Can I take several herbal remedies together?
Yes, it is absolutely fine to take them together if they are for the same condition. If they are for different conditions take them at different time intervals; e.g. one before a meal and one after a meal.
For example, you could take Seven Seeds (2 capsules) before a meal to strengthen digestion and regulate the nervous system, then take Brahmi Plus (2 caps) after a meal to nourish the mind and Triphala (3 caps) at night because it’s a good idea! Depending on the season you can use Ashwagandha, Chywanaprash, Aloe Vera Juice or Neem as well.
Can I take these herbs alongside other holistic treatments e.g. homeopathic, other herbs, herbs from my herbalist, nutritional supplements?
1) Homeopathy: Yes, but inform your homeopath.
2) Herbalist: Yes, but inform your herbalist.
3) Nutritional supplements: Yes
If the Pukka Herbs and other remedies are for the same condition they should complement each other. If they are for different conditions it is fine, but may be advisable to seek the advice of your therapist.
Are your remedies safe to take with pharmaceutical medication?
All of our remedies are safe to use with pharmaceutical medication but we advise that you take them at least two hours apart from each other.
However, we would advise caution when using certain specific formulas with pharmaceutical drugs that are for the same condition as there may be a positive cumulative effect such as with diabetic or anti-hypotensive medication. This means that because the herbs are helping to treat the underlying cause as well as the symptoms you may not need such a high dose of your medication. You should only reduce your medication in consultation with your doctor. Consult your health practitioner or ring customer services if you are using the following together:
- Gymnema Plus when taking hypoglycaemic, anti-diabetic medication.
- Gokshura & Shatavari formula when taking any diuretic medication.
- Turmeric & Boswellia formula with any anti-coagulant medication (heparin, warfarin).
- Ashwagandha and Valerian & Ashwagandha formula with any sedative (barbiturate).
- Red Ginseng and anti-coagulant medication (heparin, warfarin); digoxin, hypoglycaemic or anti-diabetic medication and medication containing excessive amounts of caffeine.
- Mushroom Formula and immuno-suppressive medication.
There are some concerns in the scientific community that Licorice may interact with medication and cause unwanted interactions with diuretics, cardiac glycosides and anti-arrhythmic drugs. When taken at the recommended dosage the amount of licorice in our herbs and formulas is too low to cause such interactions. People who have impaired liver and kidney function and are on medication should consult their health professional.
Do your herbal remedies have any side effects?
There are no general side effects associated with our remedies but idiosyncratic reactions are always possible. If you take a remedy and felt anything strange please give Customer Services a ring and they will be able to help.
Can I take Pukka herbs and formulas if I am pregnant?
We would advise against taking herbal remedies whilst you are pregnant without the advice of a practitioner.
What if I get pregnant while I'm taking these herbs? Is it safe to take them while we're trying for a baby?
Generally we advise not to take the herbs when you are pregnant without the advice of a practitioner. However, Shatavari for women, Shatavari Plus and Ashwagandha are fine if you are trying to conceive as they are used as tonics.
There are some reports that Gotu Kola and Ginger should not be used in pregnancy. The doses of Ginger in our teas are too low to cause problems or any adverse effects. Gotu Kola is not present in our teas but is present in some of our capsule formulas.
Are Pukka herbal remedies safe to take whilst breastfeeding?
We would advise against taking herbal remedies whilst you are breast-feeding without the advice of a practitioner. It is however safe to take Shatavari for women, Chywanaprash and Aloe vera juice.
Are Pukka herbal teas safe to drink during pregnancy?
Yes, our teas are safe to drink during pregnancy.
Licorice
Licorice contains glycyrrhizic acid (GA) which is the natural plant molecule that gives licorice its sweet taste as well as bringing some of its therapeutic benefits. Some scientists consider that GA consumption should be limited during pregnancy. This limit was determined through studies involving high levels of consumption of licorice sweets and studies involving isolated GA rather than consumption of licorice root in beverages. However, to err on the side of caution, we have thoroughly researched this subject.
We are providing information here regarding the amount of licorice in our teas so that you can make an informed decision about how much glycyrrhizic acid you are consuming. The typical glycyrrhizic acid content of licorice is in the range of about 4% for Glycyrrhiza glabra (European licorice). The European Union has suggested a safe level of consumption in beverages during pregnancy is 50mg of glycyrrhizic acid per day.
