product not containing any fresh or processed meat or dairy and with less than 50% of processed egg or fishery products.




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What herbs are banned in the UK?

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Is Blue Lotus illegal in the UK?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) labels the flower as poisonous, yet doesn't classify it as a controlled substance. This means that you can legally purchase blue lotus teas, incense, and oils. It's legal in most countries except for Poland, Russia, and Latvia ( 1 , 13).

Is Comfrey banned in UK?

Comfrey is currently under restriction in the UK. However, comfrey-based products (free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids or with a reduced pyrrolizidine alkaloids concentration) in semi-solid forms (creams, ointments), including homeopathic preparations, can be purchased over-the-counter for topical use.



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