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Natural Remedy Safety

One place for the safety questions that apply to every herb, supplement, tea, oil, mushroom and food: medicine interactions, pregnancy and children, product quality, side effects and poisoning. Each remedy section also has its own safety page, linked here.

Natural does not automatically mean safe. We name the source for each caution and say how firm it is: documented, reported, preliminary or theoretical. This is not medical advice and no page here has been medically reviewed yet.

Need urgent help? Poisoning: what to do first

See all safety topics

Urgent Need urgent help?

  • Someone has collapsed, is having a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be woken: call your emergency number now (911 in the US and Canada, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia).
  • Swallowed, touched or breathed something that may be harmful: US Poison Help 1-800-222-1222, free, 24 hours. Do not wait for symptoms. Do not make the person vomit.
  • Other countries, plants and mushrooms, and pets: see poison help by country.
Read what to do first

This page has no ads, no product links and no shopping suggestions. Numbers were checked against official sources on 2026-10-22; if a number does not work, use your local emergency number.

Explore natural remedy safety

Featured guides

Our first safety guides are being written and reviewed. We publish a guide only when it is sourced and ready.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do first if someone may be poisoned?

Call your emergency number if they have collapsed, have a seizure, trouble breathing or cannot be woken; otherwise call poison help (US 1-800-222-1222). Do not make them vomit. [1] See Poisoning: what to do first.

Is natural the same as safe?

No. NIH's example is kava and liver disease. [2] See Natural does not mean safe.

Can herbs interact with my medicines?

Yes; NIH says St. John's wort has been clearly shown to interact with many medicines. [3] See Interactions.

Who should I tell about my supplements?

Every health professional and your pharmacist. [4] See the checklist.

References

  1. Poison Control (America's Poison Centers). First aid: Act fast! and Need immediate assistance?. Read 2026-10-22. Help line 1-800-222-1222.
  2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-22.
  3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). St. John's Wort: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-22.
  4. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Know the Science: Talk With Your Health Care Providers. Read 2026-10-22.

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

Education, not medical advice. This section 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.