The majority of our teas contain small amounts of licorice and therefore minimal amounts of glycyrrhizic acid. For example, our tea with the highest percentage of licorice is our Licorice & Cinnamon tea that contains 500mg of licorice per bag (25% of the blend) and, based on the European Pharmacopoeia’s (Eu Pharm) content of 4% GA, contains 20mg of glycyrrhizic acid. This essentially means that during pregnancy you may safely choose to limit your consumption to 2.5 cups per day of Licorice & Cinnamon tea.
The table below details our licorice containing teas and the number of teabags required to reach the suggested upper limit of 50mg. It is also important to note that people who suffer from hypertension or who are on some forms of medication should avoid excessive, long-term consumption of licorice. Please note that not all the glycyrrhizic acid present in licorice root will be dissolved into the hot water when the tea is made and that the human body does not absorb 100% of the glycyrrhizic acid consumed in the licorice.
Licorice and glycyrrhizic acid content of Pukka Teas

Pukka Teas which do not contain licorice include: Green, Lemon Green, Mint Green, Three Fennel, Three Mint and Three Tulsi
Ginger & Galangal
There are some reports that ginger and galangal should not be used in pregnancy but the doses of ginger & galangal in our teas are too low to cause problems or any adverse effects.
Tulsi
Tulsi is a type of Basil which is present in our Night Time and Three Tulsi teas. Whilst Basil is contraindicated in pregnancy the doses present in our teas are too low to cause problems or any adverse effects
Can I take these herbs if I'm on the Pill?
Yes, there is no known interaction with our herbs and the contraceptive pill.
Are Pukka herbal remedies safe for a child to take? If so, what is the dosage?
Generally we recommend that only children over 16 use our products at adult dosage unless you have the advice of a practitioner.
- Chywanaprash is safe for children over 5 at ½ tsp 2x/day. Above that age from 10 can be increased to 1 tsp 2x/day.
- Aloe vera juice is safe for children above 2 years old at 1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon 2x/day. Children over 12 years old may take the adult dose.
- Hemp seed oil is a superb health food and is therefore fine for anyone.
Babies under 14 months take 1-2 teaspoons a day with food. If they are not eating solid food and are being breastfed, give the adult dose to the mother and the baby will get the benefits via the breast milk.
Children 14 months to age 12 take 2-4 teaspoons per day with food. Children over 12 years old may take the adult dose.
- Elderberry Syrup for the respiratory system is safe for children over 2 years old
- Berry C, Vitalise, Clean Greens and Wheatgrass are all safe for children over 5 years old
- Fibre Plus, Chlorella and Spirulina are all safe for children over 12 years old
Is it safe for children to drink Pukka herbal teas?
We do not recommend our teas to any child under 1 year old without the advice of a practitioner. This is just a precautionary principle as the herbs can be safely used by anyone but as children’s immune systems are still immature we recommend that you take the advice of a practitioner after a face-to-face meeting.
Is it okay to take herbal remedies if I’m about to have surgery?
We advise stopping herbs 7 days before surgery to avoid any complications.
All of our formulas are safe to take for surgery, but due to the associated risk of affecting blood clotting we advise that they are avoided prior to surgery.
Can I drink your teas that have licorice in if I have high blood pressure?
Essentially, Yes. All problems ever associated with licorice have been from eating excessive licorice candy sweets. There is a consensus amongst experts that a safe level of licorice consumption for most people is at least 2.5g per day. The ‘culprit’ is considered to be one of licorice’s compounds known as Glycyrrhizic acid (GA) that can cause renal sodium retention leading to increased blood pressure in some individuals. The ‘safe’ amount of 2.5g per day is arrived at by determining that consuming about 100mg/day of GA avoids any blood pressure effects. The typical GA content of licorice is in the range of about 4% for Glycyrrhiza glabra (European licorice). As the highest percentage of licorice in any of our teas is 25% (Licorice and Cinnamon tea) and the herbs in the teabag weigh a total of 2g, it means that you would have to take 5 cups a day of Licorice and Cinnamon tea to be near to consuming 2.5g of licorice a day and arriving at the 100mg threshold. All of our other teas have less licorice. Please see the information under “Are Pukka teas safe to drink during pregnancy”for more information regarding Licorice and Glycyrrhizic Acid consumption during pregnancy.
