Mental Health

Common Names: butterbur, petasites, purple butterbur Scientific Names: Petasites hybridus (also referred to as Petasites officinalis or Tussilago hybrida) Background • Butterbur is a perennial shrub found throughout Europe, as well as parts of Asia and North America. The plant earned its name due to the historical use of its wide leaves in wrapping butter during warm weather. In some cultures, the name translates to "rain hat" or "hat plant" based on the traditional use of

Common Names: bromelain, pineapple enzyme Scientific Name: Ananas comosus (pineapple plant) Background • Bromelain refers to a mix of protein-digesting enzymes mainly sourced from the stem and fruit of pineapple. • Pineapples have a long history of medicinal use in parts of Central and South America. • Today, bromelain is a popular supplement believed to support recovery from surgery, manage sinus inflammation, ease joint discomfort from arthritis, and lessen muscle soreness after intense

Boswellia Overview Other Names: boswellia, boswellia serrata, boswella, boswellin, frankincense Botanical Name: Boswellia serrata Background • Boswellia serrata is a tree found in the rocky hills and dry regions of northern Africa, India, and parts of the Middle East. • The plant's gum resin is used to produce boswellia extract, which may be taken by mouth or used on the skin. • In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, boswellia has long been used to address arthritis, reduce swelling and pain,

Why do athletes and bodybuilders use dietary supplements? Many athletes and bodybuilders turn to supplements in hopes of enhancing strength, endurance, and muscle size. Despite these goals, several of these products include potentially harmful substances. Additionally, some supplements like glutamine, choline, methoxyisoflavone, quercetin, zinc/magnesium aspartate, nitric oxide, and L-arginine have not been convincingly shown to boost physical performance. Which supplements are prohibited by

Common Names: black cohosh, bugbane, bugwort, black snakeroot, macrotys, rattleroot, rattleweed Scientific Names: Actaea racemosa, Cimicifuga racemosa Background • Black cohosh, belonging to the buttercup family, is native to North America. It was traditionally applied by Native American communities to manage issues such as kidney problems, fevers, throat pain, and menstrual discomfort. It has enjoyed a history of medicinal use in Germany since the late 1800s. • Today, black cohosh is marketed

Common Names: Bitter orange, Seville orange, sour orange, zhi shi Scientific Name: Citrus aurantium Background • Bitter orange originates from Southeast Asia. While the fruit is too tart to eat fresh, its peel, juice, and essential oils are often used in the culinary world, to flavor alcoholic drinks, and in fragrances. • It is commonly marketed as a herbal supplement for weight loss, physical performance, and other health uses. The oil derived from it is also used in aromatherapy and on the

Common Names: Bilberry, European bilberry, whortleberry, huckleberry Scientific Name: Vaccinium myrtillus Background • Bilberry is a shrub native to the cooler regions of Europe, northern areas of the U.S., and parts of Canada. Its berries are dark blue and look similar to blueberries. Both its fruit and leaves have a history of medicinal use. • The fruit and leaves have been traditionally used for eye health, to manage blood sugar, and for heart-related conditions. During World War II,

What is Berberine? Berberine is a natural compound found in several plants, such as goldenseal, Oregon grape, and barberry. It has been traditionally used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for many years. Today, berberine is being explored for its potential to manage issues like infections, digestive problems, and skin conditions. More recently, research has turned toward its influence on blood sugar levels, heart health risks, and weight management. Can Berberine Help With Weight Loss? There

Making choices about your health care is a personal and significant matter—this includes deciding whether to try out complementary health approaches. These approaches can be grouped based on how the therapy is applied or experienced. They include: • Nutritional methods, such as special diets, supplements, herbal remedies, probiotics, and treatments involving microorganisms. • Psychological techniques, like meditation, hypnosis, music therapy, or relaxation practices. • Physical methods,

Is Ayurvedic Medicine Safe? Certain Ayurvedic products may include harmful levels of metals such as lead, mercury, or arsenic, which can be dangerous to health. Is Ayurvedic Medicine Effective? Some research suggests Ayurvedic approaches might relieve pain and improve mobility for people with osteoarthritis or assist in managing type 2 diabetes symptoms. However, these studies tend to be small or lack strong design, so more solid scientific evidence is needed to confirm effectiveness for other

Autism Spectrum Disorder Overview Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that impacts approximately 1 in 36 children and around 2.21% of adults. It is typically characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, along with repetitive behaviors and intense, focused interests. Some individuals with ASD may experience challenges with language or intellectual development, and many are sensitive to sensory input such as light, sound, textures, tastes, or

Research suggests that around 8 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 17 in the United States, as well as 4 percent of adults, are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Boys are about two and a half times more likely than girls to receive a diagnosis. Standard treatments, including behavioral therapy and medications, have been effective in alleviating symptoms for most individuals. Stimulant medications, which are most commonly prescribed, positively impact 70

Common Names: astragale, licorice-leaf astragalus, beg kei, milk vetch, Huang Qi Latin Name: Astragalus membranaceus Background • Astragalus is a flowering plant whose root has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, often as part of herbal combinations. • The root is classified as an adaptogen—a natural product thought to help the body manage physical and emotional stress. • It’s marketed in supplements claiming to support treatment for various conditions like respiratory infections,

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Common Names: Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, red ginseng, white ginseng, ginseng root Scientific Name: Panax ginseng Background • Originating in East Asia, specifically Korea, northeastern China, and parts of eastern Russia, Asian ginseng has long been valued in traditional Chinese medicine. It is often used to support body balance and stress adaptation (as an adaptogen). • This species of ginseng is distinct, and terms like “red ginseng” and “white ginseng” describe how the

Common Names: Ashwagandha, Indian Ginseng Scientific Name: Withania somnifera Background • Ashwagandha is a small, woody shrub native to regions of India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. It contains a variety of active compounds, especially withanolides, which are believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. • This plant has been a part of traditional Ayurvedic practices for centuries, being used to support overall health and vitality. • In modern times, supplements made

Aromatherapy involves the use of natural plant oils—commonly extracted from flowers, herbs, and trees—as a complementary practice to promote well-being. These essential oils are typically absorbed through inhalation or applied to the skin in a diluted form. Widely used essential oils in aromatherapy include lavender, tea tree, lemon, cedarwood, Roman chamomile, geranium, ginger, and bergamot. Although aromatherapy is sometimes used to support sleep, especially for those experiencing insomnia,

Millions of people across the United States turn to complementary health methods to support their well-being. As with any decisions regarding your health, it's vital to evaluate your choices carefully. This guide has been created by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) to help you make informed decisions about using complementary health products and practices. Take Control of Your Health • Educate yourself. Investigate what research or evidence exists about

What’s the Bottom Line? What Do We Know About the Effectiveness of Complementary Approaches for Anxiety? • Research is steadily increasing on how integrative methods might ease anxiety, whether it's everyday stress or clinical anxiety conditions. Some techniques may also assist during high-stress medical scenarios. • Approaches like yoga have shown beneficial effects on anxiety symptoms, though results for anxiety disorders remain uncertain and require further confirmation through rigorous

.header_greentext { color: green!important; font-size: 24px!important; font-weight: 500!important; } What Are Antioxidants? The body naturally produces reactive molecules containing oxygen during normal cellular activity. When produced in excess, these molecules can cause oxidative stress, potentially harming cells and increasing the risk of chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. While the body has systems in place to control this process, antioxidant enzymes play a key role in