Botanical Supplement Fact Sheets

This collection of fact sheets and other resources from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) and other federal government sources provides information about dietary supplements and their ingredients. These include vitamins, minerals, herbs and botanicals, probiotics, and more. Many of these resources are available in versions written for health professionals and for consumers (in both English and Spanish).

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A

Acai
- Acai Berry
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Herbs at a Glance: Acai
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: acai, açaí, Amazonian palm berry.

Latin name: Euterpe oleracea.
Alfalfa
- Alfalfa
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Aloe vera
- Aloe Vera
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Aloe Vera
  - Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Common names: aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall
Latin names: Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis
Ashwagandha
- Ashwagandha: ¿Es útil para mejorar el estrés, la ansiedad y el sueño?
- Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? - Consumer
- Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep? - Health Professional
- Ashwagandha
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ashwagandha
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Ashwagandha: Does it work?
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
Astragalus
- Astragalus
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: astragalus, bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwanggi, milk vetch
Latin names: Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus mongholicus

B

Bacopa monnieri
- Bacopa monnieri: Is it safe to take in the military?
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
Bee pollen
- Bee pollen
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Berberine
- Berberine and Weight Loss: What You Need To Know
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Berberine
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
Bilberry
- Bilberry
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: bilberry, European blueberry, whortleberry, huckleberry
Latin name: Vaccinium myrtillus
Bitter orange
- Bitter Orange
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Bitter Orange for weight loss (see Weight Loss)
Common names: bitter orange, Seville orange, sour orange, zhi shi
Latin name: Citrus aurantium
Black cohosh
- Black Cohosh - Health Professional
- 2007 Black Cohosh Safety Workshop
- Black Cohosh
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Workshop on the Safety of Black Cohosh in Clinical Studies (2004)
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Botanical Dietary Supplements
- Botanical Dietary Supplements - Background Information
- Botanical Dietary Supplements - Suplementos dietéticos de origen botánico en español
- Herbs at a Glance
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Bromelain
- Bromelain
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: bromelain, pineapple extract

Latin name (for pineapple): Ananas comosus L.
Butterbur
- Butterbur
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Common names: butterbur, petasites and purple butterbur. Butterbur is also known under several patented standardized extract forms, such as Petadolex.

Latin names: Petasites hybridus (also known as Petasitidis hybridus, Petasites officinalis, or Tussilago hybrida).

C

Capsaicinoids
- Capsaicin and weight loss
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
Cat's claw
- Cat's Claw
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Cat's Claw (Uncaria guianensis)
Cesium
- Public Health Alert Concerning Dietary Supplements Containing Cesium Salts
  - Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Chamomile
- Chamomile
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Chasteberry
- Chasteberry
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Cinnamon
- Cinnamon
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Cranberry
- Cranberry
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

D

Dandelion
- Dandelion
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Deer velvet
- Deer antler velvet (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
- Deer velvet: Is it banned?
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense

E

Echinacea
- Echinacea
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Echinacea and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
- Echinacea and immune function (see Immune Function)
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Elderberry
- Elderberry
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Elderberry and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
- Elderberry and immune function (see Immune Function)
- Elderberry: A Dietary Supplement for Immune Health?
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
European Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Energy drinks
- The Use and Biology of Energy Drinks: Current Knowledge and Critical Gaps
- Energy Drinks
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Energy drinks and energy shots: What’s the problem?
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
“Energy” drinks are marketed as promoting alertness, concentration, energy, weight loss, athletic performance, or stamina.
Essiac/Flor-Essence
- Essiac/Flor-Essence
  - Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Evening primrose oil
- Evening Primrose Oil
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

F

Fenugreek
- Fenugreek
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)
Feverfew
- Feverfew
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Flaxseed
- Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)

G

Garlic
- Garlic
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Garlic and immune function (see Immune Function)
Garlic (Allium sativum)
Ginger
- Ginger
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginkgo
- Ginkgo
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Ginkgo
  - Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginseng
- Ginseng (American)
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ginseng (Asian)
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Ginseng (Siberian)
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ginseng and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
- Ginseng and immune function (see Immune Function)
- Ginseng for athletic performance (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Goldenseal
- Goldenseal
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Grape seed extract
- Grape Seed Extract
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Grape Seed Oil (seed extract of Vitis vinifera)
Green tea
- Green Tea
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Green tea for weight loss (see Weight Loss)
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Guar gum (see Weight Loss)

H

Hawthorn
- Hawthorn
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
Herbal Dietary Supplements
- Botanical Dietary Supplements - Background Information
- Herbs at a Glance
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Hoodia
- Hoodia
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Hoodia for weight loss (see Weight Loss)
Horse chestnut
- Horse Chestnut
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

K

Kava
- Kava
- Kava
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Kava (Piper methysticum)
Ketones
- Ketone supplements for performance
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense

L

Lavender
- Lavender
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Licorice root
- Licorice Root
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

M

Milk thistle
- Milk Thistle
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
Mistletoe
- Mistletoe
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Mistletoe Extracts (PDQ)
  - Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Mistletoe (Viscum album L.)
Mushrooms
- Mushrooms in dietary supplements
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
- Reishi mushroom
  - Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

N

Nitric oxide
- Nitric oxide supplements
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
Noni
- Noni
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

P

Passionflower
- Passionflower
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
PC-SPES
- PC-SPES
  - Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Peppermint oil
- Peppermint Oil
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Peppermint (Mentha ⨯ piperita)
Pomegranate
- Pomegranate
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Pregnancy
- Dietary Supplements and Life Stages: Pregnancy

R

Red clover
- Red Clover
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Rhodiola
- Rhodiola
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

S

Sage
- Sage
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Saw palmetto
- Saw Palmetto
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Soy
- Soy
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Soy: Effects on Health Outcomes
  - Source: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
Soy (Glycine max)
St. John's wort
- St. John's Wort
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- St. John's Wort and Depression
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

T

Tea
- Green Tea
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Tea
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Tea and tea catechins and immune function (see Immune Function)
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Thunder god vine
- Thunder God Vine
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Turmeric
- Turmeric
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

V

Valerian
- Valerian
- Valerian
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
Valerian (Valerian officinalis)

W

Weight Loss
- Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss - Consumer
- Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss - Health Professional
- Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss - Suplementos dietéticos para adelgazar en español
- Weight Control
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Weight-Loss Supplements: What You Should Know
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense

Y

Yohimbe
- Yohimbe
  - Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Yohimbe and yohimbine: What's the concern?
  - Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
- Yohimbe for weight loss (see Weight Loss)

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Botanical Supplement Fact Sheets

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General Supplement Information

Supplements for Specific Purposes