Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) and DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) Background The medicinally used part of licorice is the root and dried rhizome of the low-growing shr

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Miller) Background Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, the Arabian Peninsula, Russia, and Africa. It has been used cosmetically and me

Lactobacillus acidophilus Background Lactobacilli are bacteria that normally live in the human small intestine and vagina.  Lactobacillus acidophilus  is generall

Kava (Piper methysticum G. Forst) Contents of this page:   Background Synonyms Evidence Dosing Safety Interactions Methodology

Background Iron is an essential mineral and an important component of proteins involved in oxygen transport and metabolism. Iron is also an essential cofactor in the synth

(I) Background Iodine is an element (atomic number 53) that is required by humans for the synthesis of hormones (triiodothyronine/T3 and thyroxine/T4). Chronic i

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) Background Horsetail ( Equisetum arvense ) has traditionally been used in Europe as a diuretic for the treatment of edema (swelli

Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum L.) Background Horse chestnut seed extract (HCSE) is widely used in Europe for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a syndrome that ma

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) Background Green tea is made from the dried leaves of  Camellia sinensis , a perennial evergreen shrub. Green tea has a long history

Background Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid.

Ginkgo ( L.) Background  Ginkgo biloba  has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is one of the top selling herbs in the United States.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Background The rhizomes and stems of ginger have assumed significant roles in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian medicine since the 1500s. The oleoresin of ginge

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Background Numerous controlled trials have examined the effects of oral garlic on serum lipids. Long-term effects on lipids or cardiovascular mor

Folate (folic acid) Contents of this page:   Background Synonyms Evidence Dosing Safety Interactions Methodology Selected ref

Flaxseed and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum) Background Flaxseed and its derivative flaxseed oil/linseed oil are rich sources of the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic

(Oenothera biennis L.) Background Evening primrose oil (EPO) contains an omega-6 essential fatty acid, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is believed to be the active ingre

Eucalyptus oil (E. globulus Labillardiere, E. fructicetorum F. Von Mueller, E. smithii R.T. Baker) Background Eucalyptus oil is used commonly as a decongestant and expector

Essiac® Background Essiac® contains a combination of herbs, including burdock root ( Arctium lappa ), sheep sorrel ( Rumex acetosella ), slipper

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) Background  On February 6, 2004 ,  the U . S .  Food and Drug Administration  ( FDA )  issue

Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Background Several species of  Sambucus  produce elderberries. Most research and publications refer to  Sambucus nigra . Other