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Results 721-740 of 3196

NatMed
Saffron
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a plant. The dried thread-like parts of the flower (stigmas) are used to make saffron spice, food coloring, and medicine. Saffron contains chemicals that might alter mood, kill cancer cells, decrease swelling, and act like antioxidants. It can take 75,000 saffron blossoms to produce a single pound of saffron spice. Saffron is largely cultivated in Iran and harvested by hand. It's one of the world's most expensive spices. People commonly use saffron for depression, anxiety, Alzheimer disease, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NatMed
Horsetail
Horsetail refers to various plant species of the Equisetum genus. It may help reduce fluid retention, but might cause vitamin B1 deficiency when used long-term. The chemicals in horsetail might have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. They might also work like "water pills" (diuretics) and increase urination. People use horsetail for fluid retention, urinary tract infections (UTIs), osteoporosis, loss of bladder control, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Artichoke
Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is a plant native to the Mediterranean area. The leaf, stem, and root are used to make extracts, which are used as medicine. Artichoke is also commonly consumed as a food. It contains chemicals that can reduce nausea and vomiting, spasms, and gas. These chemicals have also been shown to lower cholesterol and protect the liver. People commonly use artichoke for indigestion and high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. It is also used for high blood pressure, hepatitis C, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Don't confuse artichoke with Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus).
NatMed
Gymnema
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a plant native to India and Africa with a history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It has little evidence of health benefits. Gymnema contains chemicals that reduce how much sugar the stomach absorbs. It might also increase the amount of insulin in the body and increase the growth of cells in the pancreas, which is where the body makes insulin. People use gymnema for diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Angel's Trumpet
Angel's trumpet is a plant. The leaves and flowers are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people use angel's trumpet as a recreational drug to induce hallucinations and euphoria. It is also used for asthma and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Goldenrod
Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea, Solidago canadensis) is a plant native to Europe that grows in mild areas worldwide, such as dry woods and grasslands. Goldenrod contains chemicals that might increase urine flow and reduce swelling. It might also kill bacteria and fungi. People use goldenrod for enlarged prostate, kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), tooth plaque, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using goldenrod for COVID-19. Goldenrod is sometimes called Aaron's rod. Don't confuse this with mullein, which is also called Aaron's rod.
NatMed
Rose Hip
Rose hip is the part of the rose flower just below the petals that contains the rose plant seeds. It has been used for osteoarthritis and contains vitamin C. While rose hip is often considered a good source of vitamin C, the processing and drying of the plant actually destroys most of it. Besides vitamin C, other natural chemicals found in rose hip may be helpful for a variety of health conditions. People use rose hip for osteoarthritis and pain after surgery. It is also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
NatMed
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an evergreen plant native to the Mediterranean. Its flower and oil have a popular scent and are also used as medicine. Lavender contains an oil that seems to have calming effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects. People commonly use lavender for anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression, dementia, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NatMed
Sida Cordifolia
Sida cordifolia is a shrub native to India that now grows worldwide. It's a common ingredient in herbal preparations in many systems of traditional medicine. Sida cordifolia contains ephedrine, which is an amphetamine-like stimulant. Despite serious safety concerns, people use Sida cordifolia for asthma, allergies, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Sida cordifolia contains ephedrine, which is an amphetamine-like stimulant that can cause harmful side effects. Since April 2004, the US FDA has banned the sale of ephedra, Sida cordifolia, and other products that contain ephedrine. Don't confuse Side cordifolia with Chinese Mallow, Mallow, or Marshmallow. These are not the same.
NatMed
Jequirity
Jequirity is a climbing plant. The roots, leaves, and beans have been used as medicine. Jequirity is poisonous. Despite serious safety concerns, some people take jequirity by mouth for asthma, constipation, liver disease, and other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
7-Keto-DHEA
7-keto-DHEA is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted to hormones like androgen and estrogen. 7-keto-DHEA has effects that might promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat. People take 7-keto-DHEA for obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse 7-keto-DHEA with DHEA, 7-alpha-hydroxy-DHEA, 7-beta-hydroxy-DHEA, or raspberry ketone. These are not the same.
NatMed
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Acetyl-L-carnitine is made from L-carnitine in the body. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are used to help the body turn fat into energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine is important for many body processes. L-carnitine is made in the human brain, liver, and kidneys. The body can convert L-carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa. It's not clear if the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine are from the chemical itself, from the L-carnitine it can make, or from some other chemical. Acetyl-L-carnitine is sometimes used for Alzheimer disease, improving memory and thinking skills, treating symptoms of depression, and reducing nerve pain in people with diabetes. It is used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
NatMed
Whey Protein
Whey protein is the protein from whey, the watery portion of milk that separates from the curds when making cheese. It is commonly used as a protein supplement. Whey protein might improve the nutrient content of the diet and also have effects on the immune system. People commonly use whey protein for improving athletic performance and increasing strength. Whey protein is also used for asthma, diabetes, weight loss, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
NatMed
Catnip
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a plant famous for the excitement it creates in cats. The flowering tops are used to make medicine. Catnip contains chemicals that might have a calming effect. It's not clear if it has the same effects in humans as it does in cats. The oils in catnip might also have insect repellant effects. People use catnip for anxiety, colic, common cold, insomnia, repelling mosquitos, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse catnip with schizonepeta. These are not the same.
NatMed
New Zealand Green-Lipped Mussel
New Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a shellfish with a green shell. It's eaten in New Zealand as food and also used in supplements. New Zealand green-lipped mussel might contain chemicals that help decrease swelling or inflammation. People use New Zealand green-lipped mussel for asthma, arthritis, muscle soreness, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Cananga Oil
Cananga oil comes from the flower of the Cananga odorata forma macrophylla plant. It is used as an ingredient in foods and as a fragrance in cosmetics. There isn't enough reliable information to know how cananga oil might work as a medicine. Don't confuse cananga oil with ylang ylang oil, which comes from a related plant called Cananga odorata genuina. They are not the same.
NatMed
Yogurt
Yogurt is a dairy product made by fermenting milk using one or more bacteria, such as L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. Yogurt contains bacteria which may help restore the normal bacteria in the digestive tract and vagina. This might help treat diarrhea and vaginal infections. People use yogurt for constipation, high cholesterol, lactose intolerance, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. Don't confuse yogurt with probiotics, fermented milk, or kefir. These are not the same.
NatMed
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate, also called mate, is a popular drink similar to coffee or tea. It's made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant and contains caffeine. Caffeine and other chemicals in yerba mate can stimulate the brain, heart, muscles lining blood vessels, and other parts of the body. People use yerba mate for athletic performance, memory and thinking skills, headache, fatigue, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using yerba mate long-term, especially with alcohol or nicotine, has been linked to an increased risk of various types of cancer, including stomach, kidney, lung, and mouth cancer. Don't confuse yerba mate with caffeine or other caffeine sources, such as green tea, black tea, and guarana.
NatMed
Ribose
Ribose is a sugar that is naturally produced by the body from food. It is a natural part of DNA and RNA and is required for many processes in the body. Supplemental ribose might prevent muscle fatigue in people with certain genetic disorders that affect energy production by the body. It might also provide extra energy to the heart during exercise in people with heart disease. People use ribose for heart disease, athletic performance, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a type of fat. Dairy and beef are major sources of CLA in the diet. Most CLA supplements are made from safflower oil. CLA might help reduce body fat deposits and improve immune function. The average diet supplies 15-174 mg of CLA daily. People commonly take CLA by mouth for weight loss. It is also often used for bodybuilding and fitness, but there is limited scientific evidence to support these uses.