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Results 701-720 of 3196

NatMed
Blond Psyllium
Blond psyllium (Plantago ovata) is an herb. Its seed husk is used as a laxative and stool softener and to help reduce cholesterol. Psyllium seed husks absorb water in the stomach and form a large mass. This mass stimulates the bowel in people with constipation. In people with diarrhea, it can slow down the bowel and reduce bowel movements. This mass can also reduce the amount of cholesterol that is absorbed into the body. Blond psyllium is commonly used as a stool softener in people with constipation and hemorrhoids. It is also used for diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. It's used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.
NatMed
Hazelnut
Hazelnut is the nut from the hazel tree (Corylus avellana). It is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and is commonly eaten as food. Hazelnut contains oil, protein, fiber, and antioxidants. The antioxidants in hazelnut might have heart health benefits. People use hazelnut for obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, dementia, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Hazelnut is a tree nut. It is considered a major food allergen.
NatMed
Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is found along with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in cold-water fish, including tuna and salmon. DHA plays a key role in the development of eye and nerve tissues. DHA might also reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by decreasing the thickness of the blood, reducing swelling (inflammation), and lowering blood levels of triglycerides. People commonly use DHA for high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. It is also used for boosting memory and thinking skills, for helping infant and child development, for certain eye disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. Don't confuse DHA with EPA. They are both in fish oil, but they are not the same. DHA can be converted into EPA in the body in very small amounts. See separate listings for algal oil, cod liver oil, fish oil, EPA, and krill oil.
NatMed
Sitostanol
Sitostanol is a plant product. It is made from vegetable oils or the oil from pine tree wood pulp, and is then combined with canola oil. Sitostanol is most commonly used for heart disease and high cholesterol. Sitostanol is an ingredient in Benecol margarine and some salad dressings. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows manufacturers of products that contain sitostanol to claim that the product lowers the risk of getting heart disease. There is plenty of evidence that sitostanol lowers cholesterol levels, but so far there is no proof that long-term use lowers the risk of developing heart disease.
NatMed
Asarabacca
Asarabacca is a type of evergreen plant. It grows in Europe and parts of Asia. The root is used to make medicine. People use asarabacca for conditions such as bronchitis, other lung infections, chest pain (angina), and many others, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse asarabacca with bitter milkwort or senega. All three are sometimes called "snakeroot." Also, don't confuse asarabacca with coltsfoot or ginger.
NatMed
Sanicle
Sanicle is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used as medicine. People take sanicle for swollen airways (bronchitis) and cough. Be careful not to confuse sanicle (Sanicula europaea) with Prunella vulgaris, both of which are known as "self-heal." Also be careful not to confuse Sanicula europaea with Astrantia major, both of which are known as "sanicle."
NatMed
Dimethylglycine (DMG)
Dimethylglycine (DMG) is an amino acid, a building block for protein. The body needs dimethylglycine to function. Dimethylglycine is an essential amino acid, which means that the body cannot make this chemical on its own. It must be consumed in the diet. It is found in grains and meats and can also be taken as a supplement. People use dimethylglycine for aging, athletic performance, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), and many other purposes, but there is no scientific evidence to support its use.
NatMed
Pink Root
Pink root is an herb. The dried root and bulb are used to make medicine. People take pink root along with a laxative to get rid of intestinal worms. This remedy was commonly used in the US as late as 1955.
NatMed
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh (Actaea racemose) is a woodland herb native to North America. The root is used as medicine and is often used for estrogen-related conditions. In some parts of the body, black cohosh might increase the effects of estrogen. In other parts of the body, black cohosh might decrease the effects of estrogen. Black cohosh should not be thought of as an "herbal estrogen" or a substitute for estrogen. People commonly use black cohosh for symptoms of menopause, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful menstruation, weak and brittle bones, and many other conditions, there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Don't confuse black cohosh with blue cohosh or white cohosh. These are unrelated plants.
NatMed
Hops
Hops are the dried, flowering parts of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), commonly used in brewing beer. They have limited evidence of health benefits. The term "hops" comes from the Anglo-Saxon term "hoppan", which means "to climb." Hops contain many chemicals, including bitter acids, which contribute to its bitter flavor. Some chemicals in hops seem to act similarly to the hormone estrogen and some seem to cause sleepiness. People commonly use hops for anxiety, sleep disorders, restlessness, symptoms of menopause, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Costus
Costus (Saussurea costus) is an herb native to China and India. Its root and essential oil are used in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani. Costus root contains chemicals that might kill parasites and slow down activity in the intestines. People use costus for parasite infections in the intestines and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Henna
Henna is the powdered leaf of a certain plant. It is used to make medicine. Don't confuse henna with henna root (Alkanna tinctoria), also referred to as alkanna root. Henna is used for stomach ulcers, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis), bed sores, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also concern that using henna is unsafe when taken by mouth. In manufacturing, henna is used in cosmetics, hair dyes, and hair care products. It is also used as a dye for nails, skin, and clothing.
