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Natural Ingredient Safety Quick Reference: Warning Signs and Whom to Call

A one-page quick reference for warning signs after a natural ingredient or home remedy, and whether to call 911, Poison Help (1-800-222-1222), 988 or a clinician.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read natural ingredient safety before you use anything on this page.

Urgent first (United States). Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened. [1] For a possible poisoning when the person is awake and breathing normally, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or use the online tool; both are described as free, expert and confidential. [1] Do not wait for symptoms to develop. [2] For emotional distress or a mental health crisis, the 988 Lifeline can be called, texted or chatted with any time of day or night. [3] Outside the United States, see Poison Help by Country.

This page is a quick reference, not medical advice. It states only the three US numbers above. If you are unsure whether something is an emergency, treat it as one and call.

Warning signs and whom to call

The table groups the situations that come up most often with natural ingredients and home remedies. The "what the source lists" column repeats what an official or medical source says; it is not a complete list of signs.

SituationWhat the source listsWhom to call (US)
Something was swallowed that is not a food or a medicine you were told to take (clay, charcoal, "food-grade" peroxide, Epsom salt, baking soda, silver products)Poisoning is exposure to a harmful substance, and a missing warning label does not mean a substance is safe. [2]Poison Help, 1-800-222-1222. 911 for collapse, seizure, trouble breathing or if the person cannot be awakened. [1]
Hydrogen peroxide swallowedPoison Control says "food-grade" peroxide is not food and can cause serious internal burns if swallowed. [4] Gas embolism symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain and confusion. [4]Poison Help; 911 for the signs in the row above.
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) swallowed in large amountsA 2026 case report with a review of 78 cases found that chronic ingestion mainly caused severe metabolic alkalosis and electrolyte problems, and acute massive ingestion was often complicated by stomach rupture. [5] MedlinePlus's drug page lists severe headache, vomit that resembles coffee grounds and slow breathing among symptoms to call a doctor about. [6]Poison Help for an overdose. [6] 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing.
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) swallowed as a laxativeA case report describes weakness, a slow heartbeat and low blood pressure, and the magnesium level corrected after dialysis began. [7]Poison Help; 911 if the person collapses or has trouble breathing.
Clay swallowedA case report in a 3-year-old notes that large oral amounts of bentonite have the potential to cause bowel obstruction and electrolyte abnormalities. [8]Poison Help; clinician for ongoing symptoms.
Activated charcoalPoison Control says not to treat a poisoning with activated charcoal at home; when it is used in a serious poisoning the person should be monitored in an emergency room. [9]Poison Help or 911, not home treatment.
Colloidal silverNCCIH describes argyria (a usually permanent bluish-gray skin color) and says it can cause poor absorption of some drugs, such as certain antibiotics and thyroxine. [10]Clinician or pharmacist; Poison Help if you think a harmful amount was swallowed.
Castor beans (seeds) chewed or swallowedRicin is a toxin from castor beans. [11] The oil does not contain ricin. [12]Poison Help; 911 for collapse or trouble breathing.
Allergic reaction (bee products, nuts, oils, any new product)Anaphylaxis signs include swelling of the face, eyes or tongue, difficulty breathing, and hives. [13]911 immediately. [13] See severe allergic reactions to natural products.
Baby under 12 months who was given honeyInfant botulism signs include a weak cry, poor feeding and weak suckling, and eyelids that sag. [14]Emergency room or 911 right away. [14]
Skin rash or itching after a new productAllergic contact dermatitis can be triggered by substances in products such as cosmetics. [15]Pharmacist; see a clinician for persistent, recurrent or severe symptoms. [15]
Yellow skin or eyes, or darker urine or paler stool, after supplements or herbsA yellow tint to the skin or eyes can be a sign of something serious such as liver disease. [16] Liver disease sometimes causes no symptoms. [17]Clinician promptly; see liver injury warning signs.
Illness after raw milk, or possible raw milk exposure in pregnancyThe FDA advises seeing a healthcare professional immediately. [18]Clinician.
Oil swished in the mouth, then cough or breathing troubleCase reports link lipoid pneumonia, caused by oily substances entering the lungs, with oil pulling. [19] [20]Clinician; 911 for severe trouble breathing.
Feeling in crisis or thinking about self-harmThe 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365, free and confidential. [3]988, or 911 in immediate danger.

