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Results 781-800 of 3196

NatMed
Indian Snakeroot
Indian snakeroot (Rauvolfia serpentina) is an evergreen shrub found in Southeast Asia. The root is used as medicine. It's considered an endangered species. Indian snakeroot contains small amounts of chemicals such as reserpine and yohimbine, which are prescription drugs that can cause serious side effects. People use Indian snakeroot for high blood pressure, anxiety, constipation, malaria, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Indian snakeroot with Rauvolfia vomitoria or Yohimbe. These are not the same.
NatMed
SAMe
SAMe is a molecule that is made naturally in the body from homocysteine and folate. It can also be made in a lab and taken in supplements. SAMe is involved in the formation, activation, and breakdown of other chemicals in the body, including hormones, proteins, and certain drugs. The body uses it to make certain chemicals that play a role in pain, depression, liver disease, and other conditions. People most commonly take SAMe for depression and osteoarthritis. It is also used for anxiety, liver disease, fibromyalgia, schizophrenia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. SAMe has been available as a dietary supplement in the US since 1999, but it has been used as a prescription drug in Italy, Spain, and Germany for many decades.
NatMed
Bovine Colostrum
Bovine colostrum is the milk that comes from cows the first few days after giving birth. It contains many nutrients and proteins called antibodies. Antibody levels in bovine colostrum can be 100 times higher than levels in regular cow's milk. Hyperimmune bovine colostrum is made by cows that have been vaccinated for specific diseases. These cows produce antibodies that fight the viruses and bacteria that cause certain diseases. People use bovine colostrum for diarrhea and respiratory infections caused by exercise. It is also used for sepsis, athletic performance, autism, diabetes, child growth, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Indian Gooseberry
Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) is a tree native to India and the Middle East. It's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Indian gooseberry seems to work by reducing total cholesterol levels, including the fatty acids called triglycerides, without affecting levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good") cholesterol. People commonly use Indian gooseberry for abnormal cholesterol levels and persistent heartburn. It's also used for diarrhea, osteoarthritis, and cancer, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Wintergreen
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is an evergreen shrub native to the US and Canada. Its leaves and oil have been traditionally used for pain. Wintergreen leaf contains an aspirin-like chemical called methyl salicylate. It has effects that might reduce pain, swelling, and fever. People use wintergreen for back pain, joint pain, muscle soreness, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse wintergreen with periwinkle or pipsissewa, which are sometimes called wintergreen. These are not the same.
NatMed
Laurelwood
Laurelwood is a plant. The nut and other plant parts are used to make medicine. Don't confuse laurelwood (Calophyllum inophyllum) with blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides). Laurelwood is used for leprosy, hemorrhoids, scabies, gonorrhea, vaginal infections, and chicken pox. It is also used for viral infections, such as HIV. Tamanu oil from the nut of laurelwood is used for skin conditions including sunburn, rashes, burns, psoriasis, dermatitis, scratches, skin blemishes, acne, skin allergies, bedsores, rosacea, and hemorrhoids.
NatMed
Calcium
Calcium is an essential nutrient found in many foods, such as dairy products, canned sardines and salmon (with bones), and leafy greens. The bones and teeth contain over 99% of all calcium in the human body. Bones are always breaking down and rebuilding. Calcium is needed for this process, but the concentration of calcium in the body tends to decline with age. Taking extra calcium helps the bones rebuild and stay strong. The heart, nerves, and blood-clotting systems also need calcium. People commonly take calcium by mouth for the treatment and prevention of low calcium levels in the blood, osteoporosis, softening of the bones, and PMS. It is also used for cancer, stroke, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses. In the US and Canada, foods that contain calcium and vitamin D are allowed to say on the label that they might reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
NatMed
Androstenedione
Androstenedione is a type of chemical known as an anabolic steroid. It is converted in the body to other sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. Androstenedione is naturally made in the body. Most androstenedione comes from the testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands. The body begins to make less androstenedione after the age of 30. People use androstenedione for muscle strength, athletic performance, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. It might also be unsafe. In the US, androstenedione is a schedule III controlled substance that is not legal for use in supplements. But it is still found in some supplement products, especially those marketed for muscle strength and athletic performance. It is also banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Don't confuse androstenedione with other compounds, including 1-androsterone, 4-androsterone, androstenediol, androstenetrione, androsterone, 1-epiandrosterone, and epiandrosterone. These are not the same.
NatMed
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is flower pollen that's collected by worker bees, mixed with nectar and bee saliva, and then packed into honeycomb cells in the hive. Bee pollen might help stimulate the immune system, but it's not clear how bee pollen causes these effects. People take bee pollen for athletic performance, hay fever, eczema, constipation, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using bee pollen for COVID-19. Bee pollens come from many different plants, so the contents of bee pollen can vary significantly. Don't confuse bee pollen with beeswax, bee venom, honey, propolis, or royal jelly. These other bee products are not the same.
