Are ointments with plant ingredients safer?

Not necessarily.

When discussing the safety of plant-based ointments, it is important to first clarify that any drug or therapeutic product, whether or not its ingredients are plant-based, should be subject to rigorous scientific verification and approval by regulatory agencies. Plant-based ingredients do not inherently equate to "safety."

Botanical ointments are diverse and may contain a variety of active ingredients, which may work and be safer in different individuals. For example, some plant extracts may have anti-inflammatory or antibacterial properties, but they may also cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people.

Another point is that the quality and ingredients of plant ointments may vary due to different extraction methods and sources, resulting in unstable efficacy or unknown risks. Certain plant ingredients may interact with other drugs, affecting efficacy or increasing side effects. In contrast, synthetic drugs have undergone rigorous clinical trials and regulatory reviews during the development process, and their ingredients and dosages are more precise, side effects are more clear, and risks are usually known and controllable.

Therefore, when choosing a drug, one should not judge its safety based solely on whether it is "natural" or not, but should base it on scientific evidence and the doctor's advice. Whether it is a plant ingredient or a synthetic ingredient, the safety of a drug depends on the results of its scientific research and clinical trials. As a patient, you should read the product instructions carefully, understand its ingredients and potential side effects, and consult a medical professional if necessary.

Author: Tang Jiaoqing, MD, attending physician of dermatology

Review | Feng Jun, deputy chief physician of the Dermatology Department of Sinopharm Tongmei General Hospital