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NoniNatMedNoni (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.- Ba Ji TianNatMedBa 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.
- Sweet AnnieNatMedSweet 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.
- Sangre de GradoNatMedSangre 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.
- LuteinNatMedLutein 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.
- Gotu KolaNatMedGotu 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.
- Roman ChamomileNatMedRoman 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.
- SqualamineNatMedSqualamine 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.
- KudzuNatMedKudzu (Pueraria montana) is a climbing vine native to Asia. It's now an invasive vine in the US. The root, flower, and leaf are used as medicine. Kudzu contains ingredients that might counteract the effects of alcohol. It might also have effects like estrogen. People use kudzu for alcohol use disorder, heart disease, diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse kudzu with arrowroot, arum, cassava, wahoo, or zedoary. These are not the same.
- BistortNatMedBistort is a perennial plant. The root, underground stem (rhizome), and leaves are used to make medicine. Bistort is used for diarrhea, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- VanadiumNatMedVanadium is a trace mineral regularly consumed in the diet. It's found in mushrooms, shellfish, black pepper, parsley, grains, and also drinking water. Vanadium might act like insulin or help to increase the effects of insulin. People use vanadium for preventing vanadium deficiency. It is also used for prediabetes, diabetes, athletic performance, cancer, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- CocaNatMedCoca (Erythroxylum coca) is a plant. The leaves are sometimes used to make medicinal tea. They are also a source of cocaine, an illegal drug in the US. The cocaine found in coca can cause an increase in brain activity and have numbing (anesthetic) effects. Cocaine is highly addictive. People use coca leaves for fatigue, asthma, altitude sickness, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using coca can also be unsafe.
- Viburnum opulusNatMedViburnum opulus is a flowering shrub. Many parts of the plant have been used as medicine. Viburnum opulus is native to Europe and parts of Africa, Asia, and North America. In North America, the bark of the plant has traditionally been used to relieve cramps and is called cramp bark. Viburnum opulus is used for muscle cramps, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney stones, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- PartridgeberryNatMedPartridgeberry is an herb. The stem and leaves are used to make medicine. People use partridgeberry for menstrual cramps, childbirth, sore nipples, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any uses. Taking partridgeberry by mouth may also be unsafe.
- Chondroitin SulfateNatMedChondroitin sulfate is a chemical found in human and animal cartilage. It is commonly used by mouth with glucosamine or other ingredients for osteoarthritis. Chondroitin sulfate is one of the building blocks of cartilage. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints breaks down. Taking chondroitin sulfate might slow this breakdown. It is usually manufactured from animal sources, such as shark and cow cartilage. It can also be made in a lab. Chondroitin sulfate is used for osteoarthritis and cataracts. It is often used together with other ingredients, including manganese ascorbate, hyaluronic acid, collagen peptides, or glucosamine. Chondroitin sulfate is also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- SquillNatMedSquill (Urginea indica) is a plant native to Africa, India, and the Mediterranean. Its bulb is used in traditional medicine. Squill contains chemicals called cardiac glycosides. These chemicals can have toxic effects on the heart. People sometimes use squill for a lung disease that makes it harder to breathe (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), asthma, patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using squill can also be unsafe and may lead to serious adverse effects.
- Inositol NicotinateNatMedInositol nicotinate is a compound made of niacin (vitamin B3) and inositol. Inositol occurs naturally in the body and can also be made in the laboratory. Inositol nicotinate is used for blood circulation problems, including a painful response to cold, especially in the fingers and toes (Raynaud syndrome). It is also used for high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Glossy PrivetNatMedGlossy privet is a plant. The ripe fruit is used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum) with other species of privet such as Japanese privet, border privet, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense), common privet, golden privet, and others. Glossy privet is used for promoting growth and darkening of hair, reducing facial dark spots, rapid heartbeat (palpitations), achy joints (rheumatism), swelling, tumors, dizziness (vertigo), common cold, congestion, constipation, deafness, fever, headache, liver disease (hepatitis), trouble sleeping (insomnia), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), promoting youthfulness, and extending lifespan. It is also used to induce sweating, as a tonic, for improving immune function, and for reducing the side effects of cancer treatment (chemotherapy). Glossy privet is also used for blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and sore back and knees.
- BogbeanNatMedBogbean is a plant. The bogbean fruit resembles a small bean and is commonly found in swamps or bogs, which is the reason for its name. People use the bogbean leaf to make medicine. People use bogbean for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), scurvy, loss of appetite, indigestion (dyspepsia), and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In food manufacturing, bogbean is used as a flavoring.
- ButternutNatMedButternut is a plant. People use the bark for medicine. Butternut is used for constipation, gallbladder disease, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
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