Using Herbs Safely & Responsibly
Safety is the foundation of good herbalism. This section provides essential information to help you use plants confidently and responsibly.
⚠️ Essential Safety Principles
The Golden Rules
- Positive Identification is Mandatory
- Be 100% certain before consuming any plant
- Use multiple reliable sources to confirm ID
- When in doubt, don’t consume
- Some poisonous plants look very similar to medicinal ones
- Start Small
- Begin with tiny amounts to test for reactions
- Allergies can develop at any time
- Sensitivities vary from person to person
- Build dosage gradually if appropriate
- Quality Matters
- Source herbs from reputable suppliers
- Avoid contaminated or poorly stored herbs
- Check for freshness (color, smell, appearance)
- Organic reduces pesticide exposure
- Knowledge is Power
- Learn about each herb before using it
- Understand contraindications and warnings
- Know proper dosing ranges
- Research potential drug interactions
- Professional Guidance for Serious Conditions
- Herbs are not replacements for emergency care
- Serious conditions need professional diagnosis
- Work with qualified practitioners
- Herbs can complement but not replace medical care
🌿 Plant Identification Safety
Critical Identification Skills
Before Foraging ANY Plant:
✓ Use at least two reliable field guides
✓ Confirm all identifying features (leaf, stem, flower, root, smell)
✓ Learn look-alike species that might be dangerous
✓ Take clear photos for later reference
✓ Join identification walks with experienced foragers
✓ Start with easy-to-identify plants with no toxic look-alikes
Read: Herb Identification Guide
Common Dangerous Look-Alikes in NZ
Be Extra Cautious With:
Hemlock vs. Queen Anne’s Lace
- Hemlock is DEADLY poisonous
- Very similar appearance
- Key differences: hemlock has purple spots on stem, unpleasant smell
Arum Lily vs. Edible Plants
- All parts toxic
- Can cause severe mouth burning
- Never consume any part
Karaka Berries
- Native NZ plant
- Unprocessed berries are toxic
- Traditional preparation methods required
General Rule: If you cannot confidently identify a plant with multiple confirming features, DO NOT consume it.
🚫 Poisonous Plants to Avoid
Never Use These Plants:
Common Toxic Plants in NZ:
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum) – DEADLY
- Oleander – DEADLY
- Foxglove – Heart toxic
- Datura/Brugmansia – Hallucinogenic, dangerous
- Autumn Crocus – Multi-organ toxin
- Arum Lily – Mouth/throat irritant
- Karaka (unprocessed) – Nervous system toxin
- Tutu – DEADLY
If Poisoning is Suspected:
- Call National Poisons Centre: 0800 POISON (0800 764 766)
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Bring plant sample if possible
- Do NOT induce vomiting unless advised
💊 Drug Interactions
Herbs Can Interact with Medications
High-Risk Interactions
St. John’s Wort:
- Reduces effectiveness of many drugs
- Birth control pills
- Antidepressants
- Blood thinners
- Transplant drugs
Garlic (high doses):
- Blood-thinning medications
- Anticoagulants
- Pre-surgery (stop 2 weeks before)
Ginkgo:
- Blood thinners
- Anti-seizure medications
- Diabetes medications
Liquorice:
- Blood pressure medications
- Diuretics
- Corticosteroids
Read: Complete Drug Interactions Guide
Always Inform Healthcare Providers
Tell your doctor/pharmacist about:
- All herbs you’re taking
- Supplements and vitamins
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Topical herbal preparations
Especially Important Before:
- Surgery (stop most herbs 2 weeks prior)
- Starting new medications
- Pregnancy or trying to conceive
- Any medical procedure
🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation
Special Precautions Required
Generally Safe Herbs During Pregnancy:
- Chamomile (moderate amounts in tea)
- Ginger (for nausea, first trimester)
- Red Raspberry Leaf (second/third trimester only)
- Nettle (nutritive support)
- Oatstraw (nutritive)
Herbs to AVOID During Pregnancy:
- Angelica
- Black Cohosh
- Blue Cohosh
- Dong Quai
- Fenugreek (high doses)
- Juniper
- Mugwort
- Pennyroyal
- Rue
- Tansy
- Wormwood
Always consult qualified practitioners before using ANY herbs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
👶 Children’s Safety
Extra Caution Required
General Guidelines:
Dosing for Children:
- Significantly lower than adult doses
- Calculate by weight, not age
- Start with very small amounts
- Use gentlest herbs
Child-Safe Herbs:
- Chamomile
- Lemon Balm
- Calendula (topical)
- Plantain (topical)
- Oats
- Elderberry (properly prepared)
Herbs to Avoid for Children:
- Stimulating herbs
- Strong laxatives
- Hormonal herbs
- Essential oils (undiluted)
- Anything toxic in even small doses
Age Guidelines:
- Under 2 years: Avoid internal herbs except under professional guidance
- 2-6 years: Very gentle herbs only, tiny doses
- 6-12 years: Expanded range, still lower doses
- 12+ years: Approaching adult protocols
⚕️ Contraindications & Warnings
When NOT to Use Certain Herbs
Medical Conditions Requiring Caution:
