5-HTP
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can be converted to serotonin in the body. It is often used for depression. It has less evidence
Ingredient Library
Our library provides in-depth reviews of ingredients commonly found in supplements. Each review contains information about the ingredient’s clinical applications, formulations, dosing and administration, adverse effects, and pharmacokinetics.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is used as an amino acid precursor to boost serotonin (scientifically known as 5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) levels.
Acai
People commonly use ashwagandha for anxiety, insomnia, and stress. It is also used for asthma, athletic performance, back pain, and
Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal has pores that can trap chemicals. It is commonly taken by mouth to treat some swallowed poisons. There
Alfalfa
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is an herb that some people consume as a source of calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron, and vitamins
Aloe Vera
Aloe is used topically (applied to the skin) and orally. Topical use of aloe is promoted for acne, psoriasis, lichen
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that is naturally found in the body and in many foods. It is often used
American Ginseng
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolis) is an herb that grows mainly in North America. It should not be confused with Asian
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is the fermented juice from crushed apples. It is used for various medical purposes, but there is
Arnica
Arnica is an herb sometimes used to flavor foods. It can be poisonous when consumed in larger amounts. Arnica gel
Ashwagandha
People commonly use ashwagandha for anxiety, insomnia, and stress. It is also used for asthma, athletic performance, back pain, and
Ashwagandha 2
Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. It is commonly used for stress. There is little
Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus, commonly known as astragalus, has been used as a medicinal remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for more
B. lactis
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) is a type of probiotic (“good” bacteria) that lives in the intestines. It produces
Bacillus Coagulans
Bacillus coagulans is used by some people as a type of “good” bacteria, similar to probiotics. It may be beneficial
Bacopa monnieri
Bacopa monnieri, commonly known as water hyssop, is a medicinal herb that has been used for hundreds of years in
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is flower pollen that collects on bees, which can be different for different flowers. It can also include
Belladonna
Belladonna is a plant that can be unsafe when consumed. It can cause seizures, breathing problems, and other serious effects.
Berberine
Berberine is a natural compound found in several plants, including goldenseal, Oregon grape, tree turmeric, and barberry. It has been
Berberine 2
Berberine is a chemical found in some plants like European barberry, goldenseal, goldthread, Oregon grape, phellodendron, and tree turmeric.
Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene (converted to vitamin A in the body) is found in many fruits, vegetables, and grains. It is used as
Bilberry
You’ve probably tried blueberries, cranberries, and even huckleberries—but have you ever heard of bilberries? Bilberries are part of the same
Biotin
Biotin is a vitamin found in foods like eggs, milk, and bananas. Biotin deficiency can cause thinning of hair and
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is a vine originally from India. People have used bitter melon fruit for many conditions, but
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is a herb that has been rising in popularity for supporting women’s hormonal health, enhancing female fertility, and
Black Psyllium
Black psyllium (Plantago arenaria) is effective for treating and preventing constipation. It should not be confused with blond or other
Black Seed
Black seed (Nigella sativa) is a flowering plant that has been used for over 2000 years. Today some people use
Black Tea
Black tea, made from aged leaves and stems of the Camellia sinensis plant, is likely effective for mental alertness. It
Blessed Thistle
Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a plant considered safe in common food amounts. As a tea, it has been used
Blond Psyllium
Blond psyllium (Plantago ovata) is an herb. Its seed husk is used as a laxative and stool softener for constipation
Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae are several species of bacteria. They can be a source of protein, but contain no more protein than
Blueberry
Blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) has edible fruit. Outside the United States, the term “blueberry” may be used for a plant called
Boron
Boron is an element. With little evidence, boron has been consumed for menstrual cramps and boric acid has been used
Boswellia serrata
Boswellia serrata is a branching tree and member of the Boswellia genus native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle
Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral that is commonly used to promote healthy bones and teeth. It is often found in
Calcium 2
Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, is found in some foods, added to others, present in some medicines
Calendula
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a plant known as pot marigold. It is not the same as ornamental marigolds of the
Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabidiol is a chemical in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as marijuana or hemp. One specific form of CBD
Capsicum
Capsicum, also known as red pepper or chili pepper, is an herb. Its fruit is commonly applied to the skin
Cascara Sagrada
Cascara sagrada (Frangula purshiana) is a shrub. The dried bark has some evidence as a laxative for constipation. It is
CBD
The origins and cultivation of the herbaceous plant Cannabis sativa L. can be traced back to ancient civilizations. (1) However,
Chaste Tree
First used more than 2,000 years ago by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, the chaste tree plant is known for
Chondroitin Sulfate
Chondroitin sulfate is a chemical found in human and animal cartilage. It is commonly used by mouth with glucosamine or
Chromium
Trivalent chromium is a trace element obtained from the diet and dietary supplements. It plays a key role in helping
Chromium v2
Chromium, as trivalent (+3) chromium, is a trace element that is naturally present in many foods and available as a
Cinnamon
The trees from which cinnamon is produced thrive in tropical and subtropical environments, where some grow large enough to be
Clove
Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) is a plant originally from Indonesia. Clove oil has been applied to the skin for a variety
