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Wild ThymeNatMedWild thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a shrub with long, trailing stems that is native to Europe. Its flowering parts have been used in traditional medicine. Wild thyme contains an essential oil that might have antioxidant and antibacterial effects. People use wild thyme for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse wild thyme with thyme, which is a similar species, or with Spanish origanum oil, which is sometimes called "Spanish thyme." These are not the same.- EucalyptusNatMedEucalyptus is a tree. Its leaves and oil have been consumed, chewed, and applied to the skin for many conditions. Eucalyptus contains many different chemicals. These chemicals might have various effects in the body. Also, some research suggests that eucalyptus may have activity against bacteria and fungi. People use eucalyptus for many conditions including asthma, bronchitis, flu (influenza), and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Red-spur ValerianNatMedRed-spur valerian (Centranthus ruber) is a plant. The root has been used to make medicine. People use red-spur valerian for sleep and relaxation, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Do not confuse red-spur valerian with Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). These are not the same.
- Horny Goat WeedNatMedHorny goat weed refers to various herb species of the Epimedium genus, and may be known as "yin yang huo." It has limited evidence of health benefits. Horny goat weed contains chemicals that might help increase blood flow and improve sexual function. It also contains phytoestrogens, chemicals that act somewhat like the hormone estrogen. People use horny goat weed for erectile dysfunction (ED), sexual problems, weak and brittle bones, health problems after menopause, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
- Lavender CottonNatMedLavender cotton is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground and root bark are used to make medicine. People use lavender cotton for conditions such as digestion problems, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infection of the intestines by parasites, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse lavender cotton with lavender. They are different plants and have very different scents.
- Ylang Ylang OilNatMedYlang ylang oil is made from the flowers of Cananga odorata genuina. It is sometimes inhaled as aromatherapy or applied to the skin as medicine. Ylang ylang oil is used as a food flavoring and as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps. It contains chemicals that might make people feel calm. Ylang ylang oil has been used for lice, memory and thinking skills (cognitive function), high blood pressure, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Do not confuse ylang ylang oil with Cananga oil. Cananga oil is made from the flowers of a similar plant, called Cananga odorata macrophylla.
- Willard WaterNatMedWillard water is chemically processed water containing ingredients such as rock salt, calcium chloride, and magnesium sulfate. Willard water was developed in the early twentieth century at the South Dakota School of Mines by a chemistry professor named John Wesley Willard, Ph.D. He developed and patented this special water as an industrial cleanser to clean and degrease train parts. People in the town tried taking Willard water as medicine. Soon Willard water became legendary as a cure-all for almost every disease known to humans and animals, and as a plant fertilizer. People take Willard water for arthritis, acne, anxiety, nervous stomach, high blood pressure, ulcers, and hair loss. Willard water is used as a treatment for leukemia in cows and cats. In manufacturing, Willard water is used as a food preserver and a laundry aid.
- VetiverNatMedVetiver is a plant. The root is used to make medicine. People take vetiver for nerve and circulation problems and for stomach pain. Some women take vetiver to start their periods or to cause an abortion. Vetiver is sometimes applied directly to the skin for relieving stress, as well as for emotional traumas and shock, lice, and repelling insects. It is also used for arthritis, stings, and burns. Vetiver is sometimes inhaled as aromatherapy for nervousness, insomnia, and joint and muscle pain. In manufacturing, vetiver is used as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
- UsneaNatMedUsnea (Usnea barbata) is a lichen that grows on trees. Lichens appear to be a single plant, but they are really fungus and algae that grow together. Usnea contains chemicals that are thought to fight germs that might cause infections. These chemicals might also decrease swelling, pain, and fever. People use usnea for cough, obesity, pain, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse usnea with another lichen called oak moss. These are not the same.
