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WormwoodNatMedWormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is an herb used in the alcoholic drinks vermouth and absinthe. Its oil contains the chemical thujone, which may be poisonous. The thujone in wormwood oil excites the central nervous system and can cause seizures and other adverse effects. Other chemicals in wormwood might decrease swelling. People use wormwood for digestion problems, Crohn disease, a kidney disorder called IgA nephropathy, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using wormwood for COVID-19. Using thujone-containing wormwood products can be unsafe. Don't confuse wormwood with Artemisia herba-alba, Mugwort, Sweet Annie, Wormseed, or Ginger. These are not the same.- AngosturaNatMedAngostura is a small tree. It is native to Venezuela and other tropical parts of South America. The bark is used to make medicine. People use angostura for fever, diarrhea, spasms, preventing the return of malaria, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, angostura is used in alcoholic beverages. But "angostura bitters," which is sometimes used in mixing alcoholic beverages, no longer contains angostura. It is now made from gentian and other bitters.
- CapersNatMedThe caper bush is a plant. The fruit, unopened flower bud, other parts that grow above the ground, and the root are all used for medicine. Capers are used for diabetes. They are also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support the use of capers for any condition. Capers are also eaten as a food and used as a flavoring.
- Fucus VesiculosusNatMedFucus vesiculosus is a type of brown seaweed that grows in the Baltic Sea, Atlantic Ocean, and North Pacific Ocean. The whole plant is used as medicine. Fucus vesiculosus contains varying amounts of iodine. Iodine might help prevent or treat some thyroid disorders. Fucus vesiculosus also might have antidiabetic effects and affect hormone levels. People use Fucus vesiculosus for thyroid disorders, obesity, aging skin, constipation, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Fucus vesiculosus with algin, bladderwort, blue-green algae, ecklonia cava, or laminaria. These are not the same.
- LovageNatMedLovage is a plant. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. Lovage is used for kidney damage in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), indigestion, kidney stones, cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, lovage is used for flavoring. In manufacturing, lovage is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
- JuniperNatMedJuniper is an evergreen tree found in Europe, North America, and Asia. There are many varieties, but Juniperus communis is most common in North America. Juniper berries contain chemicals that might decrease swelling. It might also have antibacterial effects and increase the need to urinate. People use juniper for cancer, diabetes, gas, indigestion, kidney stones, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse juniper with cade, which is commonly called cade juniper or oil of juniper. These are not the same.
- ArnicaNatMedArnica is an herb sometimes used to flavor foods. It can be poisonous when consumed in larger amounts. Arnica gel can be applied to the skin for osteoarthritis. The active chemicals in arnica may reduce swelling, decrease pain, and act as antibiotics. But arnica can be unsafe when taken by mouth unless it's used in homeopathic dilutions. Homeopathic products contain extreme dilutions of the active chemicals. People most commonly use arnica for pain caused by osteoarthritis. It is also used for bleeding, bruising, swelling after surgery, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Arnica is also used as a flavor ingredient in beverages, candy, baked goods, and other foods.
- Male FernNatMedMale fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is an evergreen plant that grows in Nigeria. Traditional healers use it as medicine, but it is a very poisonous plant. Male fern contains chemicals that can kill intestinal worms such as tapeworms. But taking male fern by mouth can cause death. Despite serious safety concerns, some people use male fern for rheumatoid arthritis, intestinal parasites, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Hercules ClubNatMedHercules club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) is a plant. The bark and berry are sometimes used to make medicine. Hercules club is used for blood circulation problems, inflammatory conditions, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
- LemongrassNatMedLemongrass is a plant in the grass family. There are over 100 lemongrass species, including Cymbopogon citratus, which is often used in foods and medicine. Lemongrass leaf and essential oil contain chemicals that might help prevent some bacteria and yeast from growing. Lemongrass also contains chemicals that might relieve pain and swelling. People use lemongrass for stomach pain, dandruff, high cholesterol, gingivitis, thrush, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse lemongrass with other plants and ingredients that have similar names, including citronella oil, lemon eucalyptus, and citronella (stone root). These are not the same.
- SorrelNatMedSorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a plant that grows in mild climates worldwide. It contains oxalate, which gives it a sour flavor. Sorrel contains tannins, which have a drying effect that reduce mucous production. People use sorrel for breast cancer, bronchitis, swelling in the sinuses, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse sorrel with wood sorrel, yellow dock, or Hibiscus sabdariffa. These are not the same. Products containing sorrel are available over-the-counter and by prescription in some European countries.
- GlutathioneNatMedGlutathione is a substance made from the amino acids glycine, cysteine, and glutamic acid. It is produced by the liver and involved in many body processes. Glutathione is involved in tissue building and repair, making chemicals and proteins needed in the body, and in immune system function. People take glutathione for aging, alcohol use disorder, liver disease, heart disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- GentianNatMedGentian (Gentiana lutea) is a plant that grows in the mountains in Europe. It's often known as bitter wort or bitter root. Its roots are used as medicine. Gentian contains chemicals that might reduce blood pressure by widening blood vessels. It might also have effects that reduce appetite. People use gentian for diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse gentian with Canadian hemp, which is also called bitter root. These are not the same. Also note that the highly toxic white hellebore (Veratrum album) can be misidentified as gentian. It has caused accidental poisoning when used in homemade preparations.
- Brewer's YeastNatMedBrewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is used in beer brewing. It is sometimes used as a food additive and is also available as a dietary supplement. Some brewer's yeast products contain live yeast, while others contain non-living yeast. Brewer's yeast is a source of B vitamins and protein. It also contains chromium, which might help the body use insulin better and lower blood sugar levels. Brewer's yeast also seems to increase enzymes in the stomach that could relieve diarrhea and improve the body's defense against viral infections like the flu. People use brewer's yeast for diabetes, flu, diarrhea, high cholesterol, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Collagen Type II (native)NatMedCollagen type II (native) is a protein that is part of the cartilage, bone, and other types of connective tissues in animals and humans. Collagen type II might work by causing the body to produce chemicals that fight pain and swelling. But this is unproven. Most collagen type II found in supplements comes from chicken. Some collagen type II in supplements comes from cows. Collagen type II is used for osteoarthritis. It is also used for other types of joint and muscle pain, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses. Don't confuse collagen type II (native) with collagen peptides, collagen type I (native), or gelatin.
- ChlorophyllNatMedChlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants. Food sources include green leafy vegetables, wheatgrass, green tea, potatoes, and some algae and herbs. In supplements, common chlorophyll sources include alfalfa, algae, and silkworm droppings. But many "chlorophyll" supplements actually contain chlorophyllin, a chemical made from chlorophyll. There isn't enough information available to know how chlorophyll might work. Chlorophyll is used for acne, wound healing, hay fever, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- CereusNatMedCereus is an herb. People use the flower, stem, and young shoots for medicine. Cereus is used for chest pain (angina), fluid retention associated with weak heart function (heart failure), and as a heart stimulant. Cereus is also used for bladder infections and other urinary tract problems, bleeding, and shortness of breath. Women use it for painful or heavy menstrual periods. Cereus is sometimes applied directly to the skin for joint pain.
- CarrageenanNatMedCarrageenan is made from parts of various red seaweeds in the Rhodophyceae family. It's commonly used to thicken foods, but it has no nutritional value. Carrageenan has been added to processed foods since the 1950s. Carrageenan might also help fight infections. People use carrageenan for cough, common cold, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any uses.
- CamphorNatMedCamphor is a chemical that used to be made by distilling the bark and wood of the camphor tree. Today, camphor is usually made from turpentine oil. Camphor has a very distinct smell. It seems to stimulate nerves and help with symptoms such as pain and itching. In the nose, camphor seems to create a cold sensation so that breathing feels easier. It's used in products such as Vicks VapoRub. People use camphor for cough, pain, and itching. It is also used for insect bites, acne, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Taking camphor by mouth is unsafe. Camphor products include camphorated oil or camphorated spirits. Camphorated oil was removed from the US market in the 1980s due to accidental poisonings.
- ElderflowerNatMedElderflower is the flower of the European or black elder tree (Sambucus nigra), which is also the source of elderberry. Its flower is used as medicine. Elderflower contains chemicals that have antioxidant effects. It also contains chemicals that might have antidiabetic effects. People use elderflower for common cold, constipation, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse elderflower with American elder, dwarf elder, or elderberry. These are not the same.
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