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Pink RootNatMedPink 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.- Black CohoshNatMedBlack 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.
- HopsNatMedHops 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.
- CostusNatMedCostus (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.
- HennaNatMedHenna 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.
- Pantothenic AcidNatMedPantothenic 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.
- Rice BranNatMedRice 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.
- PotassiumNatMedPotassium 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.
- Alder BuckthornNatMedAlder 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.
- UzaraNatMedUzara is a plant used in traditional African medicine. The root is used to make medicine. People take uzara for diarrhea.
- EphedraNatMedEphedra 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.
- CanthaxanthinNatMedCanthaxanthin is a red and pink pigment that occurs naturally in plants and animals. It can also be made in a lab and is used as medicine. Canthaxanthin is similar to the carotenes in vegetables such as carrots. It's believed to color the skin to produce an artificial tan. It might also reduce inflammation and protect against sun sensitivity. People sometimes use canthaxanthin for cancer, sensitivity to sunlight, psoriasis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse canthaxanthin with vitamin A or other carotenoids, such as astaxanthin or beta-carotene. These are not the same.
- SpearmintNatMedSpearmint (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.
- SaffronNatMedSaffron (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 and Alzheimer disease. It is also used for anxiety, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
- HorsetailNatMedHorsetail 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.
- ArtichokeNatMedArtichoke (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).
- GymnemaNatMedGymnema (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.
- Angel's TrumpetNatMedAngel'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.
- GoldenrodNatMedGoldenrod (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.
- Rose HipNatMedRose 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 destroys much 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.
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