Exhibit 5.1
                              LANE & MITTENDORF LLP
                                 320 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10022
                                 (212) 508-3200


                            Facsimile: (212) 508-3230


   
                                November 11, 1997
    


Natural Health Trends Corp.
2001 West Sample Road
Pompano Beach, FL  33064

Attn:  Neal R. Heller

                           Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Gentlemen:

                  We refer to the  offering  (the  "Offering")  of the shares of
common stock,  $.001 par value (the "Common  Stock"),  of Natural  Health Trends
Corp., a Florida  corporation  (the  "Company")  issuable upon the conversion of
2,200 shares of the Company's  Series A Convertible  Preferred Stock with a face
amount of $2,200,000  (the "Series A Preferred  Stock"),  being  registered  for
resale on behalf of the Selling  Stockholders  as described in the  Registration
Statement on Form S-3 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as
subsequently  amended  from  time  to  time  (collectively,   the  "Registration
Statement").

                  In  furnishing  our opinion,  we have  examined  copies of the
Registration Statement and the Exhibits thereto. We have conferred with officers
of the Company and have  examined  the  originals  or  certified,  conformed  or
photostatic  copies of such records of the Company,  certificates of officers of
the Company,  certificates of public  officials,  and such other documents as we
have deemed relevant and necessary under the  circumstances  as the basis of the
opinion  expressed  herein.  In all  such  examinations,  we  have  assumed  the
authenticity  of  all  documents  submitted  to us  as  originals  or  duplicate
originals,  the  conformity to original  documents of all document  copies,  the
authenticity  of the  respective  originals  of such latter  documents,  and the
correctness and  completeness of such  certificates.  Finally,  we have obtained
from officers of the Company such assurances as we have considered necessary for
the purposes of this opinion.

                  Based upon and subject to the foregoing and such other matters
of fact and  questions of law as we have deemed  relevant in the  circumstances,
and in reliance  thereon,  it is our opinion that the shares of Common Stock, to
be sold for the account of the Selling Stockholders, issuable upon conversion of
the Series A Preferred  Stock in accordance  with its terms will, upon execution
and delivery of proper certificates therefor, be duly authorized, validly issued
and outstanding,  fully paid and nonassessable;  provided that the Company has a
sufficient number of authorized shares.







                  We hereby  consent to the use of our name in the  Registration
Statement  and  to  the  inclusion  of  this  opinion  in  the  Exhibits  to the
Registration Statement.

   
                  It should be noted  that  Martin C.  Licht,  a partner of this
firm,  serves in a business  capacity on the Board of  Directors of the Company.
However,  we do not  believe  that Mr.  Licht's  service  as a  director  should
otherwise affect the opinions set forth herein. No knowledge that he may have as
a result of his business  association  with the Company is to be imputed to this
firm.
    

                  We are  admitted  to the  practice of law only in the State of
New York.  The opinions set forth herein are based upon the laws of the State of
New York,  the corporate law of the State of Florida and the Federal laws of the
United States.

   
                  This opinion is limited to the matters set forth  herein,  and
may not be relied upon for any other purpose  other than in connection  with the
corporate  authority for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock  pursuant to
and as contemplated by the Registration Statement.
    

                                                     Very truly yours,

                                                     LANE & MITTENDORF LLP