According to an article in El Periodico, the Spanish Ministry of Health has issued a royal decree banning 151 herbs from sale in pharmacies and herbal shops. The government said the herbs had potential toxic effects and were being used on a primarily recreational basis. The herbs can still be used in pharmaceutical and homeopathic medicines, but no longer are suitable for supplements. The list originally contained more than 200 herbs and was developed as part of Spain’s plans to align its rules with those of other European Union countries.

—Health Strategy Consulting Newsletter, 1/5/04