Natural Ingredient Safety

Natural ingredients can cause real harm. This page covers risks we could source. It is education, not personal advice. If someone is in danger, call 911; in the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222. [1]

Honey and infants

Do not give honey to a baby under 12 months. Spores in honey can cause infant botulism, which occurs mostly between 6 weeks and 6 months of age. [2] See Honey.

Bee-product allergies

• Propolis: Italian surveillance recorded 18 suspected adverse reactions to propolis products; 16 were allergic reactions, six people went to hospital or an emergency department, and two had life-threatening events. The authors call propolis a potent sensitizer that should not be used by people with an allergic predisposition, particularly pollen allergy, and note that atopic and asthmatic people may be at increased risk from bee products. [3]
• Bee pollen: a case report describes anaphylaxis one hour after one tablespoon of bee pollen in a man with seasonal allergies. The pollen contained ragweed, chrysanthemum and dandelion pollens. [4]
• These are surveillance data and case reports, so they show that serious reactions happen, not how often.

Castor oil, apple cider vinegar and other things people swallow

A Cochrane review found all women who swallowed castor oil in labor trials felt nauseous, and castor oil is a potent cathartic. [5] We found no readable source on swallowing apple cider vinegar or clay, so we do not say they are safe to swallow. Do not swallow skin products or cosmetic oils.

Iodine in seaweed, kelp and sea moss

Seaweed and kelp supplements can contain very large amounts of iodine. The American Thyroid Association advises against iodine and kelp supplements above 500 mcg of iodine daily. [6] See Seaweed, sea moss & kelp.

Activated charcoal

Not a home poisoning treatment; call Poison Control. It should not be taken by people with gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel perforation or bowel blockage. [7] Not recommended as a routine detox product. [8]

Clays and products not meant to be swallowed

We could not read a regulator or NIH source on swallowing bentonite or kaolin clay, so we make no claim that ingesting clay is safe or effective. Do not swallow cosmetic ingredients, bath products or essential oils. Read the label: skin products are not food. Keep essential oils in their own section; see Essential oil safety.

Algae and other supplements

Quality problems have been found in spirulina supplements. [9] NIH notes that what is on a supplement label may not be what is in the product. [10]

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and medicines

Many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children, and some interact with medicines or affect bleeding or anesthesia. [10] Ask a pharmacist or clinician before using any concentrated natural product.

Detox and cleanse claims

Some "detox" or "cleanse" products have been the subject of FDA and FTC action for hidden ingredients or false claims. [8] See Detox & cleanse claims.

Wounds

Do not put household ingredients on serious, infected or worrying wounds. Medical honey dressings are made products; ordinary honey is not the same. [11][12]

When to get help

Stop the product and contact a clinician for allergic symptoms (hives, swelling, trouble breathing), yellow skin or eyes, severe stomach pain, or any new reaction. [10]