Children should not be given a herb widely used to treat coughs and colds, British regulators warned yesterday.
There is a "low" risk of severe allergic reactions to echinacea when taken by children under the age of 12, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Products that have been labelled under the traditional herbal registration scheme are having their labelling up-dated, the MHRA said.
The MHRA said the potential benefits of treating children with echinacea are outweighed by the risks.
Richard Woodfield, of the MHRA, said: "This is not a serious safety issue, but parents and carers need to be aware that children under 12 could have a low risk of developing allergic reactions, such as rashes from oral echinacea products.
"The MHRA is working with the herbal sector to ensure that all oral echinacea products are re-labelled with a warning that they should not be given to children under 12. The measures being taken are precautionary in nature. Parents should not worry if they have given echinacea to children under 12 in the past.
"Anyone who has concerns should speak to their doctor, pharmacist or qualified healthcare practitioner."
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