Heart Conditions:
- Avoid stimulating herbs
- Caution with blood pressure herbs
- Check interactions carefully
Liver Disease:
- Avoid hepatotoxic herbs
- Use liver herbs only under guidance
- Some herbs contraindicated
Kidney Disease:
- Avoid diuretic herbs
- Careful with mineral-rich herbs
- Check contraindications
Autoimmune Conditions:
- Immune-stimulating herbs may aggravate
- Work with qualified practitioners
- Individual responses vary
Bleeding Disorders:
- Avoid blood-thinning herbs
- Stop before surgery
- Careful monitoring required
Read: General Herbal Safety Guide
📏 Proper Dosing
Using Herbs in Safe Amounts
General Principles:
Teas/Infusions:
- Start with 1 cup per day
- Standard dose: 1-3 cups daily
- Allow time to assess effects
- More is not always better
Tinctures:
- Follow recommended dropperful amounts
- Standard: 2-4ml, 2-3 times daily
- Dilute in water
- Take with food if stomach sensitive
Topical Applications:
- Test on small area first
- Apply to clean skin
- Stop if irritation occurs
- Less sensitive areas first
Duration:
- Acute conditions: Days to 2 weeks
- Chronic support: Weeks to months
- Regular breaks recommended
- Reassess regularly
🌍 Sustainable & Ethical Harvesting
Safety for Plants and Ecosystems
Foraging Ethics:
The 10% Rule:
- Never harvest more than 10% of any plant population
- Leave plenty for wildlife and reproduction
- Some plants require even more conservation
Protected Species:
- Never harvest threatened or endangered plants
- Know regional protected species lists
- Respect cultural significance (taonga)
Sacred & Cultural Plants:
- Māori plants have cultural protocols
- Seek permission and guidance
- Harvest respectfully with karakia
- Some knowledge is not for sharing
Land Permission:
- Get permission on private land
- Know DOC regulations
- Respect council parks rules
- Check if permits required
Read: Foraging Guide
🧪 Quality & Storage Safety
Preventing Contamination & Degradation
Storage Guidelines:
Dried Herbs:
- Airtight containers
- Cool, dark, dry location
- Label with name and date
- Shelf life: 1-2 years typically
Tinctures:
- Dark glass bottles
- Cool location
- Shelf life: 3-5+ years
- Check for cloudiness or off smell
Oils & Salves:
- Dark containers
- Cool location (some in fridge)
- Shelf life: 6-12 months typically
- Check for rancidity
Signs of Degradation:
- Loss of color
- Loss of smell
- Mold or moisture
- Off odours
- Discard if questionable
📞 When to Seek Professional Help
Knowing Your Limits
Seek Medical Care For:
Immediate (Emergency):
- Severe allergic reactions
- Suspected poisoning
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Severe bleeding
Prompt Care:
- Symptoms worsening despite treatment
- No improvement after reasonable time
- Uncertain diagnosis
- High fever
- Severe pain
- Symptoms in vulnerable populations
Professional Herbalist Consult:
- Complex chronic conditions
- Multiple medications
- Pregnancy/lactation
- Vulnerable populations
- Formulation guidance
- Contraindication questions
📚 Understanding Labels & Products
Commercial Herbal Product Safety
Read: Understanding Labels Guide
What to Look For:
Quality Indicators:
- Scientific name (genus/species)
- Part of plant used
- Batch/lot number
- Expiration date
- Organic certification (if applicable)
- Third-party testing
- Contact information
Red Flags:
- Miraculous claims
- “Cures” diseases
- No contact information
- Unclear ingredients
- Too-good-to-be-true pricing
- Pressure to buy
✓ Safety Checklist
Before Using Any Herb:
□ Positive plant identification (if foraging)
□ Researched herb’s uses and contraindications
□ Checked for drug interactions
□ Confirmed safe for your health conditions
□ Confirmed safe for your age group
□ Understand proper preparation method
□ Know correct dosage range
□ Have plan to monitor effects
□ Know when to discontinue use
□ Have healthcare provider’s awareness (if appropriate)
🎓 Continuing Education
Staying Safe Through Knowledge
Keep Learning:
- Attend safety-focused workshops
- Read updated herbal texts
- Follow reputable herbalists
- Join professional organizations
- Stay current on research
- Learn from experienced practitioners
Question Everything:
- Don’t rely on single sources
- Verify information
- Understand mechanisms
- Know your limits
- Seek guidance when uncertain
📖 Safety Resources
Recommended Reading:
Emergency Contacts:
- National Poisons Centre: 0800 POISON (0800 764 766)
- Healthline: 0800 611 116
- Emergency Services: 111
Safety is not about fear—it’s about respect. Respect for plants, for your body, for traditional knowledge, and for the power of nature. Informed, cautious use allows you to experience the benefits of herbs while minimising risks.
When you practice herbalism safely, you protect yourself, the plants, and the reputation of herbalism for future generations.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare practitioners for medical concerns, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have known health conditions.
The Public Herbarium 