NatMed
Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic acid is vitamin B5. It is widely found in both plants and animals including meat, vegetables, cereal grains, legumes, eggs, and milk. Pantothenic acid helps the body utilize carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. It is also important for maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin B5 is available as D-pantothenic acid, as well as dexpanthenol and calcium pantothenate, which are chemicals made in the lab from D-pantothenic acid. People most commonly use pantothenic acid for pantothenic acid deficiency. Dexpanthenol, a chemical similar to pantothenic acid, is used for skin irritation, nasal swelling, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Rice Bran
Rice bran comes from the outer layer of rice (Oryza sativa). Rice bran oil is popular as a "healthy oil" in Japan, Asia, and particularly India. Rice bran oil contains substances that might decrease how much cholesterol the body absorbs. Rice bran might also decrease calcium absorption, which might help prevent certain types of kidney stones from forming. People use rice bran for high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, athletic performance, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. Don't confuse rice bran with rice bran arabinoxylan compound, or other forms of bran such as oat bran and wheat bran.
NatMed
Potassium
Potassium is a mineral that is important for many body functions. Food sources include fruits, cereals, beans, milk, and vegetables. Potassium plays a role in the transmission of nerve signals, muscle contractions, fluid balance, and various chemical reactions. Potassium is most commonly used for treating and preventing low potassium levels, treating high blood pressure, and preventing stroke. It's also used for prediabetes and many other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
NatMed
Alder Buckthorn
Alder buckthorn is a shrub that grows in parts of Europe and North America. The aged or heated bark of the plant is used to make medicine. Don't confuse alder buckthorn with European buckthorn, sea buckthorn, or cascara. Alder buckthorn is mainly used for constipation. It is also used as a tonic or as an ingredient in the Hoxsey cancer formula, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Uzara
Uzara is a plant used in traditional African medicine. The root is used to make medicine. People take uzara for diarrhea.
NatMed
Ephedra
Ephedra is a stimulant herb usually from the stem and branches of Ephedra sinica. Most ephedra species contain the chemical ephedrine. It's banned in the US. The ephedrine in ephedra is responsible for its therapeutic effects and also its serious safety concerns. It stimulates the heart, lungs, and nervous system. People use ephedra for weight loss and athletic performance. It's also used for allergies, nasal congestion, asthma, common cold, headache, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Ephedra is also unsafe. Ephedra has been banned by the US FDA since April 2004. It's also banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), International Olympic Committee (IOC), and National Football League (NFL). Don't confuse ephedra with Mormon tea. Mormon tea comes from Ephedra nevadensis, an Ephedra species that doesn't contain ephedrine.
NatMed
Canthaxanthin
Canthaxanthin is a dye that is similar to the chemical that makes carrots orange. It occurs naturally and can also be made in a laboratory. People use it as medicine. Canthaxanthin is used to reduce sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) experienced by people who have a rare genetic disease called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). In these people, sunlight can cause skin reactions such as rash, itch, and eczema. Canthaxanthin is also used to reduce sun sensitivity caused by certain medications and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Orobronze (canthaxanthin) is sold in Canada as a nonprescription "tanning pill." In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved tanning pills containing canthaxanthin. Nevertheless, these products seem to be readily available to people in the U.S. through mail order and tanning salons. In foods, canthaxanthin is used as food coloring and is added to animal feed to improve the color of chicken skins, egg yolks, salmon, and trout. In manufacturing, canthaxanthin is used in cosmetics and in medications.
NatMed
Spearmint
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a species of mint plant. It's grown for its leaves and essential oil, which is used as a flavoring in foods and cosmetics. Spearmint oil contains chemicals that reduce swelling and affect hormone levels in the body, including testosterone. Some chemicals might also harm cancer cells and kill bacteria. People use spearmint for memory, digestion, osteoarthritis, nausea and vomiting after surgery, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse spearmint with other plants known as mint, including English horsemint, Japanese mint, peppermint, perilla, salvia divinorum, or wild mint. These are not the same.