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Results 741-760 of 3196

NatMed
Emu Oil
Emu 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.
NatMed
Thunder God Vine
Thunder 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.
NatMed
Thyme
Thyme (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.
NatMed
American Hellebore
American 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.
NatMed
Black Nightshade
Black 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.
NatMed
Gamma Butyrolactone (GBL)
Gamma 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.
NatMed
Henbane
Henbane 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.
NatMed
Tamarind
Tamarind (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.
NatMed
Garcinia
Garcinia (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.
NatMed
Ackee
Ackee (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.
NatMed
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple 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.
NatMed
Oats
Oat (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.
NatMed
Lingonberry
Lingonberry 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.
NatMed
Cocoa
Cocoa 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.
NatMed
Terminalia arjuna
Terminalia 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.
NatMed
Pumpkin
Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is a plant native to South America that now grows worldwide. The seed and its oil are used to make medicine. The chemicals in pumpkin seed can increase urination, which might help relieve bladder and prostate discomfort. Some chemicals might also reduce swelling in the prostate. The pumpkin fruit and seed are commonly used in foods. People commonly use pumpkin for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is also used for balding, UTIs, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
NatMed
Allspice
Allspice (Pimenta dioica) is a tree. The unripe berries and leaves are used as a spice. They are also sometimes used as medicine. Allspice contains a chemical called eugenol, which is thought to have some beneficial effects for pain and infection. People use allspice for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Potato
Potato is a plant. The fleshy part of the root (potato) is commonly eaten as a vegetable. Potato is also used to make medicine. People use potatoes for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, indigestion (dyspepsia), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, potato is eaten, used as a source of starch, and fermented into alcohol.
NatMed
Deer Velvet
Deer velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that becomes deer antlers. It's sometimes used as medicine in Western countries. Deer velvet contains multiple substances including the female sex hormones estrone and estradiol. It also contains substances that might help cells grow and function. People use deer velvet for athletic performance, high blood pressure, increasing sexual desire, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a chemical found in the body. Glucosamine supplements are sold as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine. Glucosamine is used by the body to make other chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints. Joints are cushioned by the fluid and cartilage around them. Taking glucosamine might increase the cartilage and fluid around joints and/or help prevent their breakdown. People commonly use glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride for osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is also used for joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.