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  1. Gamboge
    NatMed
    Gamboge
    Gamboge is a gum-like substance (resin) from the trunk of the Garcinia hanburyi tree. Don't confuse gamboge with garcinia (Garcinia cambogia). Gamboge is used for cancer, constipation, infections of the intestines by parasites, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using gamboge can also be unsafe. Some gamboge products are "stretched" by adding rice and wheat starches, sand, and vegetable fragments. You can spot these adulterated products because they are usually coarser and harder than pure gamboge.

  2. Galbanum
    NatMed
    Galbanum
    Galbanum (Ferula gummosa) is an herb from Iran, Turkey, and the Mediterranean. A gum-like material, or resin, from its stems is used to make medicine. Galbanum might reduce swelling and help fight certain types of bacteria. People use galbanum for wound healing, cough, digestion problems, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  3. Stinging Nettle
    NatMed
    Stinging Nettle
    Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a plant with pointed leaves and white to yellowish flowers. The root and above ground parts are used for diabetes. The stinging nettle plant is typically 2-4 meters tall. It contains ingredients that might decrease swelling and increase urination. The leaves are sometimes eaten as a cooked vegetable. People commonly use stinging nettle for diabetes. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, enlarged prostate, hay fever, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Don't confuse stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) with white dead nettle (Lamium album).

  4. Hydrangea
    NatMed
    Hydrangea
    Hydrangea is a shrub. It grows in eastern and north-central parts of the United States. The root and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. People use hydrangea for bladder infections, prostate infections, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Hydrangea might also be unsafe when used in large amounts.

  5. Turmeric
    NatMed
    Turmeric
    Turmeric is a common spice that comes from the root of Curcuma longa. It contains a chemical called curcumin, which might reduce swelling. Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butters, and cheeses. Because curcumin and other chemicals in turmeric might decrease swelling, it is often used to treat conditions that involve pain and inflammation. People commonly use turmeric for depression, hay fever, and osteoarthritis. It is also used for asthma, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using turmeric for COVID-19. Don't confuse turmeric with Javanese turmeric root or tree turmeric. Also, don't confuse it with zedoary or goldenseal, which are unrelated plants that are sometimes called turmeric.

  6. Tarragon
    NatMed
    Tarragon
    Tarragon is an herb. The parts of the tarragon plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Some people call tarragon "mugwort". Be careful not to confuse tarragon with another plant called mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). Tarragon is used for indigestion (dyspepsia), poor appetite, nausea and vomiting after surgery, toothache, sleep problems, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, tarragon is used as a culinary herb. In manufacturing, tarragon is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.

  7. Queen's Delight
    NatMed
    Queen's Delight
    Queen’s delight is a plant. The root is used as medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take queen’s delight to treat liver disease, gallbladder disorders, skin diseases, constipation, bronchitis, and hoarseness (laryngitis). It is also used to cause vomiting and as a “blood purifier.” Some people apply queen’s delight directly to the affected area to treat skin diseases and hemorrhoids.

  8. Iporuru
    NatMed
    Iporuru
    Iporuru (Alchornea castaneifolia) is a tree native to Africa and the Amazon rainforest. The bark, leaves, and root are sometimes used to make medicine. People take iporuru for joint pain, acute pain, diabetes, airway infections, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.

  9. Traveler's Joy
    NatMed
    Traveler's Joy
    Traveler's joy is an herb. The leaves are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take traveler's joy for diseases of the male genitals and migraine headaches. Traveler's joy is sometimes applied directly to the skin for poorly healing wounds and for migraine headaches.

  10. Globe Flower
    NatMed
    Globe Flower
    Globe flower is a plant. The whole fresh plant is used to make medicine. Globe flower is used for a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency (scurvy), but there is no good scientific evidence to support this use. Using fresh globe flower can also be unsafe.