NatMed
Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a mineral. Colloidal silver products were once available as OTC drug products, but in 1999 the FDA ruled that they aren't safe. Colloidal silver can kill certain germs by destroying proteins, which is why it was previously used in wound dressings. But silver has no known function in the body and is not an essential mineral. Taking silver by mouth can cause the skin to turn a permanent bluish color. It can also cause brain function problems. Colloidal silver has been used for infections, hay fever, skin conditions, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of its uses. There is also no good evidence to support using colloidal silver for COVID-19. It can be unsafe when taken by mouth, applied to the skin, or inhaled.
NatMed
Calamus
Calamus (Acorus calamus) is a grass-like plant found in swamps and near rivers. It has a long history of use in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. There are four different types of calamus. Some contain a cancer-causing chemical called beta-asarone. The North American and European varieties contain little to no beta-asarone, but others contain up to 96%. It also contains chemicals that might reduce pain and help fight infections. People use calamus for asthma, cancer, depression, diabetes, headache, stomach ulcers, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using calamus can also be unsafe. The US FDA banned calamus in 1968 due to some species containing the cancer-causing chemical beta-asarone.
NatMed
IP-6
IP-6, inositol hexaphosphate, is a vitamin-like substance. It is found in humans, animals, and many plants, especially cereals, nuts, and legumes. It can also be made in a laboratory. Some people use IP-6 to treat and prevent cancer, to reduce side effects of cancer treatment, for anemia, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In manufacturing, IP-6 is added to food to keep it from spoiling.
NatMed
Marshmallow
Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) is a plant. The leaves and the root are sometimes used to make medicine. Marshmallow is sometimes used to form a protective layer on the skin and lining of the digestive tract. It also contains chemicals that might decrease cough and fight infections. Don't confuse marshmallow with the mallow (Malva sylvestris) flower and leaf. Marshmallow leaf and root are commonly used by mouth for stomach ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Cascara Sagrada
Cascara sagrada (Frangula purshiana) is a shrub. The dried bark used to be FDA approved as an OTC laxative for constipation. It's now used in supplements. Cascara sagrada contains chemicals that stimulate the bowel and have a laxative effect. People use cascara sagrada for constipation, emptying the colon before a colonoscopy, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Cascara sagrada used to be approved by the US FDA as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug for constipation, but this approval was taken away in 2002 due to a lack of evidence. Today, you can buy cascara sagrada as a dietary supplement, but not as a drug
NatMed
European Buckthorn
European buckthorn is an herb. The berries are used to make medicine. People take European buckthorn for constipation.
NatMed
Tart Cherry
Tart cherry (Prunus cerasus), also commonly called tart cherry, is a fruit. The Montmorency tart cherry is the most popular type grown in the U.S. Tart cherry fruit contains chemicals that might reduce swelling and act as antioxidants. Some tart cherry products are marketed for specific health purposes, but up to 97% of tart cherries grown are used in cooking and baking. People commonly use tart cherry for muscle soreness after exercise, improving athletic performance, high blood pressure, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
NatMed
Gamma-oryzanol
Gamma-oryzanol is group of chemicals found in rice bran oil. It is also found in wheat bran and some fruits and vegetables. Gamma-oryzanol isn't absorbed well in the gut. Because of this, it might reduce cholesterol levels by reducing how much cholesterol is absorbed from foods. People use gamma-oryzanol for high cholesterol, symptoms of menopause, athletic performance, eczema, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
NatMed
Cade
Cade is a plant. The leaf, berries, stem, and oil extracted from the wood are used for medicine. The oil is also commonly used as a fragrance in perfumes, skin creams, and other products. Cade oil is taken by mouth or applied to the skin for many different conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using cade can also be unsafe.
NatMed
Fo-Ti
Fo-ti (Polygonum multiflorum) is the root of a climbing plant native to east Asia. It's one of the most popular herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fo-ti might affect levels of various chemicals in the body that are thought to have anti-aging effects. Fo-ti might also increase the number of hair follicles and stimulate hair growth. People use fo-ti for aging, decline in memory and thinking skills, hair loss, Alzheimer disease, heart disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse fo-ti with knotweed or hu zhang. These are not the same.
NatMed
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is made naturally in the body and also found in foods. It is used to break down carbohydrates and to make energy. Alpha-lipoic acid can be eaten in foods, such as red meat, carrots, beets, spinach, broccoli, and potatoes. It is also available in supplements. Because alpha-lipoic acid seems to work like an antioxidant, it might provide protection to the brain and also be helpful in certain liver diseases. People most commonly use alpha-lipoic acid for obesity, nerve pain due to diabetes, and high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. It is also used for altitude sickness, aging skin, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.