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PodophyllumNatMedPodophyllum (Podophyllum hexandrum) is a plant. The entire plant is poisonous except for the ripe fruit. The plant resin (podophyllin) is used on the skin. The podophyllum resin comes from the plant rhizome (root). It contains antioxidants and also toxic chemicals. People use the podophyllum resin (podophyllin) for the removal of warts, including plantar warts and genital warts, and corns. It is also used for white patches on the tongue in people with weakened immune systems (hairy leukoplakia), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses. Don't confuse podophyllum with European mandrake or bryonia. These are not the same.- Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)NatMedGamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid. It's found in various plant seed oils such as borage oil and evening primrose oil. Omega-6 fatty acids such as GLA are found everywhere in the body. They help with the function of all cells. The body converts GLA to substances that have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. People use GLA for eczema, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, nerve pain related to diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Don't confuse GLA with black currant, borage, or evening primrose oil. These seeds contain GLA but are not the same. Also don't confuse GLA with other omega-6 fatty acids or other sources of omega-6 fatty acids such as flaxseed oil.
- RNA and DNANatMedRNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are chemical compounds that are made by the body. They can also be made in a laboratory. RNA and DNA are sometimes used as medicine. People take RNA and DNA for conditions such as athletic performance, stomach and intestine problems, immune system problems, aging, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Propionyl-L-CarnitineNatMedPropionyl-L-carnitine is a chemical naturally made in the body. It’s related to two other compounds called L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine. Propionyl-L-carnitine helps the body produce energy. It’s important for heart function, muscle movement, and many other body processes. It also seems to help increase circulation. People use propionyl-L-carnitine for chest pain, heart disease, heart failure, athletic performance, chronic fatigue, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses. Don't confuse propionyl-L-carnitine with acetyl-L-carnitine or L-carnitine. These are not the same.
- YewNatMedYew is an evergreen tree. People use the bark, branch tips, and needles to make medicine. Paclitaxel (Taxol), a prescription drug for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer, originally came from the bark of the yew tree. But now paclitaxel is made in a lab. Despite serious safety concerns, yew is used for promoting menstruation and causing abortion, treating certain parasite infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
- Black PepperNatMedBlack pepper (Piper nigrum) is one of the most commonly used spices in the world. It contains a chemical called piperine, which seems to kill bacteria. Piperine might also kill fungi and parasites, and help the body absorb some drugs. Black pepper and white pepper both come from the same plant species, but they are made differently. Black pepper is made by cooking the dried unripe fruit. White pepper is made by cooking and drying the ripe seeds. People take black pepper by mouth for hay fever, asthma, upset stomach, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- AgarNatMedAgar is a plant. People use it to make medicine. In Japan agar is called "kanten," and it is the main ingredient in "the kanten plan" or "the kanten diet." People use agar for obesity, diabetes, constipation, yellowing of the skin in infants (neonatal jaundice), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In dentistry, agar is used to make dental impressions. In manufacturing processes, agar is used as an ingredient in emulsions, suspensions, gels, and certain suppositories.
- TurtleheadNatMedTurtlehead (Chelone glabra) is a plant. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. People use turtlehead to empty the bowels, but there is no good scientific evidence to support this use.
- BarleyNatMedBarley (Hordeum vulgare) is a common grain that is high in fiber. It's consumed in foods and used to brew alcoholic beverages worldwide. The fiber in barley might lower cholesterol, blood sugar, and insulin levels. It also seems to slow stomach emptying which could keep blood sugar stable and help to control appetite. People use barley for heart disease and high cholesterol. It is also used for colon cancer, diabetes, diarrhea, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- ColocynthNatMedColocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) is a plant that grows in East Asia. Its fruit looks like a small watermelon and contains chemicals that are unsafe. Colocynth contains chemicals called cucurbitacins. These chemicals are very irritating to the stomach and intestines. Despite serious safety concerns, people use colocynth for diabetes, high cholesterol, liver disease, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Due to safety concerns, colocynth was banned by the US FDA in 1991.
