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TamarindNatMedTamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a tree found in tropical Africa and southern Asia. The fruit pulp is widely used in Asian culture. Tamarind contains ingredients that might have laxative effects and fight against certain fungi and bacteria. It also contains a chemical that is similar to mucin found in the eye. Mucin helps protect and wet the surface of the cornea. People use tamarind for dry eye, constipation, parasite infections, early orgasm (premature ejaculation), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.- GarciniaNatMedGarcinia (Garcinia gummi-gutta) is a tree that grows in India and Southeast Asia. The fruit rind contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA used in dietary supplements usually comes from garcinia. It might prevent fat storage, control appetite, and increase exercise endurance. But it's unclear if these effects occur in humans. People commonly use garcinia for obesity, athletic performance, joint pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse garcinia with gamboge, Malabar nut, mangosteen, or tamarind. These are not the same.
- AckeeNatMedAckee (Blighia sapida) is an evergreen tree that makes fruit. Ripe ackee fruit is commonly eaten as food in Jamaica. Unripe ackee fruit is poisonous. The ripe ackee fruit contains fatty acids. The unripe ackee fruit contains poisonous chemicals that can cause dangerously low blood sugar, liver damage, and death. Most ackee products have been banned from import into the US due to concerns about poisoning from the unripe fruit. People use ackee for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Eating unripe ackee fruit is unsafe.
- Apple Cider VinegarNatMedApple cider vinegar is the fermented juice from crushed apples. It contains acetic acid and nutrients such as B vitamins and vitamin C. Apple cider vinegar is popularly used in salad dressings and cooking. But it's also been used traditionally as medicine. It might help lower blood sugar levels after a meal by changing how foods are absorbed from the gut. Apple cider vinegar is used for obesity, diabetes, athletic performance, kidney stones, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using apple cider vinegar for COVID-19.
- OatsNatMedOat (Avena sativa) is a type of cereal grain. People often eat the plant's whole seeds (oats), outer seed layers (oat bran), and leaves and stems (oat straw). Oats might reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and help control appetite by making you feel full. Oat bran might work by keeping the gut from absorbing substances that can lead to heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Oats seem to reduce swelling when applied to the skin. Oat bran and whole oats are used for heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. They are also used for high blood pressure, cancer, dry skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- LingonberryNatMedLingonberry is a plant. The leaves and berries are used to make medicine. Lingonberry is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, gout, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, lingonberry berries are used in jams, syrups, baked goods, and juice. Lingonberry leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for bearberry (uva ursi) leaves. Don't confuse lingonberry for uva ursi, cranberry, or cramp bark.
- CocoaNatMedCocoa beans are the seeds of the cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao). The beans are used to make chocolate and are a source of many antioxidants. Cocoa contains a variety of chemicals, including antioxidants called flavonoids. It's not clear how these might work in the body, but they appear to relax the blood vessels. This could lead to lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation and blockage of blood vessels. People most commonly use cocoa for heart disease and high blood pressure. It is also used for high cholesterol, memory, aging skin, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- Terminalia arjunaNatMedTerminalia arjuna is a tree. Its bark is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. The bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree contains chemicals that might stimulate the heart. It might also have effects that lower cholesterol and blood pressure. People use Terminalia arjuna for chest pain, asthma, athletic performance, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Terminalia arjuna with other Terminalia species, including Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellirica. These are not the same.
- PumpkinNatMedPumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) is a plant native to South America that now grows worldwide. The seed and its oil are used to make medicine. The chemicals in pumpkin seed can increase urination, which might help relieve bladder and prostate discomfort. Some chemicals might also reduce swelling in the prostate. The pumpkin fruit and seed are commonly used in foods. People commonly use pumpkin for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is also used for balding, UTIs, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- AllspiceNatMedAllspice (Pimenta dioica) is a tree. The unripe berries and leaves are used as a spice. They are also sometimes used as medicine. Allspice contains a chemical called eugenol, which is thought to have some beneficial effects for pain and infection. People use allspice for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- PotatoNatMedPotato is a plant. The fleshy part of the root (potato) is commonly eaten as a vegetable. Potato is also used to make medicine. People use potatoes for diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, indigestion (dyspepsia), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, potato is eaten, used as a source of starch, and fermented into alcohol.
- Deer VelvetNatMedDeer velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that becomes deer antlers. It's sometimes used as medicine in Western countries. Deer velvet contains multiple substances including the female sex hormones estrone and estradiol. It also contains substances that might help cells grow and function. People use deer velvet for athletic performance, high blood pressure, increasing sexual desire, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- GlucosamineNatMedGlucosamine is a chemical found in the body. Glucosamine supplements are sold as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl glucosamine. Glucosamine is used by the body to make other chemicals that build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the fluid that surrounds joints. Joints are cushioned by the fluid and cartilage around them. Taking glucosamine might increase the cartilage and fluid around joints and/or help prevent their breakdown. People commonly use glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine hydrochloride for osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is also used for joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- 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.
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