- Bog BilberryNatMedBog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) is a plant. The dried or ripe fruit is eaten as food and is sometimes used to make medicine. Bog bilberry fruit contains chemicals that might help reduce swelling. People use bog bilberry for eye strain, diarrhea, bladder problems, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Do not to confuse bog bilberry with bilberry or blueberry. These are not the same.
- Tree of HeavenNatMedTree of heaven is a plant. The dried bark from the trunk and root are sometimes used in folk medicine. Tree of heaven is used for diarrhea, asthma, cramps, epilepsy, fast heart rate, gonorrhea, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In manufacturing, tree of heaven is used as insecticide.
- PapainNatMedPapain is an enzyme found in the white fluid (latex) that occurs in raw papaya fruit. It is a protease, meaning it breaks down proteins. Papain contains substances that might help fight infection and heal wounds. People use papain for dental cavities, shingles, parasite infections, jellyfish stings, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse papain with papaya or American pawpaw. These are not the same. Also don't confuse papain with other proteolytic enzymes (proteases).
- Phaseolus VulgarisNatMedPhaseolus vulgaris are a group of plants that produces various types of beans, including kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, navy beans, and many others. Phaseolus vulgaris beans and bean pods are a source of dietary fiber, protein, and carbohydrates. Fiber might help reduce how much cholesterol the body absorbs. Enzymes in Phaseolus vulgaris beans might also decrease how much starch the body absorbs. People use Phaseolus vulgaris for obesity. It is also used for diabetes, colon cancer, high cholesterol, kidney stones, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- TragacanthNatMedTragacanth (Astragalus gummifer) is a shrub that grows in areas of the Middle East. The sap-like material (resin) of the bark is used to make medicine. Tragacanth contains chemicals that stimulate the bowel. People use tragacanth for diarrhea, constipation, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse tragacanth with astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). These are not the same plant.
- Tonka BeanNatMedTonka beans are the seeds of the tonka bean tree (Dipteryx odorata). Despite safety concerns, the fruit and seed have been used as medicine. Tonka bean contains chemicals that might reduce swelling and water retention. People use tonka bean for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Tonka bean is also unsafe.
- TansyNatMedTansy is a plant. Despite serious safety concerns, the parts of the tansy plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Tansy is used for digestive tract problems including stomach and intestinal ulcers, certain gallbladder conditions, migraines, nerve pain, joint pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using tansy might also cause toxic effects. Be careful not to confuse tansy with tansy ragwort (Senecio species) and other plants generically referred to as "tansy."
- Bay LeafNatMedBay leaf is an herb that is commonly used in cooking. It comes from the bay tree (Laurus nobilis), which is commonly found in the Mediterranean region. Bay leaf is also used in folk medicine. Chemicals in bay leaf might affect blood sugar and cholesterol levels. People use bay leaf for diabetes, common cold, high cholesterol, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Summer SavoryNatMedSummer savory is a plant. The leaves and stem are used to make medicine. People take summer savory for cough, stomach pain, gas (flatulence), diarrhea, loss of appetite, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, summer savory is used as a culinary spice. The oil is used as a flavoring agent.
- StoraxNatMedStorax is an oily resin (balsam) from Liquidambar orientalis or Liquidambar styraciflua tree trunks. The wood secretes storax when the bark is damaged. Storax contains chemicals that might have antibacterial effects and reduce swelling. It's obtained by scoring the outer tree bark, then boiling the inner bark in water, and then pressing the inner bark in cold water. People use storax for stomach pain, eczema, common cold, cough, diarrhea, epilepsy, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse storax with other products that are also commonly called liquid amber, including succinate and St. John's wort. These are not the same.
- SteviaNatMedStevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a bushy shrub native to northeast Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. It's best known as a natural sweetener. Stevia contains chemicals that are 200-300 times sweeter than sucrose sugar. People take stevia for obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In the US, stevia leaves and extracts are available as supplements, but are not approved for use as sweeteners. Rebaudioside A (also called rebiana), one of the chemicals in stevia, is approved as a food sweetener.
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