A GP has warned that a common wellness habit could leave UK travellers facing huge medical bills abroad if not declared on travel insurance applications. Dr Asimah Hanif, who works with Staysure, the UK’s leading travel insurance provider, said health supplements such as CBD oil, ginseng, or St John’s Wort can be considered undeclared medical conditions and may invalidate cover.

Searches for “best health supplements” attract around 1,400 monthly queries in the UK, highlighting their growing popularity. Yet many people assume supplements are harmless, overlooking the fact that they can interfere with treatments. Dr Hanif explained, “It’s incredibly common for people to forget that herbal supplements are still active substances. Things like ginseng, valerian root, or even CBD oil can interact with other medications, affect anaesthesia, or alter your heart rate or liver function.”

Key risks linked to supplements

Dr Hanif noted that “Popular supplements like St John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of prescription medications, including birth control pills and blood thinners.” She added that Ginkgo Biloba, often taken to support brain and heart health, “can increase bleeding risk, which becomes a serious concern especially if you need surgery.”

Beyond the medical risks, there are financial consequences. “Any undeclared pre-existing medical condition can create costly complications when it comes to medical travel insurance,” Dr Hanif said. “It could even invalidate your cover if you need emergency medical treatment abroad.” In such cases, travellers could face bills running into tens of thousands of pounds.

Staysure, which has more than 480,000 customer reviews and an 82% five-star rating on Trustpilot, specialises in covering pre-existing medical conditions and accepts over 97% of applicants. The company stresses the need for accurate medical declarations, including those managed with supplements.

Steps to ensure valid cover

Dr Hanif advised: “When buying your travel insurance, it can be tricky to know what to declare to your insurer, but the advice is simple: if you have a pre-existing medical condition declare it to your insurer regardless of if you treat it with prescribed medication or by using over the counter supplements.” This includes vitamin D for deficiencies or CBD oil for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, or sleep issues.

She also highlighted the importance of updating policies regularly. “You should also keep your policy up to date if your health changes over time, so it remains valid and reflects your current health.” Travellers can make changes online through Staysure’s MyStaysure portal to avoid administrative fees.

Finally, Dr Hanif said insurance details should align with medical records. “Ultimately, it’s about ensuring that if something unexpected happens abroad and you need medical care, what’s on your GP NHS medical records matches the conditions covered on your travel insurance. That way local doctors will have the full picture of your health, and your medical bills will be covered.”

Dr Hanif, who graduated from the University of Manchester and has nearly 15 years of experience in both public and private healthcare, combines her medical expertise with her passion for travel in her role at Staysure. Her message is clear: “It could be the difference between a smooth treatment process and a rejected medical claim.”

With medical emergencies overseas capable of costing tens of thousands of pounds, she stressed that a brief check before travelling could prevent financial disaster. “Your future self and your bank account will thank you,” she concluded.