How to Tell Your Doctor You Use Natural Remedies
Many people hold back about supplements and herbs for fear of disapproval; here is what research found, and simple ways to open the conversation with your doctor.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
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You are not the only one who holds back
If you have worried about how your doctor will react, you are in good company. A 2019 systematic review of 86 papers found that people who use complementary medicine "frequently neglect to disclose" it to medical providers. [1] For products from plants and other biological sources, the pooled disclosure rate was 33% (95% confidence interval 24% to 43%). [1] The reviewers noted that definitions varied across studies, so the number is an estimate. [1]
Why people stay quiet, and what helps
The same review listed reasons for not telling: providers did not ask, fear of provider disapproval, thinking it was unimportant, and believing the product was safe. [1] Reasons for telling included being asked by the provider and believing disclosure was important for safety. [1]
A review of 30 articles on cancer patients found that nondisclosure is common throughout cancer care. [2] The authors say a lack of dialogue increases the risk of adverse interactions with conventional cancer treatments. [2] That review was about cancer care, so it does not describe every setting.
The reasons to tell are practical. The FDA says certain supplements can change how a medicine is absorbed, broken down or cleared. [3] Your care team cannot allow for something it does not know about.
Ways to start the conversation
These are suggestions for wording, not medical advice.
- Lead with the safety reason. "I want to make sure what I take is safe with my prescriptions. Can I show you my list?"
- Say it as information. "I have been using this tea, and I wanted you to know." You are not asking permission to have a life outside the clinic.
- Bring the list and the packages. NIH suggests a written list, and notes that bringing bottles can help the provider answer questions about ingredients. [4]
- Ask for a joint decision. NIH encourages you to talk with providers about complementary approaches you use so you can make "shared, well-informed decisions." [5]
- Mention everything, including occasional items. The National Institute on Aging advises this. [6]
- Bring a friend or relative if you think it would help you say or remember things. The institute suggests this for appointments generally. [6]
- Say even if it seems unrelated. NIH tells people with cancer to tell their providers about a complementary approach "even if your reason for using it has nothing to do with cancer." [7]
If the conversation goes poorly
The sources we read do not describe what to do if a provider reacts badly, so we cannot give a tested script. Reasonable options are to repeat that this is for safety, to share the same list with your pharmacist, or to ask for another clinician. Your list is useful to any professional you see. See questions to ask your pharmacist.
Telling is not the same as being told to stop
Telling your doctor does not mean giving something up. It starts a conversation. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own; ask the prescriber or pharmacist. If you have cancer, NIH says no complementary approach has been shown to cure it, and that unproven products should not replace or delay medical treatment. [7]
Related pages
Talking with a health professional: what to bring and ask · A printable medicine and supplement list · Cancer and natural remedies: what to tell your care team
Frequently asked questions
Will my doctor be angry that I use natural remedies?
We cannot predict any one doctor. Research does show that fear of provider disapproval is one reason people do not disclose. [1] Framing it as a safety check often keeps the focus on your care.
Does my doctor need to know about things I only use sometimes?
Yes. The National Institute on Aging says to mention everything, even products you use infrequently. [6]
What if my doctor never asks?
Raise it yourself. Lack of inquiry from providers was one of the reasons people did not disclose in the 2019 review. [1] Bringing a written list makes it easy. [4]
Is it a problem to mention it if I am being treated for cancer?
It is important. NIH says to talk to your health care providers before starting any new complementary approach, and to tell them about ones you already use. [7]
Is "natural" a reason not to bother?
No. The FDA states natural does not always mean safe. [3]
References
- Foley H, Steel A, Cramer H, Wardle J, Adams J. Disclosure of complementary medicine use to medical providers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2019;9:1573. Read 2026-10-23 (abstract).
- Akeeb AA, King SM, Olaku O, White JD. Communication Between Cancer Patients and Physicians About Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Systematic Review. J Integr Complement Med. 2023;29(2):80-98. Read 2026-10-23 (abstract).
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Mixing Medications and Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health (consumer update, content current as of 2022). Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH, US). Know the Science: Talk With Your Health Care Providers. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH, US). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Institute on Aging (NIH, US). Taking Medicines Safely as You Age. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH, US). Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-23.