What Does "Natural" Mean?
What 'natural' does and does not mean on labels: no FDA definition for cosmetics, USDA organic rules, natural versus synthetic, and why 'chemical-free' is misleading.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
"Natural" does not mean unprocessed, safe, effective or suitable to swallow.
What the law says (US)
The FDA has no regulations defining "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics, and all cosmetic products and ingredients must meet the same safety requirement regardless of their source. [1] It also notes that plants contain materials that are toxic, irritating or likely to cause allergic reactions on the skin: cumin oil is safe in food but can blister skin, and certain citrus oils used safely in food can be harmful in cosmetics on sun-exposed skin. [1] We could not read the FDA's page on "natural" food labeling, so we do not state how that term is regulated for food.Organic
In the United States, the USDA National Organic Program develops the rules for production, handling, labeling and enforcement of USDA organic products. [2] Organic describes how an agricultural product was produced and handled. It does not mean a product is safe, effective, or free of allergens.Natural vs synthetic
We do not rank natural over synthetic. Both can be safe or harmful, and a natural source does not guarantee safety: NIH points to kava, a natural supplement linked to liver disease. [3]Whole ingredient vs isolated compound; processing
Processing changes an ingredient: honey, a food, is not the same as a sterile honey wound dressing, [4] and charcoal burned from wood is not "activated" charcoal. [5] Evidence for one form does not carry over to another."Chemical-free"
Everything, including water and honey, is made of chemicals, so "chemical-free" cannot be literally true, and we treat it as marketing, not information.Food, cosmetic and medical grade
The same substance can be regulated differently depending on how it is intended to be used. The FDA decides this from claims, advertising and how a product is marketed: a product to cleanse or make you smell good is a cosmetic, and one intended to treat disease or affect the body's structure or function is a drug. [1] See Quality.Traditional use vs evidence
Historical use is not proof of effectiveness; we keep tradition, laboratory findings and human studies apart.Frequently asked questions
Is natural better than synthetic?
Neither is automatically better or safer. [1][3]
What does organic mean?
It describes production and handling under the USDA National Organic Program rules, not safety or health effects. [2]
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Aromatherapy. Content current as of September 8, 2023. (States that FDA has no regulations defining "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics.)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service. Organic Regulations. The National Organic Program develops rules for production, handling, labeling and enforcement of USDA organic products.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Page last updated January 2019.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 510(k) summary and clearance letter K150985, Medihoney Wound Gel. 2015.
- Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). Activated charcoal: An effective treatment for poisonings. Reviewed by clinical toxicologists named on the page.
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.