Herbs & Alternative Medicine

According to herbwisdom.com, elderberries have been used as a natural remedy for centuries and their juice was even used as a main medication to take care of the flu epidemic that took place in...

Also known as Corynanthe johimbi, yohimbe is a type of tree native to areas along the east coast in central Africa, such as Gabon, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Yohimbe is...

Also called gum gugal and gugglesterone, guggul is a resin derived from a tree that is native to India. Despite its use by herbalists as a treatment for high cholesterol, triglycerides, arthritis,...

Lapacho is an evergreen tree that grows in the Central and South American rain forests. It is known by several names, including Pau d'arco and trumpet bush, which describes its pink or purple...

Bromelain is a class of protease enzyme that is derived from the stem and fruit of members of the pineapple family (Bromeliacae). Since 1957, bromelain has been marketed as a dietary supplement...

Clenbuterol has a variety of uses. In some areas, it is used to deal with lung problems because of its bronchodilator properties. It is also used to promote weight loss and lean muscle definition...

Rhodiola rosea is a plant sometimes referred to as roseroot. The roots of the rhodiola rosea are used in herbal medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including fatigue, anxiety, depression,...

Fibermucil is a dietary supplement that contains blond psyllium or psyllium husk derived from the seeds of the Plantago Ovata plant. Despite its being marketed as a natural product for maintaining...

Shou Wu Pian is a Chinese herb that is often used to prevent premature graying of the hair and hair loss. Though it is an all-natural herb and has few known side effects, there are potential side...

Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant that is native to many parts of Asia, Africa and Europe, including the country of Bulgaria. Tribulus is used by many athletes and body builder for...

Beta sitosterol is a substance found in fruits, vegetables nuts and seeds, and is used in herbal medicine. Despite its use in the treatment of high cholesterol and prostate enlargement, beta...

Pycnogenol is an over-the-counter dietary supplement that is used to treat a variety of conditions. Regardless of its intended use, you should consult a doctor for dosing guidelines before...

Also called Indian frankincense, boswellia is a resin obtained from a plant. Despite its use in alternative medicine to treat conditions like asthma, arthritis and Crohn's disease, boswellia has...

Also called yohimbine, yohimbe is the name of a tree that is native to parts of Africa, such as Zaire, Cameroon and Gabon. Despite its effectiveness at treating impotence and sexual dysfunction,...

5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is used by your body to produce brain chemicals like serotonin. Serotonin helps regulate your mood, appetite and energy level. 5-HTP helps maintain your serotonin...

There is a link between vitamin B12 and anxiety, although doctors are unsure of the details of this link. While anxiety is often correlated with a B12 deficiency, it is uncertain whether this is a...

Senna tea is readily available in many natural food markets and pharmacies as a treatment for constipation. But like all herbs, long-term use can be associated with negative side effects.

For those seeking alternative treatments for insomnia, anxiety and nervous disorders, Lemon Balm and Kava Kava offer relief to some who use it without having to use prescription medications. While...

Used to treat a wide variety of gynecological disorders, including menopausal symptoms, the herb back cohosh was once used in Native American medicine. In 19th-century America, black cohosh was...

Epimedium is a perennial herb found growing throughout Asian countries, most notably in China. This medicinal herb has played a role in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years....

Omega-3 fish oil pills promote heart health, memory and concentration and improve general physical health. While Omega-3 is very beneficial, too much of a good thing can be bad.

Tumeric curcumin is found in the tumeric plant that is native to southern Asia. As a supplement, it is used to treat indigestion, inflammation and arthritis. Most side effects are associated with...

Icariin is a dietary supplement made from horny goat weed intended to treat impotence and increase athletic performance. Despite the fact that the Icariin official website claims that there "has...

The black cohosh plant belongs to the buttercup family and is native to North America. In the past, black cohosh was a common component in Native American medicine. Today, black cohosh is widely...

Produced by a company in Malaysia, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of the supposedly natural weight loss product Phytoshape. The ban stems from the unlabeled use of large...

Morinda Citrifolia, the botanical name for Indian mulberry, is also known in more common terms as Noni. It is a plant whose full scope of medicinal uses is still being studied in 2009. This...

