Results 921-940 of 3295
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.
- Spanish Origanum OilNatMedSpanish origanum oil comes from a plant called Thymus capitatus and also from various species of an herb called Origanum. People use Spanish origanum oil for infections, burns, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods and beverages, Spanish origanum oil is used as a flavoring. In manufacturing, it is used as a fragrance in soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes.
- Shiitake MushroomNatMedShiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes) is a type of edible fungus. It's native to Japan and China, and contains a chemical called lentinan. Shiitake mushrooms are the second most commonly eaten mushrooms in the world. Lentinan and other chemicals in shiitake mushrooms might stimulate the immune system. People use shiitake mushroom or an extract called AHCC for HIV/AIDS, common cold, flu, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also no good evidence to support using shiitake mushroom for COVID-19.
- Sweet GaleNatMedSweet gale (Myrica gale) is an herb. The leaves, branches, and wax are sometimes used to make medicine. Sweet gale contains ingredients that might help reduce skin redness and swelling (inflammation) and have a drying (astringent) effect on the tissues. People use sweet gale for conditions such as intestinal worms and itching, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using sweet gale can also be unsafe.
- SenegaNatMedSenega is a plant. The root is used to make medicine. Senega is used for decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age, asthma, swelling (inflammation) of the throat, nose, and chest, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that senega may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using senega for COVID-19. Follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods instead.
- Ground PineNatMedGround pine is a small plant with narrow leaves that are used to make medicine. It is not a member of the pine family, but it resembles a pine seedling and gives off a pine-like smell when crushed. People take ground pine for gout, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the common cold, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Some people apply ground pine directly to the skin for wound healing.
- Great PlantainNatMedGreat plantain (Plantago major) is a plant with broad leaves native to Europe and Asia. It now grows worldwide as a weed. It's also used as medicine. Great plantain contains chemicals that might help decrease pain and swelling, decrease mucous, and open airways. It might also help kill bacteria and fungi. People use great plantain for cough, mouth sores, obesity, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse great plantain with other plants also known as plantain, such as Asian water plantain, black psyllium, blond psyllium, buckhorn plantain, or buck's-horn plantain. These are not the same.
- Greater CelandineNatMedGreater celandine is a plant. The dried above-ground parts, root, and rhizome (underground stem) are used to make medicine. Don't confuse greater celandine with lesser celandine (Family: Ranunculus ficaria). People use greater celandine for conditions such as cancer, problems with the digestive tract, liver and gallbladder disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using greater celandine can also be unsafe.
All material on this website is protected by copyright. Copyright © LearnHealth Inc. 2026.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
SUBSCRIBE
To Get Posts Directly In Your Inbox!