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SassafrasNatMedSassafras is a plant. The root bark is used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people use sassafras for many conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In beverages and candy, sassafras was used in the past to flavor root beer. It was also used as a tea. But sassafras tea contains a lot of safrole, the chemical in sassafras that makes it poisonous. One cup of tea made with 2.5 grams of sassafras contains about 200 mg of safrole. This is about 4.5 times the dose that researchers think is poisonous. So, in 1976, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that sassafras could no longer be sold as sassafras tea.- Greater BurnetNatMedGreater burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) is a plant commonly found in Europe and Asia. The roots are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Greater burnet might work as a drying agent to help stop bleeding. Some ingredients in greater burnet might also help reduce wrinkles and improve wound healing. People use greater burnet for aging skin, varicose veins, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Gravel RootNatMedGravel root is an herb. The bulb, root, and parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite safety concerns, people use gravel root for conditions such as bladder infections, kidney stones, arthritis pain, fever, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- African Wild PotatoNatMedAfrican wild potato is a plant. Although the root of the plant resembles a potato, it is not in the same family as the potato. The root of the plant is used to make medicine. African wild potato is used for urinary tract infections (UTIs), enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), prostate cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Grains of ParadiseNatMedGrains of paradise is a plant that is related to ginger. The seeds are used as a spice and as medicine. Be careful not to confuse grains of paradise with capsicum. Both are known as grains of paradise. People use grains of paradise for conditions such as diarrhea, heart disease, obesity, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Sweet WoodruffNatMedSweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a plant native to Europe, Iran, Siberia, and Northern Africa. Its leaves and flowers are used as medicine. Sweet woodruff contains chemicals that might help heal wounds and burns. People use sweet woodruff for high blood pressure, insomnia, migraine headache, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Golden RagwortNatMedGolden ragwort (Senecio aureus) is a plant that is sometimes used to make medicine. Golden ragwort contains chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Some of these chemicals are toxic and can cause serious liver damage. PAs are in different parts of the plant but are most concentrated in the roots. People traditionally use golden ragwort for irregular or painful menstrual periods and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using golden ragwort can also be unsafe. Don't confuse golden ragwort with similarly named alpine ragwort or tansy ragwort. These are not the same.
- German IpecacNatMedGerman ipecac (Vincetoxicum hirundinaria) is a plant native to Europe. The leaf, root, and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine. Despite safety concerns, German ipecac has been used traditionally for various health issues. People sometimes use German ipecac for bruises, painful menstrual periods, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Do not confuse German ipecac with other plants that have similar names such as Canadian Hemp, Ipecac, Pleurisy Root, Swallowroot, and Tylophora. These are not the same.
- GermanderNatMedGermander is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, people take germander for stomach and intestinal issues, weight loss, fever, and oral hygiene, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. In manufacturing, germander is used as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
- GambogeNatMedGamboge 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.
- GalbanumNatMedGalbanum (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.
- Stinging NettleNatMedStinging 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).
- HydrangeaNatMedHydrangea 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.
- TurmericNatMedTurmeric 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.
- TarragonNatMedTarragon 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.
- Queen's DelightNatMedQueen's delight (Stillingia sylvatica) is a plant. The root has been traditionally used as medicine. The root of queen's delight contains chemicals that are very irritating to the skin and thin tissues throughout the body, like the nose, mouth, and throat. People sometimes use queen's delight for bronchitis, constipation, hemorrhoids, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- IporuruNatMedIporuru (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.
- Traveler's JoyNatMedTraveler'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.
- Globe FlowerNatMedGlobe 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.
- ButtercupNatMedButtercup 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.
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