Safety by Remedy Type
Where to find the safety page for each kind of natural remedy: herbs, adaptogens, mushrooms, essential oils, teas, natural ingredients, foods and supplements, with what each source we read says.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Natural remedies are not one thing, and neither is their safety. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, part of the US National Institutes of Health) says that safety "depends on the specific therapy" and that each product should be considered on its own.[1] This page is a map. It sends you to the safety page for each type of remedy, where the detail lives, and it repeats only a few points that the official sources we read make about each type.
If someone may have swallowed something harmful, go to Poisoning: What to Do First now. In the US, call 911 for collapse, seizures, trouble breathing or swelling of the face or throat, and Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for anything else.
Safety page for each type of remedy
| Remedy type | Safety page | One point from the sources we read |
|---|---|---|
| Herbs and botanicals | More about Herbs and botanicals → | MedlinePlus says some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm, and some can interact with medicines.[2] |
| Adaptogens | More about Adaptogens → | For one adaptogen herb, ashwagandha, NCCIH reports a number of cases linking liver injury to supplements, though rare.[3] |
| Mushrooms | More about Mushrooms → | Poison Control says it is never safe to eat a wild mushroom unless a mushroom identification expert says so.[4] For mushroom supplements, "Proper evidence not found" in the sources we read for this page. |
| Essential oils and aromatherapy | More about Essential oils and aromatherapy → | Poison Control says misuse of essential oils can cause serious poisoning.[5] |
| Herbal teas and extracts | More about Herbal teas and extracts → | NCCIH says licorice contains glycyrrhizin, which can cause serious adverse effects such as irregular heartbeat.[6] |
| Natural ingredients (honey, clays, charcoal and others) | More about Natural ingredients (honey, clays, charcoal and others) → | Poison Control advises not to feed honey to infants under 12 months of age.[7] |
| Functional foods | More about Functional foods → | The FDA says grapefruit juice and grapefruit can affect the way some medicines work.[8] |
| Vitamins, minerals and other supplements | More about Vitamins, minerals and other supplements → | The FDA does not have authority to approve dietary supplements before they are marketed.[9] |
Traditional herbal formulas and topical products
Traditional formulas, such as those used in Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, usually combine several ingredients. We did not read a source for this page that rates their safety as a group. For specific formulas, start with Ayurveda Safety Quick Reference or Traditional Chinese Medicine, and read Medicine Interactions for how interactions are described.
Products put on the skin are covered inside the essential oil and natural ingredient safety pages above. Poison Control notes that many essential oils can cause rashes on the skin.[5]
Points that apply to every type
- Dietary supplements. NCCIH says a manufacturer does not have to prove the safety and effectiveness of a dietary supplement before it is available to the public.[1]
- Medicines. NCCIH names drug interactions and product contamination as two main safety concerns for dietary supplements.[1] See Medicine Interactions.
- Surgery. NCCIH advises talking with your health care providers about all supplements as far in advance of surgery as possible.[10]
- Ask a professional. The FDA advises talking to a doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional before deciding to purchase or use a dietary supplement.[9] Never change a prescribed medicine on your own; ask the prescriber or pharmacist.
Related pages
Natural Does Not Mean Safe, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding and Product Quality and Contamination apply across all types.
Frequently asked questions
Does natural mean safe?
No. MedlinePlus says many people believe products labeled "natural" are always safe, and that this is not necessarily true.[2]
Is a herbal product tested like a medicine?
MedlinePlus says herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do.[2]
Which type of remedy is the safest?
Proper evidence not found. We searched NCCIH, MedlinePlus, the FDA and Poison Control for a ranking and read none. NCCIH says each product should be considered on its own.[1]
Who should ask before using a remedy?
The FDA advises talking to a doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional before deciding to use a dietary supplement.[9] NCCIH names narrow-range medicines such as warfarin, digoxin and cyclosporine as situations where interactions are especially important.[10]
What if someone swallowed something harmful?
Do not try to treat it at home. In the US call 911 for collapse, seizure or trouble breathing, or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control says expert guidance is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.[5]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine). Herbal Medicine. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Ashwagandha: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (US). Mushroom poisoning: Don't invite "the death angel" to dinner. Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (US). Essential oils: Poisonous when misused. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (US). Botulism and honey: What's the connection?. Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration. [Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't Mix] (content current as of 2021)(https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/grapefruit-juice-and-some-drugs-dont-mix). Read 2026-10-23.
- US Food and Drug Administration. Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Know the Science: Some Medication-Supplement Interactions Can Be Serious. Read 2026-10-23.