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Results 961-980 of 2959

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, and Crataegus oxyacantha. The hawthorn leaves, berries, and flowers 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.
NatMed
Nasturtium
Nasturtium is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. People take nasturtium in combination with other herbs for infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs), infections of the airways, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
NatMed
Corn Poppy
Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is a plant with bright red flowers. The dried flower petals are used in foods in the Mediterranean, and also as medicine. Corn poppy flower petals contain chemicals that can cause sleepiness. They can also have antioxidant effects. The petals also contain minerals, including potassium, zinc, copper, and iron. People use corn poppy for cough, insomnia, pain, withdrawal from heroin, morphine, and other opioid drugs, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Don't confuse corn poppy with poppy seed or California poppy. These are not the same.
NatMed
Deanol
Deanol is a chemical used to make choline. Choline is involved in reactions that form acetylcholine, a chemical in the brain and other areas of the body. Having more choline in the body might increase the production of acetylcholine, which is involved in brain and nervous system function. This might have effects on some neurological conditions. People use deanol for Alzheimer disease, a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Deanol was previously sold by Riker Laboratories as the prescription drug Deaner. It was prescribed for the management of children with behavior problems and learning difficulties. Deanol is not an approved food additive in the US, nor is it an orphan drug, as some marketing suggests.
NatMed
American Dogwood
American dogwood is a tree. Historically, people made medicine from the bark. American dogwood bark is still used today as medicine, but not very often. People use American dogwood for headaches, wounds, fever, ongoing diarrhea, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Be careful not to confuse American dogwood with Jamaican dogwood.