Mental Health

Common Names: Grape seed extract Scientific Name: Vitis vinifera Background • Derived from the seeds of grapes used in winemaking, grape seed extract is widely used as a supplement. It is often advertised for benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and is also used in topical applications for wound care and oral health. • The extract is high in proanthocyanidins, compounds known for their potential positive health effects. How Much Do We Know? • There has been moderate

Common Names: goldenseal, yellow root, goldenroot, yellow pucoon Scientific Name: Hydrastis canadensis Background • Goldenseal is a herbaceous plant found in the northeastern parts of the United States and southeastern regions of Canada. It is known for its characteristic yellow underground stem, called a rhizome. Due to overharvesting in the wild, natural supplies have diminished, making it a rare and pricey crop even when farmed. • Indigenous peoples have traditionally used goldenseal to

Common Names: Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba, Maidenhair tree, Fossil tree, Japanese silver apricot Scientific Name: Ginkgo biloba Background • Ginkgo is a very old tree species, often referred to as a “living fossil” because it is the only surviving representative of an ancient plant group. Traditionally, it has been used in Chinese medicine to treat health issues like coughs and diarrhea. • Today, ginkgo leaf extract is commonly used and marketed as a supplement, believed to support various health

Common Name: Ginger Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale Background • Ginger originates from tropical regions of Asia and is now widely cultivated in Africa, South America, and parts of the Middle East. The plant’s underground stem, known as the rhizome, is commonly used in cooking and for health-related purposes. • Historically, ginger has played a prominent role in traditional remedies. It has been used for centuries to manage conditions such as respiratory issues, colds, digestive

Understanding GERD and Complementary Treatments What’s the Bottom Line? If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms like heartburn or a burning sensation in your chest or throat, speak to your doctor. • Your provider may recommend a combination of medications and lifestyle adjustments based on your individual symptoms. • If you’ve been diagnosed with GERD, talk with your doctor before using any additional complementary remedies or therapies. How Well Do Complementary Methods Work for GERD? New

Common Name: garlic Scientific Name: Allium sativum Background • Garlic has been grown and used around the world for centuries. Historical records from civilizations like Egypt, India, and Greece document its application in cooking and in treating ailments such as digestive issues, respiratory infections, and headaches. • Today, garlic is often taken as a supplement for various health reasons including managing high cholesterol, regulating blood pressure and blood sugar levels, supporting the

Common Names: garcinia cambogia, garcinia, Malabar tamarind, brindle berry Scientific Name: Garcinia gummi-gutta Background • Garcinia cambogia is a tropical species native to regions of India and Southeast Asia, found primarily in moist, evergreen areas. Traditionally, its fruit has been brewed into teas in folk remedies to alleviate digestive discomfort and reduce inflammation. Additionally, its rind has been valued as a natural food preservative. • The rind of the fruit contains

Common Names: flaxseed, flax, linseed Scientific Name: Linum usitatissimum Background • Flaxseed has been used for centuries both for medicinal and practical reasons. First cultivated in regions around the Middle East, flax was later valued in ancient Egypt for producing linen, served in dishes in Ethiopia, and used as a laxative in Greece. Early European settlers in North America used flaxseed in poultices for minor wounds and burns, and its oil for making paint. • In modern times, flaxseed

Are you curious about what types of studies the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) or the broader National Institutes of Health (NIH) have supported in the field of complementary and integrative health? You can explore this information by using NIH RePORTER, an online resource available at reporter.nih.gov. This tool offers access to a vast database of research projects funded by the NIH. RePORTER received significant updates in 2020, bringing several improvements

Guide to Using PubMed for Complementary Health Topics Curious about what science says about a particular complementary or integrative health topic? You can search PubMed®, a government-run database with references to over 32 million biomedical research papers. A new and improved version of PubMed launched in 2020, allowing access via computer, tablet, or mobile device. This walkthrough demonstrates how to perform several types of searches. Follow along as we explore topics like: • A popular

