Let's start February with a quiz. A one-question quiz. Are you ready? Here it is: True or false--If something is "natural" it must be good for you. Answer quickly now, your first instinct, and no cheating by looking further ahead. And the answer is......False, obviously. I will bet that most of you got it right, and you should give yourselves a pat on the back. For those few that missed it, think about peanuts, which are wholesome and healthy--and are death in a shell to some people. Even besides allergies, many natural plants and herbs are not so good for you, and the effects can vary from unpleasant or uncomfortable, all the way to deadly. Consider these examples:
Poison ivy (and poison oak and sumac) If there is any redeeming quality or useful purpose to these plants, I don't know what it is. Most people who have contact with them will develop an itchy rash ranging in severity from slightly annoying to life threatening. And don't be too confident if you seem to be "immune" to poison ivy--sensitivity can develop over time. About 15% of people can somehow claim complete immunity.
Foxglove Big, beautiful, showy foxgloves look great in the garden. But their Latin name is Digitalis. Sound familiar? Yep, don't put the leaves in a salad! They cause a dangerously irregular heart rhythm.
Castor beans The castor plant is lovely, and castor oil does have medicinal value. But raw castor beans are so deadly that this plant is considered to be the most poisonous plant in the world. As few as two beans can be a lethal dose for an adult.
Mistletoe Easily visible in the leafless trees in Tennessee this time of year, the berries are fatal if eaten.
Azaleas, rhubarb leaf, and lily of the valley are all poisonous to humans if ingested. Of course there are many, many more, but I think we've made our point that all-natural doesn't mean healthy. This list just encompasses those found in my own yard!
But, more to the point for our purposes, what about the herbs we use here at Coyote Cove, and what about the warning labels that appear on a few of our products? How dangerous are they? Here's the scoop on every Coyote Cove product with a warning label:
Joint Ointment The label reads "Do not use if pregnant or nursing". These two populations--those with aching joints and pregnant or nursing mothers--seldom overlap, so this doesn't come up very often. But for those who are curious, here is the explanation. The Joint Ointment contains four different herbs which appear on some lists of herbs to avoid during pregnancy. They are: juniper, marjoram, rosemary, and peppermint. However, these lists are usually talking about oral consumption in large quantities, not the topical use as in an ointment. And yes, I do make other products that contain peppermint and rosemary that don't carry the same warning. It's the high concentration of the herbs in the Joint Ointment that warrants the warning, as well as the fact that there are four different herbs contraindicated during pregnancy, all in the same product. The same sources that list peppermint as a potentially dangerous herb during pregnancy also recommend peppermint tea for morning sickness! So it's all about the quantity ingested. My personal belief is that the Joint Ointment is safe used topically during pregnancy, but it would be irresponsible of me to not make potential users aware of even a slight or unlikely danger associated with its use. If you are expecting or nursing and have joint pain, do your research, and if you have any doubts, do not use it Your health and that of your precious baby are too important!Sinus Ointment (and oil) This label says "Do not use if you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, or are pregnant." The sinus products have two herbs in common with the Joint Ointment. They both contain rosemary and peppermint. The sinus products also contain basil and eucalyptus. The quality most of these essential oils share is that they are stimulants, which does not mean the same thing to an aromatherapist as it does to a lay person. Herbal stimulants do not make you nervous or jittery, or give you excessive energy. Instead, they stimulate the body to work better, more efficiently. But in the case of uncontrolled hypertension and epilepsy, as well as in pregnancy, you would rather have a gentle relaxation of the body tissues, not a stimulation. I do believe that the topical use of the sinus products is safe, but, again, if you have any doubts, don't use them. Better to be safe than sorry.
Bug Voyage We make our natural insect repellent in three formulations: as a spray, a lotion, and an oil, and only the oil carries the warning label referring to pregnancy. This is because of the concentration of the herbal essential oil--only the oil is strong enough to warrant a warning. I always recommend the lightest concentration--the spray--to children and pregnant women. The questionable herb in this product is cedarwood, which again is an aromatherapy stimulant. As with my other products, I believe this is safe, but since lighter concentrations exist (the spray and the lotion) which are also effective, I do recommend them.
Muscle Relief Oil The label reads "Do not use if you have a history of high blood pressure ore epilepsy, or if you are pregnant". The herbs in question here are our (by now) familiar culprits: rosemary and eucalyptus. I really should change these labels from "Do not use...." to "Use with caution if....." don't you think? And I still think even that might be an overstatement. Maybe I should just warn against eating these products in large amounts!
So there you have it. I personally think that all Coyote Cove products are safe for everyone, if used as recommended. However (and it is a big however) everyone is different, plants are powerful, and we are all responsible for educating ourselves regarding our health care. So I put warning labels on my products where they are even minimally indicated. That's my responsibility to you, to make you aware of even the slightest potential of dangerous herbs. Your responsibility to yourself is to weigh the risks and balances and make wise decisions. I trust my Coyote Cove customers. And, as always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
