A convenience sample was drawn of US paediatric emergency department patients and their caregivers during a 3-month period in 2001. Interviews consisted of 18 questions regarding the types of non-Food and Drug Administration-regulated herbal products and home remedies used, general product knowledge and sources of information used by the child’s caregiver (including discussions with their child’s primary physician). A total of 142 (93%) of 153 families approached participated in the study. The mean patient age was 5.3 years. Of the caregivers, 45% reported giving their child a herbal product. Of the children receiving these therapies, 53% had been given one type and 27% were given three or more in the past year. The most common therapies reportedly used were aloe plant/juice (44%), Echinacea (33%), and sweet oil (25%). The most dangerous potential herbal and prescription medication combination reported was ephedra and albuterol in an adolescent with asthma. Of all people interviewed, 77% did not believe or were uncertain if herbal products had any side-effects and only 27% could name a potential side-effect. A total of 66% were unsure or thought that herbal products did not interact with other medications and only two people correctly named a drug interaction. Of those that used these therapies, 80% reported either friends or relatives as their primary source of information. Only 45% of those giving their children herbal products reported discussing the use with their child’s primary health care provider.