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LavenderNatMedLavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is an evergreen plant native to the Mediterranean. Its flower and oil have a popular scent and are also used as medicine. Lavender contains an oil that seems to have calming effects and might relax certain muscles. It also seems to have antibacterial and antifungal effects. People commonly use lavender for anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression, dementia, pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.- Sida CordifoliaNatMedSida cordifolia is a shrub native to India that now grows worldwide. It's a common ingredient in herbal preparations in many systems of traditional medicine. Sida cordifolia contains ephedrine, which is an amphetamine-like stimulant. Despite serious safety concerns, people use Sida cordifolia for asthma, allergies, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Sida cordifolia contains ephedrine, which is an amphetamine-like stimulant that can cause harmful side effects. Since April 2004, the US FDA has banned the sale of ephedra, Sida cordifolia, and other products that contain ephedrine. Don't confuse Side cordifolia with Chinese Mallow, Mallow, or Marshmallow. These are not the same.
- JequirityNatMedJequirity is a climbing plant. The roots, leaves, and beans have been used as medicine. Jequirity is poisonous. Despite serious safety concerns, some people take jequirity by mouth for asthma, constipation, liver disease, and other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- 7-Keto-DHEANatMed7-keto-DHEA is formed from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the body. Unlike DHEA, 7-keto-DHEA is not converted to hormones like androgen and estrogen. 7-keto-DHEA has effects that might promote weight loss by speeding up the body's metabolism and converting more energy to heat instead of storing it as fat. People take 7-keto-DHEA for obesity, muscle strength, anxiety, depression, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse 7-keto-DHEA with DHEA, 7-alpha-hydroxy-DHEA, 7-beta-hydroxy-DHEA, or raspberry ketone. These are not the same.
- Acetyl-L-CarnitineNatMedAcetyl-L-carnitine is made from L-carnitine in the body. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine are used to help the body turn fat into energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine is important for many body processes. L-carnitine is made in the human brain, liver, and kidneys. The body can convert L-carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine and vice versa. It's not clear if the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine are from the chemical itself, from the L-carnitine it can make, or from some other chemical. Acetyl-L-carnitine is sometimes used for Alzheimer disease, improving memory and thinking skills, treating symptoms of depression, and reducing nerve pain in people with diabetes. It is used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
- Whey ProteinNatMedWhey protein is the protein from whey, the watery portion of milk that separates from the curds when making cheese. It is commonly used as a protein supplement. Whey protein might improve the nutrient content of the diet and also have effects on the immune system. People commonly use whey protein for age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). It is also used for asthma, diabetes, weight loss, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Don't confuse whey protein with chemicals like branched-chain amino acids and lactoferrin, which are found in whey protein. Also, don't confuse whey protein with casein protein or casein peptides, which are also found in milk. These are not the same.
- CatnipNatMedCatnip (Nepeta cataria) is a plant famous for the excitement it creates in cats. The flowering tops are used to make medicine. Catnip contains chemicals that might have a calming effect. It's not clear if it has the same effects in humans as it does in cats. The oils in catnip might also have insect repellant effects. People use catnip for anxiety, colic, common cold, insomnia, repelling mosquitos, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse catnip with schizonepeta. These are not the same.
- New Zealand Green-Lipped MusselNatMedNew Zealand green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a shellfish with a green shell. It's eaten in New Zealand as food and also used in supplements. New Zealand green-lipped mussel might contain chemicals that help decrease swelling or inflammation. People use New Zealand green-lipped mussel for asthma, arthritis, muscle soreness, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- 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.
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