Natural Doesn't Mean Safe
“Natural” Products May Be Unregulated, Modified or Contain Allergens
Marketing of many natural products assumes that consumers will see "natural" and think no further. The phrasing on many supplements may be dangerously misleading.
As the trendiness of natural health options grows, so does the number of companies promoting new natural products. This boom of supposedly “natural” cosmetics, personal care products and supplements can present a real hazard to consumers: while natural remedies usually leave a lighter footprint on the environment than their pharmaceutical counterparts, lack of regulation means they may not be as effective as their marketing claims... or even be safe to use.
When “Natural” Doesn’t Mean "Safe"
Please consider the following before assuming that “natural” on the label means a quality product:
1. The Term “Natural” is Often Unregulated.
In the United States, meat products are one of the few areas where the term “natural” is regulated - yet even these rules are vague. According to the Hartman Group, the term natural is virtually meaningless to American consumers.
There is presently no regulation on the terminology used to label essential oils in North America, and no standard for natural cosmetics or “healthy” beauty products. Companies like Tom’s of Maine have been called on to clarify inaccurate claims that their product is natural... yet the rules are still unclear.
The only way to be certain a product is “natural” - by whatever standard you apply the word - is to read labels and know your ingredients. It can also be helpful to speak with the seller or contact the producer of a supplement.
2. Many Poisons Are Natural.
The natural world is rife with plant and animal poisons, some of which are the origin of natural remedies themselves. Belladonna and Arsenic, both natural and highly poisonous, are used as homeopathic remedies. Highly effective under the right circumstances, they may be harmful if administered inappropriately.
Other plants may be harmful only to certain animals. Dogs, for example, may react poorly to raw garlic, though adding cooked or tabulated garlic to their food is one “natural” way to repel fleas.
3. A Natural Ingredient Can Still Be an Allergy Trigger.
People with allergies and sensitivities can react unpredictably - especially to unfamiliar substances such as those used in some herbal supplement formulas. Even a natural product that is beneficial to most people can be dangerous for those who are sensitive.
People with wheat allergies, for instance, may react poorly to wheatgrass juice. Someone with a plant allergy or sensitivity will want to be careful about exposing themselves to incense or essential oils - particularly blends whose contents are unknown.
4. “Derived From Natural Ingredients” is Not the Same as Natural.
Most of the “natural” products getting hype today are not natural at all - they have active chemical ingredients “derived from” plants, or components made by “proprietary processing” of a natural ingredient - fancy marketing lingo which leaves a consumer with no information about what, in the end, is in these products.
Without this information, it can be impossible to know whether a supplement is good or bad for health, not to mention whether or not it is truly “natural.”
When Natural Medicine is Beneficial
While many natural remedies are very effective, some are not. It’s worth the time and effort to do some research and consult a practitioner or expert who can direct you to supplements that are safe and will yield the results you want.
