"Natural" isn't always safe

Maia Szalavitz writes,

When something is pronounceable and familiar and comes from a plant or animal, people tend to assume it’s safe. But nature is not benign: biological organisms produce some of the most dangerous poisons, from deadly nightshade mushrooms to botulinum toxin to snake venom. Plants often produce potentially toxic substances as a method of self-defense. Although animals evolve to be able to eat some of them safely, this doesn’t mean that “natural” is always good and safe.

Conversely, just because a chemical is manmade and unpronounceable doesn’t mean it’s dangerous. If the NEJM case reports had involved manufactured chemicals like phthalates or aspartame, media coverage almost certainly would have included calls for a ban on them. But even though this research suggests that lavender and tea tree oil act as “endocrine disruptors” – mimicking female hormones in a way similar to the effects of some pollutants – don’t expect to hear similar demands for action about these darlings of the “natural” health product industry.