  11. Buttercup
    NatMed
    Buttercup
    Buttercup is a plant. People dry the parts that grow above the ground and use them for medicine. Fresh preparations are very irritating and should not be used. Despite safety concerns, buttercup is used for arthritis, nerve pain, skin problems, and swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis), but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  12. Marsh Marigold
    NatMed
    Marsh Marigold
    Marsh marigold is a plant. People use the flowering parts that grow above the ground to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take marsh marigold for pain, menstrual disorders, swollen airways (bronchitis), yellowed skin (jaundice), liver disorders, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  13. Alchemilla
    NatMed
    Alchemilla
    Alchemilla (Alchemilla xanthochlora and Alchemilla vulgarisis) is an herb. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Alchemilla contains chemicals called tannins, which might have drying effects on the skin or in the body. Some people use alchemilla for stomach problems, diarrhea, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  14. Phenylalanine
    NatMed
    Phenylalanine
    Phenylalanine is an amino acid. There are three forms: L-, D-, and DL- phenylalanine. L-phenylalanine is found naturally in foods such as meat and eggs. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. L-phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. It is the only form of phenylalanine found in proteins. D-phenylalanine is not an essential amino acid, and its role in the body is not currently understood. DL-phenylalanine is made in a lab. People use phenylalanine for a disorder that causes white patches to develop on the skin (vitiligo). It is also used for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), chronic pain, aging skin, depression, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

  15. Senna
    NatMed
    Senna
    Senna is the fruit (pod) or leaf of the plant Senna alexandrina. It is approved in the US as a laxative for short-term treatment of constipation. Senna contains many chemicals called sennosides. Sennosides irritate the lining of the bowel, which causes a laxative effect. Senna is an FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) laxative. It is used to treat constipation and also to clear the bowel before procedures such as colonoscopy. People also use senna for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, weight loss, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  16. Yellow Dock
    NatMed
    Yellow Dock
    Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) is a common weed found in Serbia, Korea, and China. The leaf stalks are used in salads. The root and fruits are used as medicine. Yellow dock contains chemicals that work as laxatives and have anti-inflammatory effects. It also contains chemicals that might kill parasites, bacteria, and fungi. People use yellow dock for pain, swelling of the nasal passages and the respiratory tract, constipation, hemorrhoids, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse yellow dock with sorrel or wood sorrel. These are not the same.

  17. Bupleurum
    NatMed
    Bupleurum
    Bupleurum is an herb or woody shrub native to Europe, Asia, and North America. There are about 200 different species. Its root is used as medicine. Bupleurum is included in many Chinese and Japanese traditional herbal formulas. It might help stimulate the immune system and protect the liver. People use bupleurum for asthma, depression, flu, hepatitis, liver cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  18. Yellow Toadflax
    NatMed
    Yellow Toadflax
    Yellow toadflax is an herb. The whole plant is used to make medicine. People take yellow toadflax for many conditions such as digestive and urinary tract disorders, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

  19. Butterbur
    NatMed
    Butterbur
    Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a shrub. Its large leaves were used to wrap butter during warm weather, giving it the name "butterbur". Butterbur grows throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It's also now found in parts of the US. Butterbur contains chemicals that might relieve spasms and decrease swelling. Butterbur is used for migraine, hay fever, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no strong scientific evidence to support most of these uses. Some butterbur products may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). These chemicals can harm the liver and cause serious side effects. Do not use butterbur products unless they are certified as free of PAs.

  20. Turkey Tail Mushroom
    NatMed
    Turkey Tail Mushroom
    Turkey tail (Coriolus versicolor) is a mushroom. It contains polysaccharide peptide (PSP) and polysaccharide krestin (PSK), which are used as medicine. Turkey tail mushroom grows on stumps and the decomposing wood of trees. The PSP and PSK in turkey tail mushroom might help slow cancer growth and boost the immune system. People use turkey tail mushroom to improve response to cancer medicines and radiation. It is also used for muscle strength, fatigue, UTIs, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

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