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Results 961-980 of 2966

NatMed
Levant Berry
Levant berry is the fruit from a vine (Anamirta cocculus) that grows in Southeast Asia. The dried fruit and seeds are used to make medicine in some parts of the world. But medicinal use has been abandoned in the US and Europe due to safety concerns. However, picrotoxin, the active chemical in levant berry, is still used in research. Some people take levant berry to treat abnormal movement of the eyeball and dizziness. Picrotoxin that is taken from levant berry seeds is used for epilepsy, night sweats, and as a stimulant. Some people apply levant berry powder directly to the skin to treat a skin disease called scabies. In India, levant berry leaves are inhaled as snuff to relieve malaria. Whole fruits are used for paralyzing fish and killing birds or dogs. Jungle tribes apply picrotoxin taken from the seeds to arrow tips for hunting. Picrotoxin used to be used to paralyze fish in the fishing industry. Extracts are applied to the skin for treating lice.
NatMed
Lesser Celandine
Lesser celandine is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Despite some safety concerns, people take lesser celandine by mouth for hemorrhoids and scurvy, a condition caused by lack of vitamin C. Lesser celandine is sometime applied directly to the skin for bleeding wounds and gums, swollen joints, warts, scratches, and hemorrhoids. In food, fresh leaves of lesser celandine are sometimes used in salads. Don't confuse lesser celandine with greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) or jewelweed, otherwise known as wild celandine. Also, don't confuse lesser celandine with Scrophularia nodosa, since both are sometimes called figwort; or with amaranth and bulbous buttercup, since these are also known as pilewort.
NatMed
Lemon
Lemon (Citrus limon) is a type of citrus fruit. It contains high levels of citric acid. The fruit, juice, and peel are used to make medicine. Lemon contains antioxidants called bioflavonoids. These bioflavonoids might be responsible for the health benefits of lemon. People use lemon for hay fever, high blood pressure, obesity, morning sickness, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse lemon with other citrus fruits, such as grapefruit, lime, and sweet orange.
NatMed
Lathyrus
Lathyrus is a plant. People use it as medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, Lathyrus sativus is used in unleavened Indian bread. Lathyrus seeds are eaten as food and used as animal fodder throughout the world. The flowers of sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) are grown for their color and fragrance.
NatMed
Laminaria
Laminaria (Laminaria digitata) is a type of brown seaweed. It's native to Japan and is used as food in many Asian countries. Laminaria contains iodine, an element that the body needs to make thyroid hormones. It's also a rich source of iron and potassium. Laminaria forms a thick, sticky gel when combined with water. This allows it to work as a bulk laxative in the gut. People use laminaria for ending a pregnancy (abortion), childbirth, cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse laminaria with other types of seaweed or with chemicals found in seaweed, such as algin and carrageenan. These are not the same.
NatMed
Lactase
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar in milk. Some people don't make enough lactase and are unable to digest lactose well on their own. Lactase splits lactose to produce the sugars glucose and galactose. People who are lactose intolerant can experience cramps, diarrhea, and gas after consuming milk products. People use lactase for lactose intolerance. It is also used for colic, growth and development in preterm infants, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Bog Labrador Tea
Bog Labrador tea is a plant. The leaves and flowering shoots are used to make medicine. People use bog Labrador tea for sore throat, chest congestion, coughs, lung infections, diarrhea, joint and muscle pain (rheumatism), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. In foods, bog Labrador tea is used as a beverage or to make beer more intoxicating.
NatMed
Kombucha
Kombucha is made by fermenting tea (black, green, red, or white) with sugar and other ingredients with specific types of bacteria and fungi. Kombucha contains alcohol, vinegar, B vitamins, caffeine, sugar, and other substances. The cultures used to make kombucha are called SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts). They commonly contain Acetobacter xylinum, Gluconobacter, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. People use kombucha for aging, diabetes, memory, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Knotweed
Knotweed is an herb. The whole flowering plant is used to make medicine. Knotweed is used for swelling (inflammation) of the main airways in the lung (bronchitis), cough, sore throat, a mild form of gum disease (gingivitis), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Khat
Khat is a plant. The leaves and stem have been traditionally chewed by people in East African countries as a recreational drug to elevate mood (as a euphoriant). As a medicine, khat leaf is used for diabetes, muscle strength, to lower the need for food and sleep, and to increase aggression, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists khat as a drug that creates "dependence" in people, meaning it produces a continuing desire to keep using it. It is banned in countries like the US and Canada. However, it is legal in some European countries. Khat is used by many people from East Africa and Yemen.
