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Cananga OilNatMedCananga 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.- YogurtNatMedYogurt 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.
- Yerba MateNatMedYerba 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.
- RiboseNatMedRibose 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.
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)NatMedConjugated 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.
- Emu OilNatMedEmu oil comes from the fat of a large, flightless bird called the emu. The emu is native to Australia and is now farmed in the US, Canada, and Europe. Emu oil contains chemicals called fatty acids. These chemicals might reduce pain and swelling. Emu oil also has moisturizing and cosmetic properties similar to mineral oil. People use emu oil for hair loss, eczema, burns, high cholesterol, psoriasis, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Thunder God VineNatMedThunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii) is a vine that grows in southeast China. Its extracts are used in traditional and pharmaceutical Chinese medicine. Thunder god vine contains chemicals that might relieve swelling and change the way the immune system works. This might help with arthritis and other conditions. Also, thunder god vine contains chemicals that might alter sperm and decrease male fertility. People use thunder god vine for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn disease, kidney problems, mouth sores, and eye problems in people with an overactive thyroid. It is also used for eczema, birth control, menstrual cramps, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
- ThymeNatMedThyme (Thymus vulgaris) is an herb with a distinct smell. The flowers, leaves, and oil are commonly used to flavor foods and are also used as medicine. Thyme contains chemicals that might help bacterial and fungal infections. It also might help relieve coughing and have antioxidant effects. People commonly use thyme for cough, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), dementia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse thyme with wild thyme. These are two different plants.
- American HelleboreNatMedAmerican hellebore (Veratrum viride) is a poisonous plant native to swampy areas in North America. Traditionally, its extracts have been used as medicine. American hellebore contains chemicals that are toxic and can cause serious heart-related side effects, including low blood pressure and abnormal heartbeat. Despite serious safety concerns, people use American hellebore for high blood pressure, kidney problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse American hellebore with European hellebore, white hellebore, or pheasant's eye. These are not the same.
- Black NightshadeNatMedBlack nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is a plant with a musk-like smell when wilting. It contains a chemical that can be toxic when consumed. Black nightshade contains a chemical called solanine which is poisonous to humans. The green fruits contain the highest amounts of solanine and therefore are the most toxic parts of the plant. People use black nightshade for stomach irritation, cramps, spasms, pain, nervousness, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL)NatMedGamma butyrolactone (GBL) is a chemical in cleaning solutions and nail polish. In the body, GBL is converted to gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a date-rape drug. When the body converts GBL into GHB, it can turn off some functions of the nervous system. Despite serious safety concerns, people use GBL as a party drug, for athletic performance, depression, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. GBL is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal in the US. Don't confuse GBL with Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) or 1,4-Butanediol. These chemicals are related but are not the same.
- HenbaneNatMedHenbane is a plant. The leaf, flowering tops, and seeds are used to make medicine. But henbane contains chemicals that are poisonous, particularly in high doses. Don't confuse henbane, sometimes called "fetid nightshade" or "stinking nightshade," with bittersweet nightshade or deadly nightshade (belladonna). Henbane is used for stomach pain, stomach ulcers, muscle cramps, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- TamarindNatMedTamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a tree found in tropical Africa and southern Asia. The fruit pulp is widely used in Asian culture. Tamarind contains ingredients that might have laxative effects and fight against certain fungi and bacteria. It also contains a chemical that is similar to mucin found in the eye. Mucin helps protect and wet the surface of the cornea. People use tamarind for dry eye, constipation, parasite infections, early orgasm (premature ejaculation), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
- GarciniaNatMedGarcinia (Garcinia gummi-gutta) is a tree that grows in India and Southeast Asia. The fruit rind contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA used in dietary supplements usually comes from garcinia. It might prevent fat storage, control appetite, and increase exercise endurance. But it's unclear if these effects occur in humans. People commonly use garcinia for obesity, athletic performance, joint pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse garcinia with gamboge, Malabar nut, mangosteen, or tamarind. These are not the same.
- AckeeNatMedAckee (Blighia sapida) is an evergreen tree that makes fruit. Ripe ackee fruit is commonly eaten as food in Jamaica. Unripe ackee fruit is poisonous. The ripe ackee fruit contains fatty acids. The unripe ackee fruit contains poisonous chemicals that can cause dangerously low blood sugar, liver damage, and death. Most ackee products have been banned from import into the US due to concerns about poisoning from the unripe fruit. People use ackee for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Eating unripe ackee fruit is unsafe.
- Apple Cider VinegarNatMedApple cider vinegar is the fermented juice from crushed apples. It contains acetic acid and nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin C. Apple cider vinegar is popularly used in salad dressings and cooking. But it's also been used traditionally as medicine. It might help lower blood sugar levels after a meal by changing how foods are absorbed from the gut. Apple cider vinegar is used for obesity, diabetes, athletic performance, kidney stones, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using apple cider vinegar for COVID-19.
- OatsNatMedOat (Avena sativa) is a type of cereal grain. People often eat the plant's whole seeds (oats), outer seed layers (oat bran), and leaves and stems (oat straw). Oats might reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and help control appetite by making you feel full. Oat bran might work by keeping the gut from absorbing substances that can lead to heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Oats seem to reduce swelling when applied to the skin. Oat bran and whole oats are used for heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. They are also used for high blood pressure, cancer, dry skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- LingonberryNatMedLingonberry is a plant. The leaves and berries are used to make medicine. Lingonberry is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, gout, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, lingonberry berries are used in jams, syrups, baked goods, and juice. Lingonberry leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for bearberry (uva ursi) leaves. Don't confuse lingonberry for uva ursi, cranberry, or cramp bark.
- CocoaNatMedCocoa beans are the seeds of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). The beans are used to make chocolate and are a source of many antioxidants. Cocoa contains a variety of chemicals, including antioxidants called flavonoids. It's not clear how these might work in the body, but they appear to relax the blood vessels. This could lead to lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation and blockage of blood vessels. People most commonly use cocoa for heart disease and high blood pressure. It is also used for high cholesterol, memory, aging skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- Terminalia arjunaNatMedTerminalia arjuna is a tree. Its bark is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. The bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree contains chemicals that might stimulate the heart. It might also have effects that lower cholesterol and blood pressure. People use Terminalia arjuna for chest pain, asthma, athletic performance, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Terminalia arjuna with other Terminalia species, including Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica. These are not the same.
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