I have asthma & high blood pressure and know to avoid licorice. Can I therefore not take Licorice & Ginger Formula?
Licorice can increase blood pressure as it can cause water retention and therefore increase blood pressure. The amount of Licorice in Licorice and Ginger Formula is too low to cause this.
I'm diabetic on insulin, can I still use Gymnema Plus?
Yes you can, but whenever you use herbal remedies that have the same function as the medication that you are taking it may cause a positive interaction, ie the combined effect may be too strong and so it is essential that you monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your insulin accordingly. The benefit of our formulas is that they treat the root cause of the problem and not just the symptoms.
Can Ginger, Turmeric, Turmeric & Boswellia, Trikatu, Arjuna & Hawthorn or Punarnarva Plus be taken with Warfarin or other anti-coagulants?
Yes, they can. The safe dose of Turmeric when using Warfarin is to keep the dose under 15g/day. Our recommended dose is 3g/day and well within the safety limit.
Can Ashwagandha, Gotu kola, Brahmi Plus, Valerian & Ashwagandha be taken if on Prozac or other anti-depressants?
Yes. Prozac is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). These herbs are safe with Prozac as they do not affect the metabolism of the drug.
However, Ashwagandha and Valerian and Ashwagandha formula should be used with caution if you are taking on sedative (barbiturate) medication due to the cumulative effect.
How does Gokshura & Shatavari remove stones? Will it definitely break them down first or will it move them out wholly & painfully!?
Gokshura is a known lithotriptic herb that chelates and slowly dissolves the stones. It has a long and traditional safe use as a herb for removing stones. The other herbs in the formula protect the mucus membranes of the urinary system and cause diuresis. Encouraging urinary flow also helps prevent the formation of stones.
Is Chywanaprash OK for diabetics?
Refined sugar intake is not a good idea for diabetics. Our Chywanaprash has honey and unrefined jaggery sugar. In low level late onset diabetes it can be taken if the customer monitors their blood sugar levels accordingly.
Can I take Shatavari for women or Shatavari Plus if I’m on HRT?
Yes, Shatavari treats the underlying deficiency and does not interfere with the HRT.
I am concerned about the alcohol content in tinctures, should I avoid them?
The human liver has developed the natural ability to metabolise small amounts of alcohol through exposure to ripe fruits and other naturally fermented foods. Alcohol only causes toxic effects if taken in large doses, way above the daily requirements of a tincture. Also much of the alcohol is evaporated by adding warm water to the drops causing the alcohol to be evaporated. Use capsules if your religion or preference contraindicates the use of alcohol.
I have problems swallowing capsules - how can I take the herbs?
You can either take tinctures or empty the capsules into water and drink.
I have poor digestion – how can I take the herbs so they don't upset my digestion?
If digestion is weak take the capsules or tincture after food.
When is the best time to take the herbs and can they be taken with, before or after food?
The best time to take the remedies is 15 minutes before food with warm water. If digestion is weak, after food with warm water. If you have forgotten just take them anytime!
How long does it take for the remedy to have an effect?
This depends on many factors such as how long you have had a problem, your diet and stress levels. Generally speaking you should be noticing an effect within 2-4 weeks.
How long do I need to take the remedies for?
The duration depends on your condition and a number of other factors such as diet, lifestyle and so on. As a rule of thumb, we would recommend taking the remedy one month for every year you have had the condition i.e. if you have had the condition for 3 years you may need to take the remedy for 3 months.
2 capsules 3 times a day seems a lot, can I take less?
2 capsules 3x/day is equal to about 3 grams of herbs which is still quite a low dosage. We recommend that you stick to the recommended dosage for best results.
What are your capsules made from?
The capsules are made from vegetarian cellulose (made from pine trees managed in sustainable forests) and are guaranteed GM free. Each capsule contains pure powdered herb. We do not use binding agents.
Is it better to take the tincture or capsules?
Tinctures are in liquid form and will therefore be absorbed into the bloodstream slightly quicker. However, our vegetarian capsules have a fast solubility time and are easily digested. Tinctures and capsules are as effective as each other – it is mainly down to personal preference, for example some people may prefer the convenience of a capsule.
Are your products gluten free?
Yes, all our products are gluten free.
Are your products vegetarian or vegan?
All our products are vegetarian. Chywanaprash contains honey and ghee (clarified butter). Ghee contains ghee! (Made from organic milk).