THERAPIES & TRADITIONS · GUIDE
Traditional Medicine Safety Quick Reference
A one-page summary of the main safety points for traditional herbs, products and practices, covering poisoning, heavy metals, interactions, pregnancy, practitioners and delayed care, with links to the full guides.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to Traditional Healing SystemsIf something is wrong right now
If someone has swallowed a remedy and may be poisoned, call a poison center at 1-800-222-1222 in the US; it is free and confidential. [1] In an emergency, call 911. See Poisoning: What to Do First and Poison Help by Country. If you have side effects from a supplement, NCCIH advises stopping it and contacting your health care provider. [2]The short list
- Natural does not mean safe. NCCIH gives kava, which can cause liver disease, as an example. [2]
- Tell your clinicians. Bring a written list of everything you take. [3]
- Do not stop prescribed medicines without talking to your doctor. [4]
- Be careful in pregnancy and with children. [4]
- Check the product and the practitioner before you buy or book.
- Do not delay care for symptoms that persist or worsen. Read When Traditional Healing Delays Needed Medical Care.
Quick reference table
| Concern | What sources say | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy metals | Some Ayurvedic preparations may contain lead, mercury or arsenic in toxic amounts. [5] Some Chinese herbal products contain arsenic, lead or cadmium. [6] | More about Heavy metals → |
| Mercury | Mercury can harm the nervous, digestive and immune systems, lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. [7] | More about Mercury → |
| Hidden drugs | The FDA has found prescription drugs, including warfarin and phenytoin, in products sold as supplements. [2] | More about Hidden drugs → |
| Wrong herb | Manufacturing errors in which one herb is mistakenly replaced with another have caused serious complications. [6] | More about Wrong herb → |
| Medicine interactions | St. John's wort interacts with many drugs, and concentrated green tea supplements can lower levels of some. [3] | More about Medicine interactions → |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children | Many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. [2] | More about Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children → |
| Liver and kidney problems | The NHS says not to take herbal medicines if you have kidney or liver problems. [4] | More about Liver and kidney problems → |
| Surgery | Some supplements may raise bleeding risk or affect the response to anesthesia, so tell your team in advance. [2] | More about Surgery → |
| Needle, cupping and heat practices | Acupuncture complications have resulted from nonsterile needles and improper delivery. [6] | More about Needle, cupping and heat practices → |
| Smoke, heat and fire | General safety facts are covered without instructions. | More about Smoke, heat and fire → |
Checking a product
The NHS advises checking that a herbal medicine in England carries a traditional herbal registration (THR) mark and product code from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and not buying unlicensed herbal medicines online. [4] In the US, supplement makers are responsible for safe, accurately labeled products, but the FDA can act against unsafe or misbranded supplements only after they are on the market. [2] Supplement labels cannot claim to treat or cure disease. [2] See Reading "Traditionally Used For" Claims.Checking a practitioner
Credentials vary widely. In the US there is no standardized national system for credentialing complementary health practitioners, and being licensed or certified is not always a guarantee of being qualified. [8] NCCIH says there is no significant regulation of Ayurvedic practice or education in the US. [5] The NHS says chiropractors and osteopaths must be registered by law in England, but other complementary therapists and herbal practitioners do not need to be. [4] This site does not list practitioners. See How to Check a Traditional Practitioner, Questions to Ask and Red Flags.Reporting a problem
In the US, safety concerns about a supplement can be reported through the HHS Safety Reporting Portal. [2] See Reporting a Problem With a Traditional Product or Practitioner.Going deeper
For the full discussion read Traditional Medicine: Product Quality, Practitioner Claims, Interactions and Clinical Care. Terms are explained in the glossary, and answers to common questions are in the FAQ.Frequently asked questions
Is traditional medicine safe?
WHO says safety depends on practitioner competence, product quality, communication and regulatory support, and that both traditional medicine and biomedicine can have adverse events. [9] NCCIH describes specific problems such as contamination and wrong herbs. [6]
What are the biggest risks with herbal products?
Contamination (including heavy metals), undeclared drugs, interactions with medicines, and use during pregnancy or in children, where safety data are limited. [5][2][4]
Can I use herbs if I take blood thinners or have a narrow-margin medicine?
Ask your pharmacist or prescriber first. NCCIH says people on medicines with a narrow therapeutic index, including digoxin, cyclosporine and warfarin, should take special care. [3] The NHS lists blood-thinning medicine among those that do not mix well with herbal medicines. [4]
Are there any traditions I can trust more than others?
Safety depends on the specific product, practitioner and your health, not on a tradition's name. Use the same checks everywhere: ask about training, check the product, and tell your clinicians. [10]
Where can I report a bad reaction?
Tell your clinician first. In the US, you can also report supplement concerns through the HHS Safety Reporting Portal. [2]
References
- America’s Poison Centers. poison.org (home page). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. 6 Tips: How Herbs Can Interact With Medicines Read 2026-10-22.
- NHS. Herbal medicines and complementary therapies (page last reviewed 1 May 2026). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know Read 2026-10-22.
- WHO. Mercury and health (fact sheet). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. Credentialing, Licensing, and Education Read 2026-10-22.
- WHO. Traditional medicine: questions and answers (28 November 2025). Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH. 6 Things To Know When Selecting a Complementary Health Practitioner Read 2026-10-22.
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.