Steve Woodley Traditional Mitochondrial Medicine

21/06/2026

A sobering message after several days of being sold a number of different supplements at the IPM Congress and just reinforces the message I keep repeating: the high doses in supplements and extracts are not the same as whole plants and foods and can place undue stress on the body.

Herbal medicines and supplements are not risk free, just because they are natural, or because the government chooses not to regulate them. They will regulate only when it becomes more expensive for them not to, and that is a lot of surgeries and deaths away. So choose a professional practitioner to prescribe what you need and monitor you for potential side effects and interactions.

While many of us take supplements regularly, there are some risks people may not be aware of.

16/06/2026

I will be at the Integrative and Personalised Medicine Conference this weekend, as part of my work with Herbal Reality. I have already seen plenty of speakers who I have only met by email or Zoom, so I am looking forward to meeting the people behind the screen. If anyone else is going, look me up, and I will be happy to meet.

15/06/2026

This is a common problem for herbalists too, where people assume that, because it can be bought over the counter or online, it must be safe to self-prescribe.

Unfortunately it is not a new problem either, with my PhD touching on some of it. When antioxidants were first discovered there was a big rush to market them as supplements, herbs and superfoods with exaggerated health claims, long before any real research was complete. When some trials found they made survival rates worse in some conditions, it was swept under the rug and marketed harder before the bubble burst. Now we know the vital role oxidative stress has in physiology and why inhibiting it might be bad, but who is going to hear the research over the clamour of million dollar advertising campaigns from big food and pharma companies and the influencers they sponsor.

All the disinformation age has done is accelerated the existing trend to reduce the value of expertise and put profits over people.

Exclusive: Cancer charity says dispelling falsehoods gleaned from social media is now routine task for clinicians

13/06/2026

10/06/2026

Another article from The Independent about a Chinese longevity herb, but this time one that is more common in our pantries: tea.

While the health benefits of tea are unquestionable, it's form makes a huge difference: Bottled sweet teas and bubble teas are often high in sugar and other additives; plastic tea bags release microplastics; low quality teas may contain pesticides or heavy metals; and supplements can have dangerous doses of compounds meant to promote health but that can induce liver damage if taken irresponsibly. The best form is the oldest: a simple brew of leaves grown organically and served either loose or in a plain, unbleached paper bag, sealed with a non-plastic based adhesion method.

Notably the jury is still out on whether green or black tea is better.

Pesticide residues, heavy metals, and microplastics in tea pose risks, scientists say

09/06/2026

I have just completed a monograph on this herb, Polygonum multiflorum, for Herbal Reality, still in editing, where I discovered the mythological origins of its name, He Shou Wu, that means "Raven Headed Mr. He" and the pharmacological properties that give it these properties, as well as its potential for liver toxicity that can be reduced through processing but is important to be aware of and monitored. Now a scientific review seems to have reached the same conclusion, saying "this isn't folklore; it's pharmacology."

Herb not just slows hair loss, but also creates conditions that support regeneration, scientists say

04/06/2026

The latest issue of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine Journal is now live, along with my latest contribution, part 3 of a series about mitochondria in Chinese medicine.

This part focuses on the role of mitochondria in cellular adaptations and how that makes them a central mechanism for the diverse activities of adaptogenic herbs.

20/05/2026

Join me on June 7th at the UK Conference of Chinese Medicine where I will be representing the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine in a panel discussion titled "Challenge and promise: the evolving landscape for Traditional East Asian Medicine academic journals."

Join us on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June for The UK Conference of Chinese Medicine 2026 Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes

06/05/2026

The British Acupuncture Council responds to an article in the Economist about acupuncture for chronic pain and the age old question it asks about placebo effects.

Last weekend The Economist published an article and column by Health & Science writer Tim Cross asking 'Does acupuncture work?' BAcC Research and Policy Manager Ian Appleyard has responded to the interesting topics raised in the article, which you can read here https://www.economist.com/science-and-...

05/05/2026

If you have ever been interested in learning how to make products, the laws around their safety testing, the science of how it works and bringing them to market, there is no one better to learn from than Dr. Anthony Booker.

Besides being my PhD supervisor, he is also a member of the UK Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee, where he provides advice to the UK Government medicines regulators on matters concerning the phytochemistry and quality of herbal medicines.

Final call to join our Ethnopharmacy Full Module 🌿

Starting this Sunday, 10 May 2026, this 5-day module explores global herbal medicine through the lens of traditional knowledge, modern science, safety, quality control, regulation, and hands-on product making.

Led by Dr Tony Booker with guest experts from industry and regulatory affairs.

Join us:
📍 In person at our Manchester venue
💻 Or via live streaming

Perfect for practitioners, acupuncturists, herbalists, healthcare professionals, and anyone looking to deepen their understanding of medicinal plants and herbal safety.

This module can also be taken as CPD or counted toward the UKTATM Diploma in TCM.

Starts: Sunday 10 May 2026
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Teaching Dates:

Ethnopharmacy 1 — 10 May 2026
Ethnopharmacy 2 — 31 May 2026
Ethnopharmacy 3 — 13 June 2026
Ethnopharmacy 4 — 28 November 2026
Ethnopharmacy 5 — 11 December 2026

Final places available.

Apply now: https://form.jotform.com/251614630964357?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaARm6ulleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaf-N1XyCBxkd6CTPqv8LOYvYXru3O7jyNNXpWVVtLUeQz6lJTqKMMpqhK6k0A_aem_lWGBffCfhFgbiOPtHYKzVg&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3_a1denngmjrhhl9