AN Oxford herbalist says her business has been saved after the Government announ- ced plans to register UK practitioners for the first time.

Louanne Richards feared her Raleigh Park Clinic, in Botley, where she practices traditional Chinese medicine, would be forced to close because of new rules due to be introduced by the European Union in April.

In November, the Oxford Mail reported that the EU wanted to ban anyone other than fully licensed medical practitioners importing and prescribing hundreds of herbs, roots and tinctures.

Officials said the law was needed to ensure all medicines were correctly licensed and regulated.

But the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley, has now approved a plan for the Health Professions Council (HPC) to establish a register of practitioners supplying unlicensed herbal medicines.

Practitioners will be required to sign up by law.

Mr Lansley said they would be allowed to continue if they registered with the Health Professions Council.

He said: “This Government wishes to ensure that the public can continue to have access to these products.”

It means practitioners such as Ms Richards will be able to become properly accredited.

Ms Richards, of Stanton St John, said: “At my clinic I treat people for conditions such as infertility, skin complaints and things like epilepsy, irritable bowel syndrome and gynaecological problems.

“The Government is to be congratulated on listening to the public’s concern over the fate of herbal medicine.

“I would like to thank everyone who has supported the campaign, including the Oxford Mail. I feel greatly relieved that I can continue treating patients with herbs which are natural, effective and without serious side-effects.”

Ms Richards said she imported her stock in its raw form from China.

The Government’s register of approved herbalists will be set up in April 2012.

The EU directive makes it illegal for practitioners to supply unlicensed herbal medicines.

From next year, anyone who practices herbal medicine will have to be regulated by the Government.

In the meantime, Ms Richards is urging members of the public to only seek treatment from practitioners who are registered with a professional organisation, such as her own professional body, the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

Emma Farrant, secretary of RCHM, said: “We are very pleased with this decision.

“Statutory regulation will ensure that only the most competent practitioners can continue to treat the public.”