Naturopathic and Integrative Care Safety Quick Reference

This page is a quick safety summary, not medical advice. Alternative and integrative approaches are never a reason to delay urgent or standard medical care. Read the urgent section first.

Call for help first

• Possible heart attack. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.[1] Chest pain is the most common symptom.[1]
• Possible stroke. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away at the first signs.[2] MedlinePlus's quick checks: FACE (does one side droop when the person smiles?), ARMS (does one arm drift down when both are raised?), SPEECH (are words slurred when repeating a simple sentence?).[2]
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). It is an emergency; call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.[3] Signs include swelling of the face, eyes or tongue and difficulty breathing or wheezing.[3] An epinephrine injector should be used immediately if one is available.[3]
• Poisoning or overdose, including from a supplement, herb, essential oil or cleanse product. In the US, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222, or 911 in an emergency. See Poisoning: What to Do First, Poison Help by Country and Emergencies and Poisoning During Natural Treatments.
• Thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis. In the US, call, text or chat 988. The Lifeline is available 24/7 and conversations are free and confidential.[4]
• Pregnancy warning signs, or a sick infant or child. Contact a doctor or emergency services right away rather than trying a natural treatment first; see Pregnancy and Postpartum and Children and Infants.

The full list is on Never Delay Medical Care.

Seven safety rules in one place

Check with a clinician before starting

Talk with a doctor, pharmacist or other licensed clinician first if any of these apply. The list is general and not exhaustive.

• Pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to conceive, or giving a child a supplement. NCCIH says many dietary supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children.[9]
• Cancer. NCCIH says to consult your health care providers before using any complementary health approach, and that some herbs may make chemotherapy less effective.[6]
• Kidney or liver disease. NCCIH notes colon cleansing harms are more likely in people with kidney disease,[10] and that kava supplements can cause liver disease.[9]
• Several medicines, or blood thinners. NCCIH notes St. John's wort makes many medications less effective, and the FDA has found anticoagulants such as warfarin hidden in products sold as supplements.[9]
• Before surgery. Certain supplements may increase bleeding risk or affect response to anesthesia.[9]
• History of an eating disorder. Fasting and cleanse programs deserve a clinician's input first; the NHS lists taking laxatives after eating among eating disorder symptoms.[14]
• Older adults. See Older Adults for medicine and supplement load.

Where to go next

Informed Consent, Warning Signs Checklist, Risks of IV Therapy, Chelation and Injections, Unlicensed Practice and Misrepresented Titles and Reporting Complaints and Adverse Events.