Safety Guidelines for Botanicals

Safety Guidelines For Botanicals

Safety Information: Be wise…please note that everything in our products is listed on our product labels. If you have a known allergy or aversion to any of those ingredients, please avoid them. We cannot advise you on medication interactions with our products- you will need to speak with your physician or pharmacist. We are pleased to offer you our fine selection of organic Teas and Tisanes which are certified organic by the U.S.D.A National Organic Program. We are inspected and audited each year by MOSA, Demeter, MDA, and FDA.

American Association of Poison Control Centers – http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/default.aspx


Botanicals Generally Recognized As Safe – FDA’s GRAS List - http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/syllabus/gras.htm This list is a compilation of all botanicals which appear on the FDA’s GRAS list, a list of food additives which are Generally Recognized As Safe by a consensus of scientific opinion.


Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System – http://sis.agr.gc.ca/pls/pp/poison?p_x=px The Information System is intended for USE AS A RESEARCH TOOL that provides access to information on poisonous plants and their effects on animals and humans.


Cornell University Poisonous Plants Web Pages – http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html This is a growing reference that includes plant images, pictures of affected animals and presentations concerning the botany, chemistry, toxicology, diagnosis and prevention of poisoning of animals by plants and other natural flora (fungi, etc.).


Food & Drug Administration – Center for Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, Dietary Supplements Poisonous Plant Database – http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/plantox/index.cfm The Poisonous Plant Database is a set of working files of scientific information about the animal and human toxicology of vascular plants of the world. The initial files were created in 1994, and are updated periodically.


MedWatch – http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/index.html MedWatch, the FDA Medical Products Reporting and Safety Information Program, serves both healthcare professionals and the medical product-using public. They provide important and timely clinical information about safety issues involving medical products, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, biologics, dietary supplements, and medical devices.


National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration  http://www.fda.gov/nctr/index.html The mission of the National Center for Toxicological Research is to conduct peer-reviewed scientific research that supports and anticipates the FDA’s current and future regulatory needs. This involves fundamental and applied research specifically designed to define biological mechanisms of action underlying the toxicity of products regulated by the FDA.


The following guidelines are based on the American Herbal Products Association Botanical Safety Index. The purpose of the Index is to create meaningful safety classifications and labeling recommendations for botanicals. The following safety data assumes the botanical will be used in a rational and informed manner. Illness or negative reactions can occur from excessive consumption, individual sensitivities and allergic reactions. Seek qualified expert advice before using a botanical with which you are unfamiliar.

Agar Agar This herb should be ingested only with adequate liquid. Not for use by persons with bowel obstruction.

Alfalfa Not recommended for use by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Aloes (Cape) Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Angelica Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons taking blood thinning agents. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

Arnica (excludes homeopathics) For external use only. Can cause allergic dermatitis with extended use or in sensitive persons.

Ashwagandha Not to be used during pregnancy.

Barberry Not to be used during pregnancy.

Bergamot, Wild Not to be used during pregnancy.

Black Cohosh Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.

Black Walnut Not recommended for long term use.

Bladderwrack Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing, or by persons with hyperthyroidism.

Blessed Thistle Not to be used during pregnancy.

Bloodroot Not to be used during pregnancy.

Blue Cohosh Not to be used during pregnancy.

Boldo Not to be used by persons with gallstones, serious liver conditions or obstruction of the bile duct.

Borage Not recommended for long term use. Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.

Broom Tops Not for use by persons taking MAO inhibitors or with high blood pressure.

Buchu Not to be used during pregnancy.

Buckthorn Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Calamus, European Not recommended for internal use.

Cascara Sagrada Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Catnip Not to be used during pregnancy.

Cayenne (capsules & extract only) Avoid contact with eyes or open wounds.

Chamomile, Roman Not to be used during pregnancy.

Chaste Tree Berries Not to be used during pregnancy.

Coltsfoot Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use. Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.

Comfrey For external use only. This herb should not be used on abraded skin and should not be used on unbroken skin for prolonged periods. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Coptis Not to be used during pregnancy.

Cornflowers Not to be used during pregnancy.

Cramp Bark Not recommended for use by persons taking blood-thinning agents.

Deer’s Tongue Use as an aromatic in potpourris or other crafts. Not for internal use.

Devil’s Claw Not recommended for use by persons with ulcers.

Dong Quai Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons taking blood-thinning agents.

Dyers Broom Flowers Not to be used during pregnancy.

Elecampane Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.

Ephedra (Ma Huang) Warning: Seek advice from a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination due to prostate enlargement or if taking an MAO inhibitor or any other prescription drug. Reduce or discontinue use if nervousness, tremor, sleeplessness, loss of appetite or nausea occur. Not intended for persons under 18 years of age. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

Eucalyptus Not to be used by persons with inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal and bile ducts and severe diseases of the liver.

