Results 821-840 of 3295
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 sometimes use oleander for heart failure, cancer, COVID-19, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Oleander is also unsafe to use. Oleander is very similar another plant called yellow oleander. Both plants contain cardiac glycosides and are poisonous.
- 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.
- Indian SnakerootNatMedIndian 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.
- SAMeNatMedSAMe 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.
- Bovine ColostrumNatMedBovine 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.
- Indian GooseberryNatMedIndian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) is a tree native to India and the Middle East. It's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. In Ayurvedic medicine, Indian gooseberry is used alone or as part of Triphala. Triphala consists of Indian gooseberry, Terminalia bellirica, and Terminalia chebula. Indian gooseberry may reduce cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects. 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.
- WintergreenNatMedWintergreen (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.
- LaurelwoodNatMedLaurelwood 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.
- CalciumNatMedCalcium 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.
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