Herbal Medicine

Essiac
by MedlinePlus
Essiac contains a combination of herbs, including burdock root (Arctium lappa), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), slippery elm inner bark ( Ulmus fulva ), and Turkish rhubarb (Rheum palmatum).

Ephedra, Ma huang
by MedlinePlus
Ephedra sinica, a species of ephedra (Ma huang), contains the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which have been found to induce central nervous system stimulation, bronchodilation, and vasoconstriction.

Elder : Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Several species of Sambucus produce elderberries. Most research and publications refer to Sambucus nigra . Other species with similar chemical components include the American elder or common elder ( Sambucus canadensis ), antelope brush

Echinacea : Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Echinacea species are perennials which belong to the Aster family and which originate in eastern North America. Traditionally used for a range of infections and malignancies, the roots and herb (above ground parts) of echinacea species have attracted

Dong Quai, Chinese Angelica : Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Dong Quai ( Angelica sinensis ), also known as Chinese Angelica, has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine. It remains one of the most popular plants in Chinese medicine, and is used primarily for health

DHEA : Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Many different aspects of menopause have been studied using DHEA as a treatment. When DHEA is applied topically (on the skin) as a cream, it may improve vaginal pain and discomfort associated with menopause.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
by MedlinePlus
DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) is an endogenous hormone (made in the human body), and secreted by the adrenal gland. DHEA serves as precursor to male and female sex hormones (androgens and estrogens).

Devil's Claw
by MedlinePlus
Devil's claw ( Harpagophytum procumbens ) originates from the Kalahari and Savannah desert regions of South and Southeast Africa. In these parts of the world, Devil's claw has historically been used to treat a wide range of conditions including fevert

Danshen (Salvia Miltiorrhiza) : Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Danshen ( Salvia miltiorrhiza ) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), often in combination with other herbs. Remedies containing danshen are used traditionally to treat a diversity of ailments, particularly cardiac (heart) and vascular

Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)
by MedlinePlus
Dandelion is a member of the Asteraceae/Compositae family closely related to chicory. It is a perennial herb, native throughout the Northern hemisphere, found growing wild in meadows, pastures and waste grounds of temperate zones.

Cranberry : Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Cranberry is widely used to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI). It was initially believed to function by acidifying urine. However, the mechanism is now thought to be inhibition of adhesion of bacteria to uroepithelial cells by proanthocyanadin

Copper: Scientific and Traditional Uses
by MedlinePlus
Copper is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods, including vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains and fruits, as well as shellfish, avocado, and beef (organs such as liver). Because copper is found in the earth's crust, most of the world's surface

Coenzyme Q10
by MedlinePlus
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is produced by the human body and is necessary for the basic functioning of cells. CoQ10 levels are reported to decrease with age and to be low in patients with some chronic diseases such as heart conditions, muscular dystrophies

Clove (Eugenia aromatica) and Clove Oil (Eugenol)
by MedlinePlus
Clove is widely cultivated in Indonesia, Sri-Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania and Brazil. It is used in limited amounts in food products as a fragrant, flavoring agent, and antiseptic. Clinical trials assessing monotherapy of clove are limited

Clay
by MedlinePlus
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Chondroitin Sulfate
by MedlinePlus
Chondroitin was first extracted and purified in the 1960s. It is currently manufactured from natural sources (shark/beef cartilage or bovine trachea) or by synthetic means. The consensus of expert and industry opinions support the use of chondroitin

Chaparral and Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid
by MedlinePlus
Chaparral and its constituent nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) have been reported to possess antioxidant/free-radical scavenging properties. Although proposed as a treatment for cancer, effectiveness has not been demonstrated in clinical trials.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita, Chamaemelum nobile)
by MedlinePlus
Chamomile has been used medicinally for thousands of years, and is widely used in Europe. It is a popular treatment for numerous ailments, including sleep disorders, anxiety, digestion/intestinal conditions, skin infections/inflammation (including eczema)

Calendula, Marigold
by MedlinePlus
Calendula, also known as marigold, has been widely used on the skin to treat minor wounds, skin infections, burns, bee stings, sunburn, warts, and cancer. Most scientific evidence regarding its effectiveness as a wound-healing agent is based on animal

Burdock (Arctium lappa)
by MedlinePlus
Burdock has historically been used to treat a wide variety of ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, and hair loss. It is a principal herbal ingredient in the popular cancer remedies Essiac (rhubarb, sorrel, slippery elm) and Hoxsey formula