What’s the Summary? What is known about complementary methods for managing fibromyalgia? Mind and Body Therapies • Practices such as tai chi, yoga, meditation, and biofeedback have shown some signs of benefit, but there’s not yet enough solid research to confirm just how effective they are. • There is still uncertainty about the effectiveness of acupuncture for managing fibromyalgia pain. • Some early research points to potential benefits of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in reducing

Common Names: Feverfew, bachelor's buttons, featherfew, European feverfew Scientific Names: Tanacetum parthenium, Chrysanthemum parthenium, Matricaria parthenium Background • Feverfew is a perennial herb with leaves similar to chrysanthemum and flowers that resemble daisies. • It originally grew in parts of western Asia and the Balkans but is now cultivated across the globe. • Traditionally, people have used feverfew to address issues such as breathing problems, digestive irregularities,

Common Name: Fenugreek Scientific Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum Background • Fenugreek is an herb with similarities to clover, found naturally in areas like the Mediterranean, southern Europe, and parts of western Asia. The seeds of this plant have a scent and taste reminiscent of maple syrup and have traditionally been used both in cooking and in traditional healing practices. Because of its flavor, it is commonly added to foods, beverages, and even tobacco for taste. • For thousands of

Eye Health and Dietary Supplements Visual impairments are a widespread issue in the United States, affecting over 3.4 million individuals aged 40 and above who suffer from blindness or diminished sight. Estimates point to approximately 21 million Americans experiencing visual difficulties and as many as 80 million having eye conditions that can lead to blindness. Some of the main culprits behind vision loss in older adults are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, and

Common Names: evening primrose oil, EPO Scientific Name: Oenothera biennis Background • Evening primrose is a flowering plant native to the Americas that also grows in Europe and parts of Asia. Its yellow blossoms open in the evening and close during daylight. The oil derived from its seeds is a source of omega-6 fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). • Indigenous peoples traditionally used sap from its stems and leaves for minor skin issues like rashes, bruises, and surface

Common Names: European mistletoe Scientific Name: Viscum album Background • European mistletoe is a plant that attaches itself to various trees like apple, oak, pine, and elm, drawing nutrients from its hosts. Unlike American mistletoe, which is commonly associated with festive traditions in the United States, European mistletoe has a different profile and usage. • Historically, European mistletoe has been part of herbal practices, used for symptoms ranging from seizures to headaches, and even

Approximately 30 million men in the United States experience erectile dysfunction (ED). If you’re affected, it’s important to speak with your doctor. There are established medical treatments available that might be beneficial for you. ED may also point to other health issues, such as problems with blood flow or nerve damage often linked to diabetes, which makes medical evaluation essential. Treatments proven to be effective for ED are only available through a licensed health care professional.

Common Names: Ephedra, Chinese ephedra, Ma Huang Botanical Name: Ephedra sinica Background • Ephedra is a small, evergreen plant known for its thin, jointed stems and small, scale-like leaves. It is most commonly sourced from the stems and branches of Ephedra sinica. • Traditionally used in countries such as China and India, ephedra has been utilized to help relieve symptoms like colds, fevers, headaches, nasal congestion, coughs, and breathing difficulties like wheezing. • In 2004, the U.S.

Energy drinks are often marketed as beverages that boost stamina, improve focus, and enhance physical output. Among dietary supplements, they rank just behind multivitamins in popularity with U.S. teenagers and young adults. Men aged 18 to 34 are the leading consumers, while nearly one in three teenagers between 12 and 17 years old report regular use of energy drinks. There are two general types of energy drinks. One is packaged like typical soft drinks, with sizes such as 16 ounces. The other

Common Names: elderberry, black elderberry, European elder, common elder Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra Background • Elderberry is a dark purple fruit that grows on the European black elder tree, which can be found in Europe, North America, parts of Asia, and North Africa. • Traditionally, elderberries have been used in herbal medicine to help manage symptoms of colds and the flu. • Nowadays, elderberry is marketed as a dietary supplement for respiratory illness. Although promoted for various