All That Is ‘Natural’ Isn’t Safe: Doctor Warns Against Blind Buying | Lifestyle News

Last Updated:October 24, 2025, 15:27 IST

The natural wellness culture has blurred the line between traditional medicine and commercial marketing. The message is simple: don’t assume what comes from nature can’t harm you.

Experts suggest that people should always consult a physician before starting any supplement — Ayurvedic or otherwise (Image: Canva)

At a time when “natural” and “Ayurvedic” products are flooding the wellness market, a leading hepatologist from Kerala has issued a stern warning that has grabbed national attention. Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, widely known as “The Liver Doc” on social media, has cautioned that several Ayurvedic and herbal supplements, marketed as safe and chemical-free, are silently damaging the liver and causing irreversible harm.

According to Dr. Philips, many people take these products believing they are harmless because they carry the “natural” or “Ayurvedic” label. However, his medical observations paint a worrying picture. “As a liver doctor, I see patients every day who take these ‘natural’ supplements and end up with abnormal liver tests,” he said in a recent video shared on Instagram.

The myth of “natural equals safe”

Dr. Philips explained that the biggest misconception among people is assuming that anything herbal or plant-based cannot cause harm. “Natural doesn’t mean safe,” he said. Unlike approved pharmaceutical drugs, many Ayurvedic and herbal supplements do not go through rigorous clinical testing or standardized dosage trials. “They are often sold without sufficient scientific validation, and many contain untested herbal blends or proprietary compounds,” he warned.

While Ayurveda is an ancient system with proven remedies when used correctly and prescribed by trained practitioners, the problem, according to Dr. Philips, lies in the unregulated market of over-the-counter Ayurvedic supplements and powders sold without proper certification or dosage clarity. These products often blend herbs, minerals, and chemicals in unknown proportions. Without strict quality checks, the risk of contamination, adulteration, or incorrect dosage increases sharply.

The hidden danger: liver damage

The liver acts as the body’s detox centre, filtering chemicals and toxins. However, when people consume unregulated supplements, especially in large quantities or for prolonged periods, the liver struggles to process them. Dr. Philips noted that certain herbs and minerals used in some commercial “Ayurvedic” formulations can trigger inflammation, leading to a condition known as drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

“Patients come with symptoms like fatigue, yellowing of the eyes, abdominal pain, or elevated liver enzymes,” he said. “In many cases, it begins as mild hepatitis but can progress to severe liver failure. Some even end up needing transplants.”

He cited instances where patients, unaware that their liver problems were linked to these supplements, continued taking them, worsening their condition. “By the time they reach a doctor, it’s often too late,” he added.

The problem with unregulated supplements

Unlike modern medicines, herbal and Ayurvedic products in India are not uniformly regulated. Many are sold under the “food supplement” category, which exempts them from the same level of clinical scrutiny that pharmaceutical drugs face. This means they can enter the market without rigorous safety trials or purity checks.

Dr. Philips pointed out that several such products have been found to contain harmful substances, including heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. “There is no clear labelling, and often the composition printed on the bottle doesn’t match what’s actually inside,” he said.

A recent study by the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) also noted that herbal-induced liver injury accounts for a growing number of liver failure cases worldwide. In India, where self-medication using herbal mixtures is common, the risk is even higher.

Why social media is making it worse

The doctor also expressed concern about the aggressive marketing of such supplements online. “People are influenced by Instagram and YouTube videos that show celebrities and influencers promoting these so-called miracle remedies,” he said. “They are marketed as solutions for everything — from hair fall to diabetes — with no proof or long-term safety data.”

Dr. Philips believes this trend has made it easy for misleading claims to spread faster than medical facts. He urged people to rely on qualified medical professionals and authentic Ayurvedic practitioners instead of falling for glossy advertisements.

What doctors recommend instead

Experts suggest that people should always consult a physician before starting any supplement — Ayurvedic or otherwise. “If you really want to use herbal remedies, do it under medical supervision,” Dr. Philips said. He emphasized that authentic Ayurveda, when practiced traditionally with proper diagnosis, dosage, and follow-up, is not the problem — it’s the misuse of its name in unregulated products that’s causing harm.

Doctors also advise regular liver function tests for individuals who take supplements frequently, especially those that claim detox or fat-burning effects. Additionally, people should be cautious about mixing multiple supplements, as the combination may amplify toxicity risks.