NatMed
Karaya Gum
Karaya gum is a sap-like material taken from a tree that grows in India. People use it to make medicine. Karaya gum is used as a bulk-forming laxative and to increase sexual desire (as an aphrodisiac), but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
NatMed
Kamala
Kamala (Mallotus philippensis) is a flower tree. Parts of the fruit have been used to make medicine. People use kamala for infection of the intestines by parasites, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
NatMed
Jewelweed
Jewelweed is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse jewelweed with potentilla, since both are known as silverweed. People take jewelweed by mouth to treat mild digestive disorders, as well as rashes caused by poison ivy. Some people also apply jewelweed directly to the skin for poison ivy.
NatMed
Javanese Turmeric
Javanese turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza) is a plant native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The root and rhizome are traditionally used for stomach disorders. Javanese turmeric contains chemicals that might increase bile production in the body. People use Javanese turmeric for indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gallbladder problems, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse Javanese turmeric with Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Goldenseal, or Zedoary. These are different plants with different effects.
NatMed
Belladonna
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a plant that grows from Western Europe to the Himalayas. It’s also grown in the US. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Belladonna has chemicals that can alter the function of the body's nervous system and cause changes to saliva, sweat, pupil size, urination, digestive functions, and others. Belladonna can also cause increased heart rate and blood pressure. Despite known safety concerns, people use belladonna for asthma, the common cold, hemorrhoids, Parkinson disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Since 2010, the FDA has issued several warnings about homeopathic teething tablets and gels for infants that contain belladonna. Serious side effects including seizures, breathing problems, and agitation have been reported in infants taking these products, and some have died.
NatMed
Jambolan
Jambolan is a tree. The seed, leaf, bark, and fruit are used to make medicine. Jambolan is widely used in folk medicine for diabetes. It is also used by mouth for gas (flatulence), swelling (inflammation) of the stomach (gastritis), constipation, diarrhea, and other conditions. Jambolan is sometimes used for sore throat, and applied directly to the skin for skin ulcers.
NatMed
Cat's Foot
Cat's foot (Antennaria dioica) is a flowering herb. Its fresh or dried flowers have been used to make medicine. People use cat's foot for stomach disorders and water retention, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Be careful not to confuse cat's foot with cat's claw or cudweed. These are not the same.
NatMed
Jamaican Dogwood
Jamaican dogwood is a tree. The root bark is used to make medicine. People use Jamaican dogwood for anxiety, sleep problems, nerve pain, migraine, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using Jamaican dogwood can also be unsafe. Be careful not to confuse Jamaican dogwood with American dogwood.
NatMed
Tiratricol
Tiratricol is a thyroid hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It can also be made in a lab and taken by mouth under the supervision of a healthcare provider. Tiratricol can alter thyroid function. It should not be used without medical supervision. In France, tiratricol is a prescription drug. In the US, tiratricol is not legal to include in dietary supplements. The US FDA has warned against the use of products containing tiratricol. People use tiratricol for thyroid disorders, high cholesterol, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. It may also be unsafe.
NatMed
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is a flowering shrub in the rose family. Common species include Crataegus monogyna, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus oxyacantha, and Crataegus mexicana. The hawthorn leaves, berries, flowers, and roots are used as medicine. They contain chemicals called flavonoids, which have antioxidant effects. Hawthorn also seems to improve blood circulation and affect blood flow from the heart. People most commonly use hawthorn for chest pain, heart failure, blood circulation problems, high blood pressure, anxiety, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.