Natural Ingredient Safety
Natural ingredient safety in plain words: honey and babies, bee-product allergy, swallowing hazards, medicines, pregnancy and children, with when to call Poison Help or 911.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
If someone has swallowed something harmful, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US). MedlinePlus says the line is free, open 24 hours a day, and you can call for any reason. [1] Call 911 if the person has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken. [2] Do not make the person vomit unless poison control or a clinician tells you to. [1] For other countries, see Poison Help by country, and for the first steps see Poisoning: what to do first.
This page is information, not personal advice. It covers risks that sources we read describe, and it says where we found none.
"Natural" does not mean safe
NIH's NCCIH notes that dietary supplements may interact with medicines or pose risks for people with certain medical problems or who are having surgery. [3] It also notes that what is on a label may not be what is in the product. [3] Lack of evidence of harm is not proof of safety, so this library says "not described in the sources we read" when that is the case.
The main risks at a glance
The table separates what a source documents from what we could not find. Case reports show that harm can happen, not how often.
| Ingredient | What the sources we read document | Kind of evidence | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey for babies under 12 months | Infant botulism; honey is a recognized risk factor. [4][5] | Established public-health advice | More about Honey for babies under 12 months → |
| Propolis and bee pollen | Serious allergic reactions have been reported. [6][7] | Surveillance and a case report | More about Propolis and bee pollen → |
| Colloidal silver | Argyria, a usually permanent gray skin color; FDA says it is not safe or effective for any condition. [8] | Regulator warning, case reports | More about Colloidal silver → |
| Hydrogen peroxide swallowed | Poisoning, with burns in the mouth and throat. [1] | Poison-information source | More about Hydrogen peroxide swallowed → |
| Baking soda in large amounts | Poisoning; life-threatening complications in case reports. [9][10] | Case reports and a review of cases | More about Baking soda in large amounts → |
| Eating clay | Clays can contain lead, arsenic and other metals; safety not established. [11][12] | Review of studies | More about Eating clay → |
| Activated charcoal at home | Not recommended for treating a poisoning at home. [13] | Poison-center guidance | More about Activated charcoal at home → |
| Apple cider vinegar | Throat injury and, in one case, low potassium. [14][15] | Case reports | More about Apple cider vinegar → |
| Castor oil by mouth | A potent cathartic (strong laxative); all women in labor trials felt nauseous. [16] | Cochrane review, small trials | More about Castor oil by mouth → |
| Kelp and iodine supplements | The American Thyroid Association advises against supplements above 500 mcg iodine daily. [17] | Professional-society statement | More about Kelp and iodine supplements → |
Bee products and allergy
An Italian surveillance system received 18 suspected reactions to propolis products. Sixteen were allergic, and six people went to hospital or an emergency department. [6] The authors call propolis a potent sensitizer that should not be used by people with an allergic predisposition, in particular pollen allergy. [6] A case report describes a man with hives, facial swelling and breathing difficulty an hour after one tablespoon of bee pollen. [7] Cross-reactions are covered on Natural ingredients and food allergy cross-reactions.
Things not meant to be swallowed
Several popular home remedies are swallowed even though sources advise against it. Our guide Natural substances not meant to be swallowed covers clays, hydrogen peroxide, colloidal silver, baking soda, Epsom salt and charcoal. Essential oils have their own rules; see Essential oil safety.
Medicines, pregnancy, children and surgery
- Medicines: see Natural ingredient and medicine interactions and how interactions work.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NCCIH notes many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. [3] See Natural ingredients in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Babies and children: see Natural ingredients for babies and children.
- Surgery: tell the surgical team about everything you take; see supplements before surgery.
Quality and detox claims
Quality varies. In one study of spirulina supplements sold in Slovenia, 86.7% had inappropriate declarations of elemental content. [18] See quality testing and certifications. NCCIH cites a 2015 review that found no compelling research supporting "detox" diets for removing toxins, and notes some detox products have been unsafe or falsely advertised. [19] See Detox claims.
Signs to get help
Hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing after a bee product are emergency signs; call 911. [7] For anything else that worries you, stop the product and ask a pharmacist or clinician. We cannot tell you whether a product is right for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a natural ingredient safer than a medicine?
Not automatically. NCCIH notes that supplements can interact with medicines and may not match their labels. [3] Safety depends on the ingredient, the form, the amount and the person.
Which natural ingredients should never be given to babies?
Honey should not be given to infants younger than 12 months because of infant botulism. [5] See Natural ingredients for babies and children for more.
Can I be allergic to honey or bee products?
Allergic reactions to propolis and bee pollen are documented, some of them serious. [6][7] We did not find a source that gives how common they are.
Is it safe to swallow clay, charcoal or hydrogen peroxide for wellness?
We found no source that supports swallowing them for wellness. Hydrogen peroxide can cause burns and poisoning. [1] Poison Control does not recommend using charcoal at home for poisoning. [13] Details are on Natural substances not meant to be swallowed.
Who do I call after swallowing something harmful?
In the US, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, and 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing. [1][2]
References
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Hydrogen peroxide poisoning. National Library of Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus Drug Information. Sodium Bicarbonate. Last revised 04/15/2017. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Infant botulism. National Library of Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
- Tanzi MG, Gabay MP. Association between honey consumption and infant botulism. Pharmacotherapy. 2002;22(11):1479-83. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Menniti-Ippolito F, et al. Surveillance of suspected adverse reactions to natural health products: the case of propolis. Drug Saf. 2008;31(5):419-23. Italian national surveillance, 18 reports. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Choi JH, et al. Bee pollen-induced anaphylaxis: a case report and literature review. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2015;7(5):513-7. A single case report. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Colloidal Silver. Last updated April 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Baking soda overdose. National Library of Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
- Inokuchi R, et al. Severe metabolic alkalosis and hypernatremia induced by excessive sodium bicarbonate intake: a case report and literature review. Am J Emerg Med. 2026;103:45-49. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Bonglaisin JN, et al. Geophagia: Benefits and potential toxicity to human, a review. Front Public Health. 2022;10:893831. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Lawluvi H, et al. Maternal geophagy in Ghana: a mini review of toxicological, microbial, nutritional, and radiological exposure pathways. Front Public Health. 2026. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). Activated charcoal: An effective treatment for poisonings. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chung CH. Corrosive oesophageal injury following vinegar ingestion. Hong Kong Med J. 2002;8(5):365-6. A single case report. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- Ijaz R, Haward R. Role of vinegar in cardiovascular health: a narrative review. J Biol Methods. 2025. A narrative review; full text read 2026-10-23.
- Kelly AJ, Kavanagh J, Thomas J. Castor oil, bath and/or enema for cervical priming and induction of labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(7):CD003099. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- American Thyroid Association. ATA Statement on the Potential Risks of Excess Iodine Ingestion and Exposure. Posted June 5, 2013; page shows March 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Masten Rutar J, et al. Nutritional quality and safety of the spirulina dietary supplements sold on the Slovenian market. Foods. 2022;11(6):849. Abstract read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). "Detoxes" and "Cleanses": What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-23.