Herbal & Garden Safety Notes

Growing herbs is gentle work, but herbs themselves are not always gentle. Please read these notes before trying any kitchen apothecary preparation from Herb & Hollow.

This is not medical advice

Our kitchen apothecary articles describe culinary uses of herbs and simple home preparations like teas, dried blends, herb salts and infused oils. They are written for general education. They don't diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness, and they can't account for your health history. If you want to use an herb for a health reason, speak with a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified health professional first.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Many herbs that are safe in the amounts used in cooking are not recommended in larger or concentrated amounts, such as strong teas, tinctures, capsules or essential oils, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Evidence on safety is often limited. Check with your midwife, obstetrician or doctor before using herbs beyond ordinary cooking amounts.

Medications and health conditions

Herbs can interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines. St. John's wort is a well-known example that affects how the body processes many medications, including some antidepressants, birth control pills and blood thinners. If you take any regular medication, have a chronic condition, or are scheduled for surgery, ask your pharmacist or doctor before using herbs medicinally.

Allergies

Chamomile, calendula and echinacea belong to the daisy family (Asteraceae). People allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums or related plants may react to them. Try a small amount first, and stop if you notice itching, swelling or difficulty breathing.

Children

Children are more sensitive to herbs and essential oils than adults. Ask a pediatrician before giving herbal teas or preparations to a child. Never give honey, including herbal honey, to a baby under 12 months old, because of the risk of infant botulism.

Know your plant

Use only plants you have positively identified. Buy seeds and starts labeled with botanical names when you can.
Our images are often AI-generated illustrations. Never use them, or any single photo, to identify a plant.
Herb & Hollow does not publish wild foraging guides for eating.
Only eat flowers and leaves from plants that haven't been treated with pesticides, unless the product is labeled for edible crops and you've followed its waiting period before harvest.

Some plants have well-documented toxicity. We don't publish instructions for ingesting pennyroyal, for internal use of comfrey, or for any herb that reliable health sources warn against consuming.

Pets in the garden and home

Plants that are harmless to people can be dangerous to animals.

Lilies (true lilies and daylilies) can cause kidney failure in cats, even in small amounts, including pollen and the water in a vase.
The ASPCA lists several common herbs, including chamomile, lavender, oregano and mint, as toxic to cats and dogs. Effects are often mild stomach upset, but it is worth placing them out of reach.
Essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus and peppermint can be harmful to cats and dogs, whether licked, absorbed through the skin or inhaled from a diffuser.
Cocoa bean mulch, slug and snail bait, fertilizers and moldy compost can poison pets. Store them securely.

Before adding a new plant to a home with animals, check it on the ASPCA's toxic and non-toxic plant list.

Infused oils and food safety

Oils infused with fresh garlic or fresh herbs can provide conditions for Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism, if kept at room temperature. Follow current guidance from the USDA and university extension services: in general, keep fresh-herb and garlic oils refrigerated and use them within about four days, or freeze them. Infusing with thoroughly dried herbs lowers the risk. Our infused oil guides spell out the method for each recipe.

Garden products and physical safety

Follow the label on every fertilizer, pesticide and soil amendment. The label instructions are legally binding for pesticides in the U.S.
Wear gloves when handling potting mix and compost, and wash your hands afterward.
Large containers full of wet soil are heavy. Check your building's rules and balcony weight limits, and secure railing planters so they cannot fall.
Use sharp tools with care and keep them out of reach of children.

In an emergency

If someone may have swallowed a toxic plant or preparation, or is having a reaction:

U.S. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222, open 24 hours
Emergency services: call 911 in the U.S., or your local emergency number
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply)
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661 (a consultation fee may apply)

Questions or concerns

If you think any article on Herb & Hollow needs a stronger safety note, email [email protected] with the subject "Safety." We review those messages first. You can read more about our process in the editorial guidelines.