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Results 641-660 of 3196

NatMed
Black Horehound
Black horehound is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. People use black horehound for conditions such as nausea, vomiting, spasms, cough, infection of the intestines by parasites, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse black horehound with white horehound.
NatMed
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that helps regulate calcium and phosphorus in the body. It also plays a role in maintaining proper bone structure. There are different forms of vitamin D, including ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D is found in fish, eggs, and fortified milk. It's also made in the skin when exposed to sunlight. During periods of sunlight, vitamin D is stored in fat and then released when sunlight is not available. Vitamin D supplements are commonly used to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency, for weak and brittle bones, cavities, psoriasis, and hay fever. People also use vitamin D for asthma, cancer, kidney disease, lung disease, infertility and many other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. It is important to maintain healthy levels of vitamin D. This can be done by taking 400-1000 IU of vitamin D daily or spending 15-30 minutes in the sun each day. People who don't get enough sun and people who are 65 years or older are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency.
NatMed
Hemlock Water Dropwort
Hemlock water dropwort is a plant. The root is used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse hemlock water dropwort with similar sounding plants such as water hemlock and hemlock. Also be careful not to mistake the extremely poisonous hemlock water dropwort with other similar looking plants, such as wild parsnip, radish, sweet flag, or pignut. Hemlock water dropwort is used for pimples, rashes, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using hemlock water dropwort can also be unsafe.
NatMed
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin found in foods such as meat, fish, and dairy. It can also be made in a lab and is often taken with other B vitamins. Vitamin B12 is required for the function and development of many parts of the body, including the brain, nerves, and blood cells. Methylcobalamin is the active form of vitamin B12. Cyanocobalamin, which must be processed by the body into the active form, is the most common type used in supplements. People commonly use vitamin B12 for vitamin B12 deficiency, cyanide poisoning, and high levels of homocysteine in the blood. It is also used for canker sores, cataracts, Alzheimer disease, osteoporosis, fatigue, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
NatMed
Red Yeast Rice
Red yeast rice is the product of rice fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. It contains monacolin K, which is identical to a statin drug. Red yeast rice contains ten different chemicals known as monacolins. These chemicals affect cholesterol levels. Monacolin K, which is the same as the drug lovastatin, is the most abundant in red yeast rice. Because of this, it has many of the same effects and precautions as the statin drug. People most commonly use red yeast rice for high levels of cholesterol and other fats in the blood. It is also used for heart attack, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses. The US FDA considers red yeast rice products that contain significant amounts of statin-like ingredients to be illegal, unapproved drugs. But many of these products are still available. Red yeast rice products do not always contain consistent amounts of statins, which can change their effects on health.
NatMed
Niacin
Niacin is a form of vitamin B3 made in the body from tryptophan. It's found in many foods including meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereals. Niacin is required for the proper function of fats and sugars in the body and to maintain healthy cells. At high doses, niacin might help people with heart disease because of its effects on blood clotting. It might also improve levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood. Prescription forms of niacin are approved by the US FDA for abnormal cholesterol levels and for preventing vitamin B3 deficiency and related conditions such as pellagra. People use niacin supplements for metabolic syndrome, heart disease, cataracts, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses. Do not confuse niacin with NADH, niacinamide, inositol nicotinate, IP-6, or tryptophan. These are not the same.
NatMed
Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae are a group of bacteria. They can be used as a source of protein, but contain no more protein than meat or milk. Blue-green algae produce blue-green colored pigments and are high in protein, iron, and other minerals. They grow in saltwater and some large freshwater lakes. They have been used for food for several centuries in Mexico and some African countries. In the US, they've been sold in supplements since the late 1970s. People use blue-green algae for treating high blood pressure and as a protein supplement. It's also used for high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses. Some blue-green algae products are grown under controlled conditions. Others are grown in a natural setting, where they're more likely to be contaminated. Only use products that have been tested and are free of contaminants such as heavy metals, liver toxins called microcystins, and harmful bacteria. Don't confuse blue-green algae with other algaes, like Ascophyllum nodosum, Ecklonia cava, Fucus Vesiculosis, or Laminaria.
NatMed
Kousso
Kousso is a plant. The leaves, fruit, and flowers are used to make medicine. Despite safety concerns, people take kousso for diabetes, cancer, and to get rid of tapeworms, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Jimson Weed
Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is a plant. Despite serious safety concerns, the leaves and seeds are sometimes used to make medicine and to cause hallucinations. Jimson weed contains dangerous chemicals such as atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. These chemicals can cause serious adverse effects, including death. Despite serious safety concerns, people sometimes use jimson weed for asthma, cough, flu (influenza), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Some people also use it as a recreational drug to cause hallucinations and a heightened sense of well-being (euphoria).
NatMed
Horsemint
Horsemint (Monarda punctata) is an herb that has a bitter taste and a smell similar to thyme. The leaves are sometimes used to make medicine. People use horsemint for digestion problems, menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
NatMed
Chicory
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an herb native to Europe and Asia. It's also grown in the United States. Chicory root contains inulin, a starchy substance. Chicory root has a mild laxative effect and decreases swelling. Chicory is also a rich source of beta-carotene. People use chicory for liver and heart health, constipation, indigestion, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse chicory with inulin. Inulin is a compound found in chicory, but they are not the same thing.
NatMed
Guar Gum
Guar gum is a gel-forming fiber from the seed of the guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). It's used to thicken foods and is also used as a dietary supplement. Guar gum helps normalize the moisture content of the stool, absorbing excess liquid in those with diarrhea, and softening the stool in those with constipation. It also might help decrease the amount of cholesterol and sugar that is absorbed in the gut. People use guar gum for constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. It is also used for obesity, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses. Don't confuse guar gum with guarana or guarumo. These are not the same. br/>
NatMed
European Mistletoe
European mistletoe (Viscum album) is a plant that grows on several different trees throughout the world. The berry, leaf, and stem are used as medicine. European mistletoe contains chemicals that might stimulate the immune system and kill certain cancer cells, but it's not clear if these effects occur in the human body. People sometimes use European mistletoe for various types of cancer, including bladder cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Most research has evaluated European mistletoe injections given by a healthcare provider. There is very little research on the use of European mistletoe taken by mouth.
NatMed
Sundew
Sundew are plants that catch insects using their sticky leaves. Dried sundew is sometimes used to make medicine. People take sundew for various breathing problems including bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough (pertussis), cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)
Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are fat molecules usually made from coconut and palm kernel oils. Typical dietary fats are long-chain triglycerides. MCTs are a fat source for people who cannot tolerate other types of fats. These fats might also improve weight loss because the body can more easily break them down into molecules called ketone bodies. These ketone bodies can be used for energy. People use MCTs for involuntary weight loss called cachexia or wasting syndrome. MCTs are also used for obesity, seizures, athletic performance, Alzheimer disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
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.