Thyromine is an herbal, non-chemical treatment for hypothyroidism, a condition in which the body is unable to produce enough thyroid hormone to help it convert calories into energy. Also called...

Clavatum, commonly known as 'Wolf's Foot', is a moss-like evergreen plant that can grow up to six inches tall. Clavatum has been in existence for ages. It's most popular and best known species is...

Many people are looking to nature and to the past to find remedies for their ailments and their symptoms. Milk thistle has been in use for 2,000 years. Pliny the Elder extolled the virtues of the...

Also called roseroot or King's Crown, Rhodiola rosea is a plant that grows on the side of cliffs. Rhodiola rosea has many uses in alternative medicine.

Borage is an annual plant indigenous to Europe, but cultivated in the United States and other countries. It is a hardy plant and easy to grow. Borage has several beneficial effects on health.

A popular supplement for men wanted to boost their sex drive or treat impotence, terrestris is also used by some bodybuilders. It is a common ingredient in sexual enhancers, or may be purchased...

Goldenseal and echinacea are herb whose roots, flowers and stems are commonly used in herbal medicine. Both herbs have a variety of benefits, but also pose a risk for some side effects.

Green stevia, or Eupatorium rebaudianum, is a leafy plant native to Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay and Venezuela. Since its use by the Guarani Indians in this region began 1,500 years ago, green...

Senna or Cassia acutifolia is a green plant with yellow flowers native to Egypt. The leaves of the senna plant are often used to treat constipation, but there is a potential for side effects in...

Sea buckthorn oil is a liquid derived from the leaves, flowers and fruits of the Hippophae rhamnoides plant. Despite its use to treat a variety of conditions like arthritis, gastrointestinal...

Rice bran oil is a liquid derived from the outer layer of a grain of rice. Despite its use in herbal medicine to lower cholesterol levels, to prevent kidney disease and stomach calcium and to...

Also called Indian frankincense, Boswellin is a resin obtained from a plant native to southeast Asia. Despite its many uses in herbal medicine, Boswellin poses a risk for side effects in some...

Also called Birch Sugar, Xylitol is a natural type of alcohol found in many types of plants, fruits and vegetables. When used as a dietary supplement or food ingredient, Xylitol has the potential...

Morinda citrifolia is a plant found throughout the tropics. Despite its use in the treatment of colic, seizures, coughing, diabetes and urinary or menstrual problems, Morinda citrifolia poses a...

Beta glucans are sugars found in bacteria, yeasts, algae, oats and barley. Despite their use as a treatment for high cholesterol, cancer and the progression of HIV or AIDS, beta glucans pose a...

Resveratrol is a natural plant extract that contains powerful antioxidants. An anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic supplement, it also has other health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol...

Sitosterol, or beta-sitosterol, is an extract from plants, fruits and vegetables. Despite its effectiveness in lowering cholesterol and treating prostate enlargement, sitosterol poses a risk for...

Pycnogenol (pronounced pic-nahj-en-all) is derived from maritime pine tree bark which contains concentrated levels of bioflavonoids, the compounds abundantly found in fruits and vegetables....

Caprylic acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid found in coconut and palm oils. It is often used to treat yeast and bacterial infections. Side effects of caprylic acid can be unpleasant and...

Stevia is an herbal supplement derived from a plant native to South America. Despite its uses as a sugar substitute and for the treatment of diabetes and hypertension, stevia poses a risk for side...

Neem is a type of tree that grows in India and Southeast Asia whose bark is commonly used in herbal medicine. Despite its use to treat stomach ulcers, gingivitis, fever, stomachaches, intestinal...

Also called O-Sulfated N-Acetylchitosan, chitosan is a type of sugar taken from the shells of certain crustaceans. Although many patients use it as a supplement to treat complications of kidney...

Cold-fX is a ginseng-derived daily supplement manufactured by Alexa Life Sciences that was created to boost the immune system against the common cold and the flu. Cold-fX is sold as normal and...

Caprylic acid is an eight-carbon saturated fatty acid that is known as the systemic name octanoic acid. It is naturally found in the milk of humans, coconut and palm oil, and in bovines (cows).