False Unicorn Not to be used during pregnancy.

Flax Seed This herb should be ingested only with adequate liquid. Not for use by persons with bowel obstruction.

Garlic (capsules & extract only) Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.

Gentian Not to be used by persons with ulcers or when stomach irritation or inflammation is present.

Ginger (capsules only) Not to be used during pregnancy. Persons with gallstones should consult a health care practitioner before use.

Goldenrod Persons with chronic kidney disorders should consult a health care practitioner before use.

Goldenseal Root Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Guar This herb should be ingested only with adequate liquid. Not for use by persons with bowel obstruction.

Henna For external use only.

Hop Flowers Not recommended for use by persons suffering from depression.

Horehound Not to be used during pregnancy.

Hydrangea Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use.

Juniper Berries Not to be used for more than six weeks in succession. Persons with inflammatory kidney disease should not use this herb. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Lemongrass Not to be used during pregnancy.

Licorice Not for prolonged use except under the supervision of a qualified health practitioner. Prolonged use may cause hypertension, edema, headache, vertigo and potassium depletion. Not for use by persons with hypertension, hypokalemia, edema, cirrhosis of the liver and cholestatic liver disorders, and diabetes. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Lobelia May cause nausea and vomiting if ingested. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Lomatium (bulk herb) Not recommended for use by persons taking blood-thinning agents.

Lomatium (extract) Not recommended for use by persons taking blood-thinning agents. This product may cause a skin rash. Discontinue use if rash occurs.

Lovage Not recommended for use by persons taking blood-thinning agents or persons with impaired or inflamed kidneys.

Lycii Berries Not to be used during pregnancy.

Mace Caution: Large amounts of nutmeg or mace may cause dizziness, stomach pains, rapid pulse, nausea, anxiety, liver pain, double vision and coma.

Maidenhair Fern Not to be used during pregnancy. Large doses may act as an emetic.

Mistletoe Not for use by persons with protein hypersensitivity and chronic progressive infections such as tuberculosis and AIDS.

Motherwort Not to be used during pregnancy.

Mugwort Not to be used during pregnancy.

Mulberry Bark For decorative use only.

Mulberry Twig Not recommended for use by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Myrrh Not to be used during pregnancy.

Nutmeg Caution: Large amounts of nutmeg or mace may cause dizziness, stomach pains, rapid pulse, nausea, anxiety, liver pain, double vision and coma.

Oregon Grape Not to be used during pregnancy.

Osha Not to be used during pregnancy.

Parsley Root Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons with inflammatory kidney disease.

Pennyroyal, European Not to be used during pregnancy.

Periwinkle Not for use by persons with low blood pressure or hypotension.

Pleurisy Not to be used during pregnancy.

Prickly Ash Bark Not to be used during pregnancy.

Psyllium Seed This herb should be ingested only with adequate liquid. Not for use by persons with bowel obstruction.

Quassia Not to be used during pregnancy.

Queen of the Meadow Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use. Not to be used during pregnancy or while nursing.

Red Clover Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Rehmannia, Raw Not for use by persons with diarrhea and lack of appetite.

Rehmannia, Steamed Not for use by persons with diarrhea and indigestion.

Rhubarb Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Rue Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Safflower Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons with hemorrhagic diseases or peptic ulcers. Ingestion of this herb may prolong blood coagulation time.

Sage (extract only) Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Sandalwood, Yellow Not for use by persons with diseases of the parenchyma of the kidney.

Sarsaparilla, Indian Not recommended for use by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Sassafras Root Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use.

Senna Read and follow directions carefully. Do not use if you have or develop diarrhea, loose stools or abdominal pain. Consult your physician if you have frequent diarrhea. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.

Sheep Sorrel Not recommended for use by persons with a history of kidney stones.

Shepherd’s Purse Not to be used during pregnancy or by persons with a history of kidney stones.

Tansy Not to be used during pregnancy.

Tonka Use as an aromatic fixative in potpourris or other crafts. Not for internal use.

Turmeric (extract only) Not to be used during pregnancy.

Uva Ursi Not to be used during pregnancy.

Vetiver Not to be used during pregnancy.

White Oak Avoid application to extensively damaged skin.

Wild Cherry Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use.

Woodruff Not recommended for use by persons taking blood thinning agents.

Wormwood Use with caution. Avoid excessive or long term use. Not to be used during pregnancy.

Yarrow Not to be used during pregnancy.

Yellowdock Not recommended for use by persons with a history of kidney stones.

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