Herbals & Others
Herbals & Others
This section covers herbal and other supplements that are not essential nutrients, from omega-3 and probiotics to adaptogens like ashwagandha. Most have no Recommended Dietary Allowance, so we focus on what the evidence actually supports, safe use, and interactions, sourced conservatively from the NIH.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a family of polyunsaturated fats (ALA, EPA, and DHA) that form part of cell membranes and suppor
Herbals & OthersCoenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 is a fat-soluble compound made by the body and sold as a dietary supplement, with a well-established role i
Herbals & OthersProbiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, given in adequate amounts, may confer a health benefit on the host, most studie
Herbals & OthersMelatonin
Melatonin is a hormone the brain makes in response to darkness that helps time the body's 24-hour sleep-wake cycle, and
Herbals & OthersCreatine
Creatine is a compound the body makes and gets from meat and fish that helps supply muscles with energy for short, high-
Herbals & OthersCollagen
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the body, and supplemental collagen peptides show modest, still-inco
Herbals & OthersGlucosamine and Chondroitin
Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural components of joint cartilage sold as dietary supplements for osteoarthritis, bu
Herbals & OthersFiber
Dietary fiber is the indigestible part of plant foods; psyllium is a soluble, gel-forming fiber from Plantago ovata husk
Herbals & OthersLutein and Zeaxanthin
Lutein and zeaxanthin are dietary xanthophyll carotenoids that concentrate in the retina as macular pigment, and no Reco
Herbals & OthersCarnitine
Carnitine is a conditionally essential compound derived from amino acids that helps shuttle long-chain fatty acids into
Herbals & OthersAshwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an Ayurvedic adaptogenic herb studied mainly for stress, anxiety, and sleep, with no
Herbals & OthersTurmeric and Curcumin
Turmeric is a ginger-family spice whose main active compound, curcumin, is studied for osteoarthritis and other uses, bu
Herbals & OthersBlack Cohosh
Black cohosh is a North American herb marketed for menopausal symptoms, but the NIH ODS reports insufficient evidence th
Herbals & OthersValerian
Valerian is an herbal dietary supplement made from the roots of Valeriana officinalis and marketed as a mild sedative an
Herbals & OthersSaw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is a berry extract from the Serenoa repens palm marketed for urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but
Herbals & OthersGarlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a culinary bulb used as a dietary supplement that research suggests may modestly lower choles
Herbals & OthersGinkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is an herbal supplement made from the leaf of the ginkgo tree, promoted for memory and cognition, but NIH
Herbals & OthersAsian Ginseng
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a traditional adaptogenic herb whose root contains ginsenosides; NIH sources say short-
Herbals & OthersMilk Thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herbal supplement whose extract silymarin is promoted for liver support and blood
Herbals & OthersEchinacea
Echinacea is a North American flowering herb marketed as a dietary supplement for the common cold and other respiratory
Herbals & OthersElderberry
Elderberry is the dark purple fruit of the European elder tree (Sambucus nigra), sold as a supplement for colds and flu,
Herbals & OthersSt. John's Wort
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a flowering plant taken as a supplement, most often marketed for low mood, wit
Herbals & OthersGreen Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a concentrated botanical supplement whose main active catechin is EGCG, studied mostly for modest e
Herbals & OthersGinger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a culinary and herbal rhizome studied mainly for nausea and vomiting, with research sugg
Herbals & OthersCranberry
Cranberry is a botanical dietary supplement, promoted mainly for urinary tract health, whose proanthocyanidins may reduc
Herbals & OthersRhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a herbal supplement traditionally used for fatigue and stress, but NIH says there is not enough reliab
Herbals & OthersMultivitamin and Multimineral
A multivitamin/mineral (MVM) supplement combines many vitamins and minerals in a single product, and there is no standar
Herbals & OthersAntioxidant Supplements
Antioxidants are substances such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and other carotenoids that help regulate