| Herb/Supplement Ingredient |
Primary Use |
Secondary Use |
Scientific Support |
Key Findings |
Alpha-Lipoic
Acid |
Antioxidant |
Diabetes |
Moderate |
Good benefits in protecting diabetics from nerve damage. |
Astragalus |
Immune system |
|
Minimal |
Long traditional use by Native Americans |
Bilberry |
Eye health |
Antioxidant |
Moderate |
Small studies suggest benefits for night vision |
- Black Cohosh
|
Menopausal symptoms |
PMS symptoms |
Moderate |
Possible benefits due to estrogenic activity |
Carnitine |
Heart health |
Fat oxidation (fat burner) |
Moderate |
Improves exercise tolerance in subjects with heart ailments |
- Chasteberry (Vitex)
-
|
PMS symptoms |
Menopausal symptoms |
Moderate |
Relieves breast tenderness and menstrual irregularities |
Chondroitin Sulfate |
Osteoarthritis |
Arthritis
& Joints |
Moderate |
Numerous double-blind studies show reduced pain and improved mobility
within 1-3 months |
Chromium |
Diabetes |
Appetite regulation |
Moderate |
Diabetics have increased needs to control blood sugar. Claims for boosting
fat loss are overblown |
Coenzyme Q10 |
Heart health |
Energy |
Moderate |
Good results in patients recovering from heart surgery and congestive heart
failure. Benefits are less clear in healthy subjects. |
Cranberry |
Bladder infections |
Antioxidant |
Minimal |
Some evidence for benefits of strong cranberry juice in acidifying the
urine to prevent bacterial adherence. Long history of use. |
Curcumin (Turmeric) |
Digestion Aid |
Antioxidant |
Minimal |
Possible benefits as a mild anti-inflammatory. |
- Dong Quai
|
Menopausal symptoms |
|
Minimal |
Long history of use as traditional medicine, but no strong scientific data. |
Echinacea |
Immune system |
Colds
& Flu |
Moderate |
A number of double-blind studies show effectiveness in reducing the
severity and duration of colds. |
Evening Primrose Oil |
Skin Problem |
Menopausal & PMS symptoms |
Moderate |
Several small studies show benefits in a number of inflammatory-type
conditions such as arthritis and eczema. Also helpful in Female ailments |
Feverfew |
Migraine headaches |
Menstrual
pain |
Moderate |
Effective as a preventative to migraines. |
- Fenugreek
|
Breast Enlargement |
Breast Feeding |
Minimal |
Helps
to increase Milk production and enlarge size |
- Garlic
|
Heart health |
Blood Pressure |
Moderate |
A number of double-blind studies show effectiveness in reducing cholesterol
levels and lowering blood pressure. |
- Ginger
|
Nausea |
Digestive aid |
Moderate |
Effective in relieving nausea induced by pregnancy and motion sickness. |
Ginkgo Biloba |
Alzheimer's Disease |
Circulation |
Moderate |
Positive results in patients suffering from dementia, potential benefits in
improving general circulation. |
Ginseng |
Fatigue prevention |
Mental Acuity |
Moderate |
Several varieties of ginseng exist as "adaptogens" - and
providing varying benefits in preventing fatigue, maintaining blood sugar and combating
stress. |
Glucosamine |
Osteoarthritis |
Arthritis
& Joints |
Strong |
Numerous double-blind studies show reduced pain and improved mobility
within 1-3 months |
Goldenseal |
Bacteria |
Immunity
|
Minimal |
Good for Upper respiratory
infections, inflamed mucous membranes, colds and flu, heartburn, diarrhea,
urinary tract infections, and skin infections; also used for ulcers and as a blood
purifier and digestive stimulant. |
Gotu Kola |
Fatigue prevention |
Mental Acuity |
Minimal |
Possible stimulant properties similar to caffeine. |
Grape Seed |
Antioxidant |
Collagen |
Strong |
Powerful activity in protecting tissues from free radical damage. |
Hawthorn |
Heart health |
blood cholesterol |
Moderate |
Possible benefits in controlling heart rhythm and contraction strength in
heart failure. |
Kava kava |
Anxiety (stress) |
Insomnia |
Moderate |
Clear effects as a sedative. |
Milk Thistle |
Liver protection |
Detox |
Moderate |
General activity in promoting the liver's function in detoxifying
compounds. |
| Pau d' Arco |
Infections |
Peptic
Ulcer |
Moderate |
Pau
d'Arco is helpful in the support of inflammatory diseases, tumors, yeast infection,
anemia, asthma, arteriosclerosis, bronchitis, diabetes, fungal infection, rheumatism, skin
problems, ulcers, chronic degenerative conditions and autoimmune conditions. |
Phosphatidylserine
(PS) |
Brain health |
Athletic (ergogenic) aid |
Moderate |
Benefits in improving quality of life in demented elderly patients.
Possible suppression of cortisol production in athletes (anti-catabolic effect). |
SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) |
Osteoarthritis |
Depression |
Moderate |
Equivalent benefits to standard pain-killers (for arthritis) and tricyclic
anti-depressants (for depression). |
Saw Palmetto |
Prostate health |
Hair loss |
Strong |
Clear benefits in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH -
enlarged prostate) - equivalent to prescription Proscar. Possible benefits in preventing
hair loss - similar to prescription Propecia. |
St. John's Wort |
Depression |
Weight loss |
Strong |
Numerous double-blind studies show effectiveness in alleviating mild to
moderate depression. |
- Uva Ursi (bearberry)
|
Bladder
infections |
Diuretic |
Minimal |
Folklore use not supported by clinical evidence. |
Valerian |
Insomnia |
Anxiety (stress) |
Moderate |
Effective in improving sleep and relieving anxiety in stressful situations. |