The rise of “natural wellness” culture has blurred the line between traditional medicine and commercial marketing. While Ayurveda remains a respected science, the unchecked sale of mass-produced herbal supplements poses real dangers. As Dr. Philips warns, “It’s good to understand that these products, even if marketed as natural or safe, can pose serious health risks.”

The message is simple: don’t assume that what comes from nature can’t harm you. Whether it’s Ayurvedic, herbal, or homeopathic — safety depends on science, not slogans. Before buying that next bottle of “natural” capsules, remember what The Liver Doc says — your liver may not forgive what your heart believes.

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The myth of “natural equals safe”

Dr. Philips explained that the biggest misconception among people is assuming that anything herbal or plant-based cannot cause harm. “Natural doesn’t mean safe,” he said. Unlike approved pharmaceutical drugs, many Ayurvedic and herbal supplements do not go through rigorous clinical testing or standardized dosage trials. “They are often sold without sufficient scientific validation, and many contain untested herbal blends or proprietary compounds,” he warned.

While Ayurveda is an ancient system with proven remedies when used correctly and prescribed by trained practitioners, the problem, according to Dr. Philips, lies in the unregulated market of over-the-counter Ayurvedic supplements and powders sold without proper certification or dosage clarity. These products often blend herbs, minerals, and chemicals in unknown proportions. Without strict quality checks, the risk of contamination, adulteration, or incorrect dosage increases sharply.

The hidden danger: liver damage

The liver acts as the body’s detox centre, filtering chemicals and toxins. However, when people consume unregulated supplements, especially in large quantities or for prolonged periods, the liver struggles to process them. Dr. Philips noted that certain herbs and minerals used in some commercial “Ayurvedic” formulations can trigger inflammation, leading to a condition known as drug-induced liver injury (DILI).

“Patients come with symptoms like fatigue, yellowing of the eyes, abdominal pain, or elevated liver enzymes,” he said. “In many cases, it begins as mild hepatitis but can progress to severe liver failure. Some even end up needing transplants.”

He cited instances where patients, unaware that their liver problems were linked to these supplements, continued taking them, worsening their condition. “By the time they reach a doctor, it’s often too late,” he added.

The problem with unregulated supplements

Unlike modern medicines, herbal and Ayurvedic products in India are not uniformly regulated. Many are sold under the “food supplement” category, which exempts them from the same level of clinical scrutiny that pharmaceutical drugs face. This means they can enter the market without rigorous safety trials or purity checks.

Dr. Philips pointed out that several such products have been found to contain harmful substances, including heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. “There is no clear labelling, and often the composition printed on the bottle doesn’t match what’s actually inside,” he said.

A recent study by the U.S. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) also noted that herbal-induced liver injury accounts for a growing number of liver failure cases worldwide. In India, where self-medication using herbal mixtures is common, the risk is even higher.

Why social media is making it worse

The doctor also expressed concern about the aggressive marketing of such supplements online. “People are influenced by Instagram and YouTube videos that show celebrities and influencers promoting these so-called miracle remedies,” he said. “They are marketed as solutions for everything — from hair fall to diabetes — with no proof or long-term safety data.”

Dr. Philips believes this trend has made it easy for misleading claims to spread faster than medical facts. He urged people to rely on qualified medical professionals and authentic Ayurvedic practitioners instead of falling for glossy advertisements.

What doctors recommend instead

Experts suggest that people should always consult a physician before starting any supplement — Ayurvedic or otherwise. “If you really want to use herbal remedies, do it under medical supervision,” Dr. Philips said. He emphasized that authentic Ayurveda, when practiced traditionally with proper diagnosis, dosage, and follow-up, is not the problem — it’s the misuse of its name in unregulated products that’s causing harm.

Doctors also advise regular liver function tests for individuals who take supplements frequently, especially those that claim detox or fat-burning effects. Additionally, people should be cautious about mixing multiple supplements, as the combination may amplify toxicity risks.

The rise of “natural wellness” culture has blurred the line between traditional medicine and commercial marketing. While Ayurveda remains a respected science, the unchecked sale of mass-produced herbal supplements poses real dangers. As Dr. Philips warns, “It’s good to understand that these products, even if marketed as natural or safe, can pose serious health risks.”

The message is simple: don’t assume that what comes from nature can’t harm you. Whether it’s Ayurvedic, herbal, or homeopathic — safety depends on science, not slogans. Before buying that next bottle of “natural” capsules, remember what The Liver Doc says — your liver may not forgive what your heart believes.

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