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Results 641-660 of 3153

NatMed
Iron
Iron is a mineral. Most of the iron in the body is found in red blood cells and muscle cells. Food sources include meat, fish, beans, spinach, and cereal. Iron helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to cells all over the body. Iron also plays a role in many important functions in the body. People commonly use iron for preventing and treating different types of anemia caused by low iron levels. It is also used for ADHD, child development, fatigue, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
NatMed
Isatis
Isatis (Isatis tinctoria) is a plant with small yellow flowers. It grows in China. The leaves and roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Isatis may reduce fever and swelling. It also contains chemicals that might keep cancer cells from multiplying. People use isatis for aging skin, scaly itchy skin (psoriasis), diarrhea, prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
NatMed
Skunk Cabbage
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is a plant native to swamps and wetlands in North America. It gets its name from the unpleasant odor it releases. Skunk cabbage root is used as medicine. But it contains calcium oxalate, which can irritate the kidneys and increase the risk for kidney stones. People use skunk cabbage for asthma, headache, seizures, toothache, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Shark Cartilage
Shark cartilage is the tissue that provides support for fins in sharks (Squalus acanthias). It mainly comes from sharks caught in the Pacific Ocean. Shark cartilage became a popular medicine in the 1970s. But its popularity led to a decline in shark numbers. It was previously suggested that sharks don't get cancer, so consuming their cartilage might help prevent cancer in humans. But it is now clear that sharks do get cancer, and research hasn't shown benefits for cancer in humans. People use shark cartilage for cancer, scaly itchy skin (psoriasis), osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence supporting these uses. Don't confuse shark cartilage with bovine cartilage, or with chondroitin, which can be sourced from shark cartilage.
NatMed
Sweet Orange
Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is a fruit that contains large amounts of vitamin C. People commonly eat its fruit and drink its juice. Sweet orange contains large amounts of potassium, which might help prevent high blood pressure and stroke. The fruit and juice also contain large amounts of a chemical called citrate, which might help prevent kidney stones. Citrate tends to bind with calcium before it can form a stone. People use sweet orange for asthma, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, the common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
NatMed
Chlorella
Chlorella (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) is a type of algae that grows in fresh water. It's sometimes called seaweed. It's used for nutrition and as medicine. Chlorella is a good source of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals. Most of the chlorella that is available in the U.S. is grown in Japan or Taiwan. It's made into tablets and liquid extracts. Chlorella is used to prevent low levels of iron during pregnancy. It is also used for depression, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, high cholesterol, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NatMed
Panax Notoginseng
Panax notoginseng is a plant that grows in the mountains in Southwest China. Its root is sometimes used as medicine once it has grown for 3-5 years. Panax notoginseng might relax blood vessels, which might improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. Some of the chemicals in Panax notoginseng might also reduce swelling and protect the heart. People use Panax notoginseng for chest pain, stroke, heart attack, bleeding, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Panax notoginseng with other plants with similar names, including Panax ginseng and American ginseng. These are not the same.
NatMed
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) is a bitter-tasting fungus with no proven health benefits. It is thought to have some effects on the immune system. Reishi mushroom is used for Alzheimer disease, cancer, diabetes, cold sores, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum is a flowering plant that blooms in the fall. It's commonly called a mum. Its flowers are used in tea and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Chrysanthemum contains chemicals called flavonoids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains chemicals that may increase blood flow to the heart. People use chrysanthemum for chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, common cold, diabetes, stroke, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Baikal Skullcap
Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is a plant native to China and Korea. The root has been used in Chinese medicine for psychiatric disorders. Baikal skullcap contains chemicals that might decrease swelling and stop tumor growth. Baikal skullcap is used for respiratory infections, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any uses. There is also no good evidence to support using Baikal skullcap for COVID-19. Don't confuse Baikal skullcap with skullcap. They are different plants.
