Sales of complementary therapies such as traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines are booming in the UK as increasing numbers of people turn away from prescription drugs.

The market for these remedies has grown 18 per cent since 2007. The market growth to the increasing acceptance of alternative medicines, with many of them being recommended through official channels such as the National Health Service.

With increasing numbers suffering from mental ailments such as stress and depression, herbal treatments such as St John's Wort were being used more frequently and by greater numbers of people.