Things not to do while you wait for help

  • Do not make the person vomit unless poison control or a health care professional tells you to. [2]
  • Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling. [2]
  • Do not use activated charcoal as a home treatment for a poisoning. [9]
  • Do not assume "food grade" means safe to swallow. Poison Control says "food-grade" hydrogen peroxide is 35% and is not food, [4] and a pesticide fact sheet says "food grade" diatomaceous earth products are purified, which is a statement about purity, not about swallowing. [21]

What to have ready

Poison Help will ask what was taken and how much, so keep the container or label with you. The checklist is on What to Tell Poison Help When You Call. For a step-by-step guide see Poisoning: What to Do First.

When it is not an emergency but still worth a call

Some risks are not urgent but matter. Dietary supplements may interact with medicines or pose risks for people with certain medical conditions or before surgery, and NCCIH advises telling your health care providers about all supplements as far in advance of an operation as possible. [22] Ask a pharmacist or the prescriber; do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. More on timing is in When to Seek Medical Help After a Natural Remedy and Natural Substances Not Meant to Be Swallowed.

Limits of this page

  • It covers the United States numbers only. We did not read a source we could cite for other countries' numbers, so we give none; see the country guide linked above.
  • Reaction signs for individual ingredients are on each ingredient page. A missing sign here does not mean a product is safe.
  • Reporting a side effect to the FDA or another regulator is covered in Side Effects, Allergic Reactions and Reporting.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wait to see whether symptoms appear?

No. MedlinePlus says not to wait for symptoms to develop and to get medical help right away. [2]

Should I make someone vomit or give charcoal?

No. Do not induce vomiting unless poison control or a health care professional says so, [2] and Poison Control says not to treat a poisoning with activated charcoal at home. [9]

When is it 911 and when is it Poison Help?

Call 911 for collapse, a seizure, trouble breathing or if the person cannot be awakened; otherwise Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) or the online tool gives expert, free, confidential guidance. [1]

Does "natural" or "food grade" mean it is safe to swallow?

No. NCCIH says "natural" does not always mean "safe," [22] and Poison Control says "food-grade" hydrogen peroxide is not food. [4]

Is a product safe if its label shows no warning?

Not necessarily. MedlinePlus notes that the absence of a warning label does not mean a substance in the package is safe. [2]

References
  1. Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). Poison Control home page. Read 2026-10-23.
  2. MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine). Poisoning first aid. Review date 1/8/2025. Read 2026-10-23.
  3. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 988 Lifeline. Read 2026-10-23.
  4. Poison Control. Hydrogen peroxide. Read 2026-10-23.
  5. Inokuchi R, Maeda A, Komaru Y, et al. Severe metabolic alkalosis and hypernatremia induced by excessive sodium bicarbonate intake: a case report and literature review. Am J Emerg Med. 2026. PubMed 41650758. Read 2026-10-23.
  6. MedlinePlus Drug Information (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists). Sodium Bicarbonate. Last revised 2017-04-15. Read 2026-10-23.
  7. Epsom Salt Ingestion Leading to Severe Hypermagnesemia Necessitating Dialysis. J Emerg Med. 2020. PubMed 32389435 (abstract read). Case report. Read 2026-10-23.
  8. Severe hypokalemia caused by oral and rectal administration of bentonite in a pediatric patient. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2006. PubMed 16871112. Case report. Read 2026-10-23.
  9. Poison Control. Activated charcoal. Read 2026-10-23.
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Colloidal Silver: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-23.
  11. Bradberry SM, et al. Toxicol Rev. 2003;22(1):65-70. Ricin poisoning. PubMed 14579548. Read 2026-10-23.
  12. Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Int J Toxicol. 2007;26(Suppl 3):31-77. Final report on the safety assessment of Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Glyceryl Ricinoleate and related ingredients. PubMed 18080873. Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel report; abstract read. Read 2026-10-23.
  13. MedlinePlus. Anaphylaxis. National Library of Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
  14. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, National Library of Medicine. Infant botulism. Read 2026-10-23.
  15. NHS (UK). Contact dermatitis. Read 2026-10-23.
  16. NHS (UK). Jaundice. Read 2026-10-23.
  17. MedlinePlus. Liver Diseases. National Library of Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
  18. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The Dangers of Raw Milk: Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk. Read 2026-10-23.
  19. Kuroyama M, et al. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia caused by repeated sesame oil pulling: a report of two cases. BMC Pulm Med. 2015;15:135. PubMed 26518258. Read 2026-10-23.
  20. Wong CF, et al. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia associated with oil pulling: report of two cases. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2018;88(3):922. PubMed 30203635. Read 2026-10-23.
  21. Bunch TR, Bond C, Buhl K, Stone D. Diatomaceous Earth General Fact Sheet. National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University Extension Services. Reviewed January 2013. Read 2026-10-23.
  22. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.