Herbal Medicine

Seaweed, Kelp, Bladderwrack
by MedlinePlus
Fucus vesiculosus is a brown seaweed that grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the North and Baltic seas. Its name is sometimes used for Ascophyllum nodosum, which is another brown seaweed that grows alongside Fucus

Scotch Broom Herb and Flower, Sparteine
by MedlinePlus
Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), also referred to as broom, is a perennial woody plant native to Europe. The species was introduced as a garden ornamental to North America and now is common across western Canada and California. Scotch broom plants grow

Saw Palmetto : Uses and Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, Sabal serrulata) is used popularly in Europe for symptoms associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement of the prostate). Although not considered standard of care in the US, it is the most popular herbal treatment

Red Yeast Rice : Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Red yeast rice (RYR) is the product of yeast ( Monascus purpureus ) grown on rice, and is served as a dietary staple in some Asian countries. It contains several compounds collectively known as Monacolins, substances known to inhibit cholesterol

Red Clover : Uses and Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Red clover is a legume, which like soy contains phytoestrogens (plant-based chemicals that are similar to estrogen, and may act in the body like estrogen or may actually block the effects of estrogen). Red clover was traditionally used to treat asthma

Pygeum
by MedlinePlus
The P. africanum (African plum) tree is a tall evergreen of the family Rosaceae found in central and southern Africa. Its bark has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Traditional African healers have used the bark to treat bladder

Pycnogenol
by MedlinePlus
Pycnogenol is the patented trade name for a water extract of the bark of the French maritime pine ( Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica ), which is grown in coastal south-west France. Pycnogenol contains oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) as well

Psyllium : Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Psyllium, also referred to as ispaghula, is derived from the husks of the seeds of Plantago ovata . Psyllium contains a high level of soluble dietary fiber, and is the chief ingredient in many commonly used bulk laxatives, including products such as Metam

Propolis : Uses and Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Propolis is a natural resin created by bees, used in the construction of hives. Propolis is produced from the buds of conifer and poplar tress, in combination with beeswax and other bee secretions. Historically, propolis was used in Greece to treat

Polypodium Leucotomos Extract and Anapsos
by MedlinePlus
Extracts of fern species (family Polypodiaceae ) have been used traditionally for numerous indications, most commonly in South America and Europe. The South American species Polypodium leucotomos L. is commonly known as calaguala.

Peppermint Oil
by MedlinePlus
Peppermint is a perennial flowering plant that grows throughout Europe and North America. Peppermint is widely cultivated for its fragrant oil, which is obtained through steam distillation of the fresh above-ground parts of the plant. Peppermint oil

PC-SPES
by MedlinePlus
Based on a Chinese herbal formula, the ingredients of PC-SPES were officially listed as including Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) and seven other herbs: Chrysanthemum morifolium (chrysanthemum, mum, Chu-hua); Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom, Ling Zhi)

Passion Flower
by MedlinePlus
The dried aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata have historically been used as a sedative and hypnotic (for insomnia), and for nervous gastrointestinal complaints. However, there is no clear controlled clinical evidence supporting any therapeutic

Oleander
by MedlinePlus
The term oleander refers to two plant species, Nerium oleander (common oleander) and Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander), which grow in temperate climates throughout the world. Both species contain chemicals called cardiac glycosides that have effects

Niacin (Vitamin-B3), Niacinamide
by MedlinePlus
Vitamin B-3 is made up of niacin (nicotinic acid) and its amide, niacinamide, and can be found in many foods, including yeast, meat, fish, milk, eggs, green vegetables, and cereal grains. Dietary tryptophan is also converted to niacin in the body.

Milk Thistle, Silymarin
by MedlinePlus
Milk thistle has been used medicinally for over 2000 years, most commonly for the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders. A flavonoid complex called silymarin can be extracted from the seeds of milk thistle, and is believed to be the biologically

Melatonin
by MedlinePlus
Melatonin is a neurohormone produced in the brain by the pineal gland, from the amino acid tryptophan. The synthesis and release of melatonin are stimulated by darkness and suppressed by light, suggesting the involvement of melatonin in circadian rhythm

Marshmallow Uses and Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Both marshmallow ( Althaea officinalis ) leaf and root are used in commercial preparations. Herbal formulations are made from either the dried root or leaf (unpeeled or peeled). The actual mucilaginous content of the commercial product may vary according

Maitake Mushroom Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Maitake is the Japanese name for the edible fungus Grifola frondosa , which is characterized by a large fruiting body and overlapping caps. Maitake has been used traditionally both as a food and for medicinal purposes.

Lycopene Health Benefits
by MedlinePlus
Lycopene is a carotenoid, and is present in human serum, liver, adrenal glands, lungs, prostate, colon, and skin at higher levels than other carotenoids. Lycopene has been found to possess antioxidant and antiproliferative properties in animal