The case of Sandi Stay, who suffered kidney failure after taking banned aristolochia herbal pills (The Argus, November 21), highlights the unsatisfactory arrangements for prescribing herbal medicines.

As the law stands, anyone can set up business as a herbalist without the need for any qualification or belonging to a national organisation.

This burdens anyone seeking such treatment with the very difficult task of discovering for themselves who are properly qualified.

Chinese herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years and has benefited millions of people across the world. Modern investigations have demonstrated it is a safe and effective form of treatment for a wide range of diseases.

It will be a tragic shame if the many who can benefit from Chinese medicine are put off consulting a properly trained herbalist because they don't know who they can trust.

I urge anyone who is considering such treatment not to leave it to chance but

to contact the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine on 01603 623994 for a list of qualified practitioners.

-Mazin Al-Khafaji, The Clinical Centre of Chinese Medicine, The Drive, Hove