Reporting a Problem With a Chinese Herbal Product or Treatment
How to report a harmful reaction to a Chinese herbal product or treatment in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, and what to do first if you are unwell.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
If you are unwell, get care first
Reporting comes second. If someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain, signs of stroke, or is unconscious, call 911 in the US. For a possible poisoning in the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24 hours a day. [1] See Poisoning: what to do first, Poison help by country and Warning signs after Chinese herbs. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every product you took.Why report
FDA says it does not approve dietary supplements before they are sold, so reports from consumers and clinicians help it evaluate the marketplace and act on possibly unsafe products. [2] Reports also help catch problems that are not obvious from one person's case. A report is not a diagnosis and does not need proof the product caused the problem.United States
| What happened | Where FDA says to report | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Serious reaction to a dietary supplement (including herbs) | FDA's Safety Reporting Portal | FDA says to stop using the product and fill out a report; you can report as a guest [2] |
| Problem with a medicine, device, cosmetic or other FDA-regulated product | MedWatch | FDA's program for health professionals, patients and consumers [3] |
| Poisoning emergency | Poison Help 1-800-222-1222 | Not an FDA report; it is for urgent advice [1] |
For supplements, the portal asks you to choose "Start a new report" and then "A private citizen, business or veterinary provider submitting a voluntary report," and to give as much information as you can. [2] FDA lists serious reactions that should prompt a report, including hives or throat swelling, chest pain, severe vomiting, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and stroke signs. [2] I did not read a MedWatch telephone number from FDA's own pages, so none is given here; use the FDA site. FDA also notes that other products such as tobacco and vaccines use different reporting pathways. [3]
United Kingdom
The MHRA's Yellow Card site says anyone can report an issue with a medicine, vaccine or medical device. [4] I could not confirm from the page how it treats herbal products, so ask your pharmacist if unsure.Canada
Health Canada says anyone can report a side effect to a health or cannabis product, and its reporting page has separate routes, including one for natural health products. [5]Other countries, and harm from a treatment
I could not read reporting routes for other countries, so check your national medicines regulator. If harm came from a practitioner's treatment rather than a product, such as a burn from moxibustion or an infection after cupping, tell the practitioner, see a doctor, and consider the regulator or licensing board. NCCIH says most US states regulate acupuncture practice. [6] General guidance: Reporting adverse events from therapies and practitioners and Side effects, allergic reactions and reporting.What helps a report
FDA asks for as much information as you can supply, and says even pieces of information can help identify dangerous products. [2] Useful details include the product name, how it was taken, dates, symptoms and medicines taken at the same time.Frequently asked questions
Where do I report a bad reaction to a Chinese herbal supplement in the US?
Through FDA's Safety Reporting Portal; FDA also says to stop using the product if you think it caused a serious reaction. [2]
Do I need proof the herb caused it?
No source requires proof. FDA wants reports of suspected serious reactions even with partial information. [2]
What if it is an emergency?
Call 911. For a possible poisoning in the US, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. [1]
Can I report in the UK or Canada?
Yes. The Yellow Card site accepts reports from anyone, and Health Canada says anyone can report a side effect. [4][5]
Does reporting replace seeing a doctor?
No. Seek care first for serious symptoms. FDA lists serious reactions such as chest pain, severe vomiting and yellowing of the skin. [2]
References
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). Contact us. Read 2026-10-22.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. How to Report a Problem with Dietary Supplements. Content current as of 03/13/2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Read 2026-10-22.
- MHRA. Yellow Card reporting site. Read 2026-10-22.
- Health Canada. Adverse reaction reporting. Read 2026-10-22 (via web fetch tool).
- NCCIH. Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.