Results 881-900 of 3295
HoneyNatMedHoney is a thick, sweet fluid produced by bees from plant nectars. It is commonly used as a sweetener in food, but should be avoided in infants. Some chemicals in honey might kill certain bacteria and fungus. When applied to the skin, honey might serve as a barrier to moisture and keep skin from sticking to wound dressings. It might also provide nutrients and chemicals that speed wound healing. But honey can become contaminated with germs during production. Although rare, some infants have gotten botulism from taking honey by mouth. People commonly use honey for burns, wound healing, swelling and sores inside the mouth, and cough. It is also used for many other conditions but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses. There is also no good evidence to support using honey for COVID-19. Don't confuse honey with bee pollen, bee venom, or royal jelly, which are other types of bee products.- Buckhorn PlantainNatMedBuckhorn plantain is a plant. It grows throughout the world. People use the parts that grow above the ground for medicine. Buckhorn plantain is used for common colds, fever, cough, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse buckhorn plantain with common plantain (Plantago major). Also, don't mistake digitalis leaves for buckhorn plantain leaves. They look a lot alike. This is a problem because digitalis is unsafe. Be sure to get buckhorn plantain from trusted sources. There have been some reports of buckhorn plantain adulterated with digitalis.
- Phosphate SaltsNatMedPhosphorus is an essential mineral found in many foods. In the diet and body, phosphorus usually binds to other minerals in the form of phosphate salts. Phosphates are involved in cell structure, energy transport and storage, vitamin function, and many other essential processes in the body. Phosphate salts can act as laxatives by causing more fluid to be drawn into the intestines and making the gut push out its contents faster. People use phosphate salts for bowel cleansing, low blood levels of phosphate, constipation, high blood levels of calcium, and heartburn. They are also used for athletic performance, osteoporosis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
- YuccaNatMedYucca is the common name for more than 40 species of plants in the Yucca genus. They have tough, sword-like leaves and a large spike of whitish flowers. Yucca contains chemicals that might reduce swelling. It might also have antibacterial and antifungal effects. People use yucca for osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, joint pain, migraine headache, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse yucca with cassava. These are not the same.
- FenugreekNatMedFenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an herb similar to clover. The seeds taste similar to maple syrup and are used in foods and medicine. Fenugreek is native to the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia. Fenugreek seems to slow sugar absorption in the stomach and stimulate insulin. Both of these effects lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Fenugreek might also improve levels of testosterone and estrogen, helping to improve interest in sex. People commonly use fenugreek for diabetes, menstrual cramps, and sexual problems. It is also used for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.
- Devil's ClubNatMedDevil's club is a plant. People use the inner bark of the root and the stem for medicine. Devil's club contains chemicals that might slow the growth of cancer and fight germs. People sometimes use devil's club for cancer, wounds, cough, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- ColtsfootNatMedColtsfoot is a plant. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It has been introduced to North America. The leaf, flower, and root are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, coltsfoot is used for asthma, cough, sore throat, swelling of the airways, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Northern Prickly AshNatMedNorthern prickly ash (Zanthoxylum Americanum) is a woody shrub native to North America. Native American healers used its bark and berries as medicine. Northern prickly ash contains chemicals that might have antifungal effects. People use northern prickly ash for infections, sore throat, toothaches, wounds, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse northern prickly ash with ash, Chinese prickly ash, or Hercules club. These are not the same.
- 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.
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