NatMed
Copper
Copper is a mineral found in foods such as organ meats, seafood, nuts, and grain products. It was historically used for preventing infections after burns. Copper is involved in many of the natural body processes. It's stored mostly in the bones and muscles. The liver regulates the amount of copper in the blood. Copper is most commonly used for treating copper deficiency and the anemia it may cause. But having copper deficiency is very rare. It's also used for Alzheimer disease, acne, tooth plaque, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Black Seed
Black seed (Nigella sativa) is a flowering plant native to Asia and the Mediterranean. Its seed has been used to make medicine for thousands of years. Black seed might have effects in the body that help boost the immune system, fight cancer, prevent pregnancy, reduce swelling, and lessen allergic reactions by acting as an antihistamine. People commonly use black seed for asthma, hay fever, diabetes, high blood pressure, eczema, weight loss, menstrual cramps, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using black seed for COVID-19.
NatMed
Tomato
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a commonly eaten fruit that grows on a vine. It contains many nutrients, including an antioxidant called lycopene. The lycopene in tomato is thought to play a role in preventing cancer. It's easier for the body to use lycopene that comes from tomato products, such as tomato paste or tomato juice, than from fresh tomatoes. People use tomato for cancer prevention, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse tomato with lycopene, the antioxidant found in tomatoes.
NatMed
Shellac
Shellac is a resin that is secreted by an insect onto tree trunks. The resin is scraped off and mainly used in food coatings, cosmetics, and varnishes. Shellac is a natural glue and clear coating. It was previously used in dentistry to make dentures and other products, and also as a coating on drug tablets. It's not often used for these purposes anymore because it ages overtime. People sometimes use shellac for tooth sensitivity and other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse medicinal shellac with shellac wood finishes, which are poisonous.
NatMed
Wild Daisy
Wild daisy (Bellis perennis) is common species of daisy. It's native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. The parts that grow above ground are used as medicine. Wild daisy contains chemicals called saponins. These chemicals might help skin cells produce more collagen. People use wild daisy for bleeding, cough, bronchitis, wounds, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Chenopodium Oil
Chenopodium oil is made from the chenopodium plant (Dysphania ambrosioides), which is also known as epazote. It grows in Central and South America. Chenopodium oil contains high amounts of a toxic chemical called ascaridole. The amount of ascaridole found in the oil depends on the plant part used, the season, and where the plant was grown. Ascaridole is thought to paralyze roundworms, hookworms, and some tapeworms. People use chenopodium oil for parasite infections in the intestine and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using chenopodium oil can also be unsafe. It has been linked with serious side effects, including death. Don't confuse chenopodium oil, which is also called wormseed, with wormseed and wormwood. These are not the same.
NatMed
Castor Bean
Castor oil is made from the beans (seeds) of the castor plant (Ricinus communis). Its taste is initially bland, then becomes bitter and unpleasant. Castor oil has laxative and anti-inflammatory effects. It also might induce labor. It's sometimes flavored with cinnamon, peppermint, or other flavorings to mask its unpleasant taste. People use castor oil for constipation, dry eye, childbirth, and to empty the colon before a colonoscopy. It is also used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. The outer coat (hull) of the castor seed contains a deadly poison called ricin. The hull must be removed before use. Ricin has been tested as a chemical warfare agent. Weapons-grade ricin is purified and produced in particles that are so small they can be breathed in.
NatMed
Bromelain
Bromelain is a type of enzyme called a proteolytic enzyme. It is found in pineapple juice and in the pineapple stem. Bromelain causes the body to make substances that fight pain and swelling. Bromelain also contains chemicals that seem to interfere with tumor cells and slow blood clotting. People use bromelain for muscle soreness, pain, burns, kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse bromelain with other proteolytic enzymes (proteases), such as chymotrypsin, ficin, papain, serrapeptase, or trypsin. These are not the same.
NatMed
Boron
Boron is an element. Boron has been consumed for menstrual cramps and boric acid has been used vaginally for yeast infections, but evidence is limited. Boron seems to affect the way the body handles other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It also seems to increase estrogen levels post-menopause. Boric acid, a common form of boron, can kill yeast that cause vaginal infections. Boron may have antioxidant effects. People commonly use boron for boron deficiency and vaginal yeast infections. It is also used for athletic performance, menstrual cramps, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NatMed
Bloodroot
Bloodroot is a plant. People use the underground stem (rhizome) to make medicine. People sometimes use bloodroot by mouth or apply it to the skin for a long list of conditions, but there is no scientific evidence to support these uses, and using it can be unsafe.