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Dear Rayner I totally agree with what you say here. However, the fact remains that obstetric cholestasis is a lifethreatening condition for the baby and the mother. There are even anecdotal stories of women who have committed suicide when the itching became intolerable. The research into this condition indicates that a point is reached when the mother must deliver if the baby is to survive - for her to believe, (or to be told) without the evidence to support that belief, that a combination of herbs will cure her and protect her baby is wholly unsatisfactory. Whilst I accept that it is iniquitous that women are the receiving agents for unsubstantiated drugs and treatments during pregnancy and labour, this iniquity is not alleviated just because the therapy recommended is herbal rather than chemical. As a user of complementary therapies, as well as a midwife who recommends their use, I owe it to my clients to be sure that what I am recommending will not do any harm. I am very much concerned that in this instance, great and lasting harm could be done. Lesley ps I like the idea of the tax inducements! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%