Some people may like the idea of using “natural” health remedies. They may think it sounds safer than chemicals or drugs. But here’s the truth: Natural doesn’t always mean safe. And it doesn’t always mean effective either.
In fact, believing that natural health remedies is better may sometimes lead to more harm than good.
Here’s what Mayo Clinic experts say about what natural really means — and what’s actually good for you.
The word “natural” shows up on many products — supplements, skin creams, teas and even toothpaste. But there’s no clear, legal definition of the word when it comes to health products.
Some so-called natural remedies are highly processed. Others may come from plants or herbs but still have strong effects on the body. For example, the herb St. John’s wort can interfere with many medicines or trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder.
And just because something comes from nature doesn’t mean it can’t hurt you. A plant called foxglove contains a chemical used to make heart medicine — but eating the plant itself can be deadly.
Even vitamins and natural supplements can be harmful if taken at the wrong dose or mixed with certain medicines.
Unlike prescription drugs, many natural health remedies don’t go through strict safety testing. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration, also called FDA, does not check most supplements before they go on the market. That means they:
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