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Results 781-800 of 3153

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.
NatMed
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a plant found throughout Europe and Asia. The leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruits are used as medicine. Sea buckthorn contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C, as well as other active ingredients. It's been used traditionally to slow down the aging process. People use sea buckthorn for burns, eczema, acne, indigestion, high blood pressure, wrinkled skin, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of uses. Don't confuse sea buckthorn with other plants known as "buckthorn," including alder buckthorn, European buckthorn, and Cascara sagrada. These are not the same.
NatMed
Huperzine A
Huperzine A is a chemical that comes from Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata) or fir club moss (Huperzia selago) plants. It can also be made in a lab. Huperzine A was identified for medicinal use by scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the 1980s. It increases levels of a chemical called acetylcholine. This seems to help treat diseases that interfere with memory and thinking. People use huperzine A to improve memory and mental function in people with Alzheimer disease or other types of dementia. It is also used for depression, schizophrenia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse huperzine A, which is also called selagine, with similar sounding medications such as selegiline (Eldepryl). Also don't confuse one of the brand names for huperzine A (Cerebra) with brand names for unrelated prescription drugs such as celecoxib (Celebrex) and citalopram (Celexa).
NatMed
Lentinan
Lentinan is a substance that comes from the shiitake mushroom. Some medical professionals use lentinan to boost the effects of regular medicines used for treating cancer and HIV infection, and for other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Kinetin
Kinetin is a cytokinin. Cytokinins are compounds that stimulate plants to grow. Kinetin occurs naturally in humans and is sometimes used to make medicine. People use kinetin most often for aging skin, skin wrinkles from sun damage, and a skin condition that causes redness on the face (rosacea), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Bacopa
Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is sometimes called Brahmi. Bacopa might increase certain brain chemicals that are involved in thinking, learning, and memory. It might also protect brain cells from chemicals involved in Alzheimer disease. Bacopa is commonly used for Alzheimer disease, memory and thinking skills, anxiety, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses. Do not confuse bacopa with gotu kola. Both plants are sometimes called Brahmi.
NatMed
Progesterone
Progesterone is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It's involved in pregnancy and is produced mainly in the ovaries. It can also be made in a lab. Progesterone levels can affect menstrual periods and menopausal symptoms. All progesterone products are made in a lab. The term "natural progesterone" refers to progesterone made from a chemical called diosgenin, which comes from wild yam or soy. The human body is not able to make progesterone from diosgenin, so eating wild yam or soy will not boost progesterone levels. People use progesterone supplements and other non-prescription products for infertility, menopausal symptoms, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Non-prescription progesterone products may contain more or less progesterone than indicated on the label. These products do not require FDA approval. Discuss the use of prescription progesterone products with a healthcare provider. Also, don't confuse progesterone with pregnenolone or wild yam. These are not the same.
NatMed
Yohimbe
Yohimbe (Pausinystalia yohimbe) is an evergreen tree native to Africa. Its bark contains the chemical yohimbine, traditionally used as an aphrodisiac. The yohimbine in yohimbe can increase blood flow and nerve impulses to the penis or vagina. It can also help counteract the sexual side effects of certain medications used for depression. People most commonly use yohimbe for sexual problems. It is also used to boost mood, for athletic performance, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Noni
Noni (Morinda citrifolia) is an evergreen tree with large leaves and yellow fruit. It's found in the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India. Noni roots, stem, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruit have all been used as medicine. The fruit juice in particular is very high in potassium. It also contains vitamin C, vitamin A, and many other chemicals that might help repair damaged cells in the body and activate the immune system. People use noni for cancer, high blood pressure, athletic performance, aging skin, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. The US FDA has issued multiple warnings to noni manufacturers for making health claims that aren't supported by research.
NatMed
Ba Ji Tian
Ba ji tian is a plant. The root of the plant is used to make medicine. Ba ji tian is used for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Ba ji tian is also stir-fried and eaten as a food.
NatMed
Sweet Annie
Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is a plant used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Sweet Annie contains a chemical called artemisinin, which seems to act against the parasites that cause malaria. Some drug manufacturers make anti-malarial drugs from artemisinin that they have modified in the lab. People use Sweet Annie for hay fever, malaria, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Sweet Annie with Artemisia herba-alba, mugwort, wormseed, or wormwood. These are not the same. Also, the chemical made from Sweet Annie that is used in prescription drugs for malaria is not covered in this summary.
NatMed
Sangre de Grado
Sangre de grado is a tree that grows in the Amazon region of South America. The tree bark and sap are used to make medicine. A chemical in sangre de grado known as crofelemer (SP-303) was approved as a drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diarrhea in people with HIV/AIDS. It is also sometimes used for travelers' diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but it has not been approved by the FDA for these uses. Sangra de grado supplement products have not been studied for these conditions. Sangre de grado supplements are sometimes used for the common cold, upper airway infections, ulcers, and many other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Lutein
Lutein is a type of organic pigment called a carotenoid. It is related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Many people think of lutein as "the eye vitamin." Lutein is one of two major carotenoids found in the human eye (macula and retina). It is thought to function as a light filter, protecting the eye tissues from sunlight damage. Foods rich in lutein include egg yolks, spinach, kale, corn, orange pepper, kiwi fruit, grapes, zucchini, and squash. People commonly use lutein to prevent eye diseases, including cataracts and a disease that leads to vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration or AMD). Lutein is used for heart disease, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
NatMed
Gotu Kola
Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is an herb in the parsley family. It has a long history of use in the traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine systems. Gotu kola contains certain chemicals that seem to decrease swelling and blood pressure. It also seems to increase collagen production, which might be helpful for wound healing. People use gotu kola for burns and poor circulation that can lead to varicose veins. It is also used for scars, stretch marks, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
NatMed
Roman Chamomile
Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a plant native to Morocco and Europe. It's different from German chamomile, which is more commonly used in teas. Roman chamomile contains chemicals that might have anticancer, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory effects. People take Roman chamomile for hay fever, anxiety, eczema, stress, insomnia, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Squalamine
Squalamine is a chemical found in the stomach and liver of the spiny dogfish shark. Squalamine can also be made in the lab. Squalamine is a chemical called an aminosterol. It has effects that might prevent bacteria from growing and causing infections. It also might prevent the growth of tumors. People use squalamine for age-related vision loss, lung cancer, ringworm, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse squalamine with shark cartilage or shark liver oil. These contain squalamine but they are not the same.