I’ve seen it time and time again. Bright lights in the world, people called to heal, to teach, to guide, extinguished by a system that was not designed to support them. Practitioners who only wanted to help, to share the wisdom of the Earth, to offer natural alternatives that have stood the test of time, suddenly silenced. Not because they did harm, but because they weren’t authorized.
If you’re someone who dares to speak about baking soda, colloidal silver, essential oils, or raw honey in a healing context, you may already know the risk. It’s not a theoretical risk—it’s real. Censorship. Fines. Revocation of licenses. Even criminal prosecution.
And not necessarily because the remedies themselves are dangerous, but because they are not authorized by the institutional powers that be—agencies like the FDA, FTC, or state medical boards. And if you’re not aligned with a recognized practice authority like a registered Natural Alternative Specialist (NAS), then you’re wide open. Unprotected. Vulnerable.
Why NAS Alignment Matters
Becoming a registered NAS isn’t just a badge. It’s a shield. It’s a declaration that you honor your role as a steward of natural healing while understanding how to legally and ethically offer support, education, and information to your clients, without making unauthorized medical claims. When you’re aligned with a credible body that authorizes your practice under protected frameworks, you’re not pretending to be a doctor. You’re stepping into your role as a facilitator of knowledge, a guide for informed choices, and a partner in self-directed wellness.
And that distinction might be the very thing that keeps you from being the next cautionary tale.
Get Acquainted with Reality
Let’s explore just a few natural substances—and the legal firestorm they’ve triggered for those unaware or unprotected:
| Natural Substance | Why It’s Controversial / Risky |
| Baking Soda | Promoted in cancer protocols (Dr. Simoncini) now considered dangerous by authorities. |
| Apricot Kernels / B17 | Contains amygdalin, can produce cyanide. Banned by FDA, though used in natural cancer therapies. |
| Colloidal Silver | Warned against by FDA for internal use due to rare cases of skin discoloration (argyria). |
| Essential Oils | Major MLMs like doTERRA and Young Living fined for making unapproved health claims. |
| Kratom | Legal in some states, banned in others. Linked to class-action lawsuits and death reports. |
| Hydrogen Peroxide (35%) | Promoted for oxygen therapy, but high-strength ingestion can be fatal. |
| Raw Milk | Legal in some states, banned in others. Subject of raids and lawsuits. |
| Black Salve | Used to treat skin cancer. Labeled a dangerous escharotic and banned in some areas. |
| Turpentine | Revived by alternative healers but officially considered toxic and controversial. |
| DMSO | FDA warnings and legal investigations into off-label use. Still widely used underground. |
| Chlorine Dioxide (MMS) | Demonized as “industrial bleach.” Several convictions and prison sentences. |
| Ozone Therapy | Banned in many U.S. states despite medical use abroad. Clinics shut down for COVID claims. |
| Bee Venom Therapy | Considered too risky due to the potential for anaphylaxis. Faces growing liability scrutiny. |
| Gelsemium | Toxic in raw form; only used in high-dilution homeopathy. Authorities warn against casual use. |
| Raw Cannabis Leaves | Still federally restricted despite growing acceptance. Used non-psychoactively in juicing. |
| Comfrey | Topical use permitted; internal use banned over liver toxicity concerns. |
| Kombucha | Safe when prepared correctly, but the FDA warns against health claims. |
Why Practitioners Are Targeted
This isn’t just about protecting the public from harm; it’s about protecting the monopoly. The legal system is now the weapon of choice in a war against natural, non-pharmaceutical healing.
Practitioners have faced:
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- Targeting by licensing boards (naturopaths, chiropractors, and holistic providers)
- Censorship of free speech on health matters
- Entrapment by undercover agents pretending to be patients
- FDA/FTC enforcement accusations of vague “unauthorized medical claims”
These crackdowns protect centralized medicine, not always public safety. Most of the remedies listed above come with centuries, even millennia, of traditional use and powerful anecdotal records. Yet speaking of them in the wrong context, without the proper authorization, can cost you everything.
Case Studies: When Help Becomes a Crime
Let’s take a look at real individuals and organizations who face serious consequences for speaking too freely:
⚖️ Colloidal Silver
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- Gordon Pedersen (Utah): Posed as a doctor, sold silver as a COVID cure. Indicted, company pleaded guilty.
- Dr. Rima Laibow (NJ): DOJ filed complaint to stop her “nano silver” COVID marketing.
- Silver Armor (GA): FDA warning letter issued for unsubstantiated claims.
⚖️ Black Salve
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- Australia: Supplier charged with illegal promotion; potential 12-month jail term per offense.
- TGA Raids: Black salve and B17 seized from unlicensed importer.
⚖️ Chlorine Dioxide (MMS)
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- Grenon Family: 4 members convicted; sentences up to 12½ years for selling MMS as a cure-all.
- Louis Daniel Smith: Convicted of conspiracy and smuggling MMS.
- Canada & Uganda: Arrests and fines for unauthorized distribution.
⚖️ DMSO
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- 1980s Crackdowns: Publicity led to FDA warnings and legal investigations. Conspiracy charges filed against promoter and FDA official.
⚖️ Turpentine
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- Georgia (2006): Criminal child abuse charges over turpentine ingestion.
- Dr. Jennifer Daniels: Pushed out for promoting turpentine as an alternative treatment.
Raw Milk
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- Amos Miller (PA): Ongoing litigation over unregulated raw dairy sales.
- California Raid (2011): Health food store shut down for selling raw milk.
Essential Oils
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- Young Living: FDA warning and $5M class-action lawsuit settlement.
- doTERRA: FTC reprimands for false COVID-19 prevention claims.
Kratom
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- Wrongful Death Lawsuits: $11M+ judgments over kratom-induced deaths.
- Regulatory Pressure: 40+ class actions filed; legality varies by state.
Hydrogen Peroxide
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- FDA Warnings: Ingesting high-concentration H2O2 deemed life-threatening.
- COVID Death Lawsuit: Family sued clinic over peroxide/ozone fatality.
⚙️ Ozone Therapy
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- Texas & Sydney Clinics: Shut down or banned due to patient harm.
- Malaysia: Raids on underground ozone therapy providers.
Bee Venom Therapy
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- Beekeeper Liability: Rising lawsuits and warnings from medical associations.
Comfrey & Kombucha
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- Comfrey: Banned internally; topically allowed in some regions.
- Kombucha: FDA warns against health claims, especially in COVID era.
Your Role in This New Era of Healing
If you feel called to speak truth, to share what works, to help others reclaim their health naturally—you must protect yourself. Align with a recognized practice authority like becoming a Registered Natural Alternative Specialist (NAS). This alignment doesn’t restrict your voice—it empowers it.
Instead of hiding, hoping not to get caught, or minimizing your message, step into your calling with protection and purpose. The NAS designation gives you the framework to offer natural education legally, ethically, and confidently. You’ll know what you can and can’t say. You’ll build trust, not fear. And you’ll protect your future from being sabotaged by misunderstanding, overreach, or attack.
Make A Stand for a Better World
We are at a turning point in history. The public is awakening to natural healing in greater numbers than ever before. But this revolution needs leaders—not martyrs. If you are one of those called to share what you know, do it from a place of wisdom. Be smart. Be safe. Be authorized.
Because the work you do matters.
And the world is waiting.
— David M. Masters