**6. Conclusion**

The folkloric use of medicinal plants has been justified by their constituents of active principles. However, the safety attributable to these natural products is overestimated. There are harmful substances found in plant materials as a result of natural processes. Unfortunately, these processes are reflecting an ecosystem situation and exposure that is far from that of a pristine environment. However, these facts seem to be overshadowed by the views of the "naturalists" who understand nature as pristine, pure, and harmless. Exposure to these natural toxins through herbal preparations and its attendant risks to human health may surge higher under this assumption that if a compound is natural, it is automatically safe. Caution should, therefore, be taken in the use of medicinal plants for treatment of various health conditions against the backdrop of poor regulation of herbal medicines.

We recommend the scientific determination of the safety profile of medicinal plants before use in therapy. In addition, appropriate regulatory agencies should intensify the monitoring of these phytomedicines to ascertain that they meet set regulatory standards, as their being natural does not mean being safe.

### **Acknowledgements**

The authors acknowledge Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, for making her library facilities accessible to the authors for the accomplishment of the book chapter.

*Natural Does Not Mean Safe DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.104732*