- CalotropisNatMedCalotropis is a plant. People use the bark and root bark for medicine. People use calotropis for conditions such as digestive disorders, toothache, cramps, joint pain, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using calotropis is unsafe, especially in high doses.
- Black RootNatMedBlack root is a plant. It grows in the US and Canada and has a bitter and nauseating taste. People use the underground stem (rhizome) and the root as medicine. Black root is used for ongoing constipation and disorders of the liver and gallbladder. It is also used to cause vomiting.
- Bitter MelonNatMedBitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a vine originally from India and other Asian countries. It has been traditionally used to treat diabetes. Bitter melon contains a chemical that acts like insulin to help reduce blood sugar levels. People commonly use bitter melon for diabetes, osteoarthritis, athletic performance, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Bitter melon is sometimes called bitter gourd. Don't confuse this with Ivy gourd, which is a different plant.
- 5-HTPNatMed5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can be converted to serotonin in the body. It is often used for depression. It has less evidence for insomnia and anxiety. 5-HTP is a chemical byproduct of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia. 5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin levels, it is used for conditions in which serotonin is believed to play an important role. These include depression, anxiety, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
- ParsleyNatMedParsley (Petroselinum crispum) is an herb native to the Mediterranean that is grown worldwide. It's widely used in foods and also as medicine. Parsley contains vitamins B1, B2, C, and K. Oils extracted from parsley contain chemicals that might help stimulate the appetite, improve digestion, and have laxative effects. People use parsley for constipation, diabetes, dark skin patches on the face (melasma), kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse parsley with similarly named fool's parsley or parsley piert. These are not the same.
- ChaparralNatMedChaparral is a plant. The chaparral leaf is used to make medicine, but there are serious safety concerns with its use. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada have advised consumers against using products containing chaparral due to these safety concerns. Despite serious safety concerns, people use chaparral for digestion problems, respiratory tract conditions, skin disorders, arthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Lactobacillus acidophilusNatMedLactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) is a type of probiotic ("good" bacteria) found in the human gut, mouth, and vagina, and also in certain foods. "Good" bacteria such as L. acidophilus can help break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off "bad" organisms that might cause diseases. L. acidophilus is sometimes added to fermented foods like yogurt and is also found in probiotic supplements. People commonly use L. acidophilus for diarrhea from antibiotics, as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina, and an infection caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). It is also used for acne, hay fever, eczema, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses. There is also no good evidence to support using L. acidophilus COVID-19. Don't confuse L. acidophilus with other probiotics, or with fermented food products such as fermented milk, kefir, or yogurt. These are not the same. Also note that the Lactobacillus genus was split up into 25 different genera in April 2020. Some other species' names changed, but L. acidophilus remained the same.
- DaffodilNatMedDaffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is a plant. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Don't confuse the bulbs with onion bulbs, or the stems with Chinese chives. People use daffodil for asthma, joint pain, and wound healing but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Daffodil is also unsafe.
- OleanderNatMedOleander (Nerium oleander) is a flowering shrub. It contains chemicals called toxic cardiac glycosides, which can lead to death when consumed. The cardiac glycosides in oleander affect the heart. These chemicals can slow the heart rate down. Some of these chemicals might also kill cancer cells. People use oleander for heart failure, cancer, epilepsy, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using oleander for COVID-19. Oleander is unsafe to use.
- NutmegNatMedNutmeg and mace are common spices that come from the same tree, Myristica fragrans. Nutmeg comes from the shelled, dried seed. Mace comes from the seed covering. Nutmeg contains chemicals that might affect the central nervous system. Nutmeg might also kill bacteria and fungi. People use nutmeg for cavities in children, diarrhea, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Nutmeg is sometimes used recreationally in large doses to create a natural "high." Taking large doses may be unsafe and can lead to serious side effects.
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