questions & answers

We want anyone to be able to make use of TCM without concerns about the environment, use of animal ingredients or contamination. Below is a list of common questions that we hope will give you all the information you need about these issues.

For more information or explanation of Sen's quality assurance and controls, please ask our store staff or write in to our website (info@senhealth.com).

are Sen products suitable for vegetarians?

Sen believes that animal ingredients are not essential to traditional Chinese medicine and only uses natural herbal ingredients. We have developed our formulae without using any animal ingredients and will continue to strive for the most effective products whilst staying committed to this belief. All of our products are approved by the Vegetarian Society.

are the herb ingredients Sen uses in its products safe?

We have ensured that no formulae contains herb ingredients that the Medicines Control Agency, the government's regulatory authority, has banned for sale in the UK. These will have been banned because of toxicity problems linked to their use.

what about possible herb contamination?

Sen's international panel of botanical experts constantly monitor herb toxicity issues, not just in the UK but around the world, to ensure our herb ingredients remain beyond reproach.

They are split across four categories of possible contamination heavy metals, microbiological (bacteria), mycotoxins (toxins produced by fungus), pesticides.

The European Pharmacopoeia or EP is the European pharmaceutical industry's bible for all medicines. It specifies that products are only safe if they contain contaminants below a certain maximum level or none at all in certain cases. These levels are usually expressed in parts per million (ppm). The EP also specifies particular testing methodologies employing the latest scientific techniques so there is no ambiguity in the results. SGS, Sen's independent testing organisation, always use these specified methodologies.

what are these 53 criteria that SGS test for ?

Heavy Metal Tests: total 4 (Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium)
Microbiological Tests: total 7 (Staphylococcus aureus, Coliform, E.Coli, Yeast & Mould, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, total plate count)
Mycotoxin Tests: total 5 (B1, B2, G1, G2 and total)
Pesticide Tests: total 37 (Alachlor, Aldrin and Dieldrin, Azinphos-methyl, Bromopropylate, Chlordane, Chlorfenvinphos, Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Cypermethrin, DDT, Deltamethrin, Diazinon, Dichlorvos, Dithiocarbamates, Endosulfan, Endrin, Ethion, Fenitrothion, Fenvalerate, Fonofos, Heptachlor, Hexachlorobenzene, Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers, Lindane, Malathion, Methidathion, Parathion, Parathion-methyl, Permethrin, Phosalone, Piperonyl butoxide, Pirimiphos-methyl, Pyrethrins, Quintozene, Endrin ketone, Endrin aldehyde, Methoxychlor)

what other contamination should I worry about ?

Sometimes, there are stories of Chinese medicine companies deliberately adding synthetic chemicals to their herbal products. This is plain illegal and all Sen products are 100% herbal and the precise percentages of herb ingredients are on every pack.

sometimes, I read about GMP procedures when companies talk about their quality control. What is that all about ?

GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. These are internationally recognised standards of operating procedures  that companies should adopt to ensure their products are top quality.  There are many standard operating procedures (SOP) in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. They are generally put in place to ensure the manufacturing process can be replicated under safe conditions every time a batch of products are made. All Sen packaged products are made in accordance with the strict SOP required to achieve Taiwanese Pharmaceutical GMP.

GMP is not simply about using the latest equipment. It's about having fully trained staff who systematically and constantly check all equipment and processes to ensure top quality and, what's more, document this so nothing is left to chance.

do you use radiation in any of your manufacturing ?

Some herb companies have been known to radiate their herbs to attempt to clean them. Sen uses no kind of radiation whatsoever.

what about environmental damage?

Sen is committed to the environment. To this end our products contain no animal ingredients (endangered or otherwise) nor do we use any endangered plant species. What's more, all our packaging is made from recycled materials and the materials in our stores come only from sustainable resources.

is traditional Chinese medicine suitable for me?

Chinese medicine is for anyone at any stage in their life and for any lifestyle. Sen hopes to cater for everyone too.

There are products for common minor ailments, products specially designed for more chronic conditions that people suffer as they grow older, products for younger people perhaps with stressful jobs and products for those who are perfectly healthy but wish to sustain and reinforce their optimal condition.

Also, Sen's expert practitioners can make personalised formulas completely unique to your needs, so it is always worth talking to them.
find out more about personalised prescriptions ->