That candle smells like lavender and says “all-natural”—so it must be safe… right?

We’re conditioned to trust anything labeled “natural” as gentle, non-toxic, and good for us. But in Functional Medicine, we often take a closer look at what these labels actually mean—and how even nature-derived scents can affect the body in ways we don’t always expect.

Let’s break down the myth that natural scents are always harmless—and explore what you need to know to protect your health.

What Does “Natural” Really Mean?

The word “natural” is one of the most misleading marketing terms out there. Unlike the word “organic,” which is regulated by the USDA, “natural” has no standard definition when it comes to personal care or cleaning products.

A product labeled “natural fragrance” might contain a few essential oils—or dozens of unnamed chemicals extracted from plants (or even derived synthetically). Companies aren’t legally required to list each component of a fragrance blend. That means a “natural scent” could still include allergens, hormone-disrupting compounds, or ingredients that irritate your lungs or skin.

Natural Doesn’t Always Mean Non-Toxic

Essential oils and plant extracts can absolutely have therapeutic benefits—but they’re also potent bioactive compounds. In fact, that’s exactly why they work. But potency comes with responsibility. Here’s why:

• Essential oils can trigger sensitivities. Even oils like lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus can irritate the skin, eyes, or lungs—especially when used undiluted or diffused in small spaces.
• Some oils are hormone disruptors. Research suggests that certain essential oils, such as lavender and tea tree, may have weak estrogenic or anti-androgenic effects—potentially influencing hormone balance in sensitive individuals.
• Citrus oils can be phototoxic. Oils like bergamot, lemon, or lime can increase the risk of sunburn when applied to the skin and then exposed to UV light.
• “Natural fragrance” is still a mystery blend. This label is often used to avoid listing dozens of potentially irritating substances that don’t meet the threshold for synthetic classification—but may still trigger health concerns.

A Functional Medicine Perspective

In Functional Medicine, we look at how your body interacts with your environment. Even “healthy” substances can burden the liver, immune system, or detox pathways—especially if those systems are already overwhelmed.

We often see patients struggling with:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Autoimmune flares
• Headaches or migraines
• Skin issues like eczema
• Chronic fatigue or brain fog
• Chemical sensitivities
  
  

For people dealing with these conditions, even mild exposures—like the “natural” candle burning in a yoga studio or the peppermint oil diffusing at home—can be enough to tip the scale and create symptoms.

Who’s Most at Risk?

While anyone can react to natural scents, some people are more vulnerable:

• Children have smaller, developing detox systems and breathe more rapidly.
• Pregnant women may be more sensitive to fragrance exposures, and fetal development can be affected by certain compounds.
• People with chronic illness, asthma, or autoimmune disease often have less resilience to environmental triggers.
• Those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) can have debilitating symptoms from even trace exposures.

Safer Choices You Can Make

If you love a good-smelling space (and who doesn’t?), you don’t have to give up pleasant aromas—you just have to get more intentional about how you use them.

Tips to reduce scent-related toxic burden:

• Choose fragrance-free products (not just “unscented”—which may still include masking fragrances).
• Use essential oils sparingly, always diluted, and avoid diffusing in enclosed spaces for long periods.
• Avoid burning candles with “natural fragrance” or soy candles with added oils unless you know exactly what’s in them.
• Improve indoor air quality with HEPA filters, houseplants, and ventilation, not synthetic or natural scent cover-ups.
• When in doubt, less is more. Your body will thank you.
  

Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore the Signals

Just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Your body is smart—and if it reacts with a headache, rash, or brain fog after using a scented product, it’s worth paying attention.

In Functional Medicine, we’re not anti-nature—we’re pro-awareness. We believe in empowering you with knowledge so you can make choices that truly support your health and healing.

Be curious.

Read labels.

Trust your symptoms. And don’t fall for the myth.

Resources:

• FDA – Fragrances in Cosmetics
  https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics
  
• Environmental Working Group (EWG) – Why You Should Avoid Products with “Fragrance”
  https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/why-you-should-avoid-products-fragrance
  
• New England Journal of Medicine – Lavender and Tea Tree Oils as Endocrine Disruptors
  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa064725
  
• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology – Essential Oils May Smell Good, But They Can Cause Allergic Reactions
  https://acaai.org/news/essential-oils-may-smell-good-but-they-can-cause-allergic-reactions/
  
• National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) – Safety Information
  https://naha.org/index.php/explore-aromatherapy/safety
  
• Toxics Use Reduction Institute – Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Essential Oils: A Review of the Literature
  https://www.turi.org/TURI_Publications/TURI_Reports/Multiple_Chemical_Sensitivities_and_Essential_Oils_A_Review_of_the_Literature
  
• American Lung Association – Fragrance and Air Quality
  https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/fragrances