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil comes from the nut (fruit) of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). It may be effective for eczema when
Coconut Water
Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts. Though used as a beverage and source of potassium, it has
Cod Liver Oil
Cod liver oil can be obtained from eating fresh cod liver or by taking supplements. It is a source of
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), otherwise known as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble, non-essential nutrient that plays an important role in free radical
Collagen
Collagen is used to form connective tissues, including skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, hair, and nails, and is built from
Collagen Peptides
Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed collagen) are made by breaking down collagen proteins into small pieces. They are commonly used for aging
Colloidal Silver
The therapeutic use of silver has a long and colorful history. The Greek physician Hippocrates used silver to treat ulcers
Creatine
Creatine is a chemical in human muscles and brain and in red meat and seafood. It is often used for
Deer Velvet
Deer velvet covers the bone and cartilage that grows into antlers. People have tried deer velvet for many reasons, but
Devil’s Claw
Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) is an herb. It has been used by mouth for back pain and arthritis, but there
DHEA
When it comes to hormones, testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol seem to get all the attention. But there’s another hormone that’s
DHEA 2
DHEA is a natural hormone. It may be effective for aging skin, depression, or fertility. Prescription DHEA is available to
Dong Quai
Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a plant that has been used for a variety of conditions, with little evidence. It
Echinacea
You’ve probably heard people recommend echinacea to boost the immune system and fight off the common cold. Also known as
Eleuthero
Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a woody shrub sometimes called Siberian ginseng. It is not true ginseng. It is sometimes used
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is considered safe in common food amounts. It has been consumed, chewed, and applied to the skin for many
Eucalyptus Oil
When you’ve got a stuffy nose, nothing brings relief quite as quickly as eucalyptus essential oil. Just a whiff or
Folate
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a
Folic Acid
Folate and folic acid are forms of vitamin B9 used for deficiency and to prevent pregnancy complications. Many foods contain
Fucus Vesiculosus
Fucus vesiculosus is a brown seaweed with little evidence of health benefits. It is possibly unsafe when consumed and should
GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, a chemical substance found in the nervous system of humans and other mammals.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a protein made from animal products. It is considered safe in common food amounts, but has little evidence
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Zingiber officinale, or ginger, is a well-known herb that is used globally for it’s flavor and remedial health effects. It
Ginkgo Biloba
Often referred to as a living fossil, the Ginkgo biloba tree dates back more than 100 million years, making it
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is found naturally in humans. It is sold in many forms as a supplement. The sulfate form has the
Goji
Goji (Lycium chinense; Lycium barbarum) is a shrub. The berries and root bark have been used for a variety of
Grape
Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca are two common grape species. The grape fruit seed extract may have benefit for poor
Grapefruit
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) is a citrus fruit. It has been used for weight loss. It has also been used for
Green Coffee
Green coffee (Coffea arabica; Coffea canephora) refers to unroasted coffee beans (fruit seeds). It contains more chlorogenic acid than roasted
Green Tea
Green tea, made of the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, first originated in Asia and is now grown in
Guarana
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a plant native to the Amazon. It is a common ingredient of energy drinks and can
Gymnema
Gymnema (Gymnema sylvestre) is a plant native to India and Africa with a history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. It
Hemp Seeds
Within the last two decades, the cultivation of hemp seeds has seen a resurgence in North America. Today, thanks to
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus sabdariffa is a plant considered safe in common food amounts. As a tea, it may be beneficial for high
Honey
Over one million tons of honey is produced annually worldwide. (8) Beyond its use as a sugar alternative, there are
Honey 2
Honey is a thick, sweet fluid produced by bees from plant nectars. It is commonly used as a sweetener in
Hops
Hops are the dried, flowering parts of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), commonly used in brewing beer. They have limited
Horny Goat Weed
Horny goat weed refers to various herb species of the Epimedium genus, and may be known as “yin yang huo.”
Horsetail
Horsetail refers to various plant species of the Equisetum genus. It may help reduce fluid retention, but can cause vitamin
Inositol
Inositol is a constituent of phospholipids in cellular membranes, a precursor of secondary messengers in metabolic pathways, a component of
Iodine
Iodine is a naturally occurring mineral required for thyroid hormone production and fetal growth and development.
Iodine 2
Iodine is a trace element that is naturally present in some foods, is added to some types of salt, and
Iron
Iron is a mineral that is an essential component of hemoglobin, a constituent of red blood cells that transports oxygen
Iron 2
Iron is a mineral that is naturally present in many foods, added to some food products, and available as a
L-Arginine
L-arginine, used interchangeably with arginine, is an amino acid involved in several processes in the body, including energy production, detoxification,
L-Arginine 2
L-arginine is an amino acid naturally found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. It is necessary for making proteins
L-theanine
L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is the most abundant (50%) water-soluble non-protein amino acid found in Camellia sinensis (tea) leaves. L-theanine synthesis occurs
L-Tryptophan
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid naturally found in red meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy. It must be consumed and
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) is a type of probiotic (“good” bacteria) found in the human gut, mouth, and vagina, and
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a medicinal herb native to Europe and a member of the mint family. (23) Rich
Lipase
Lipase helps in digesting fats. Humans produce digestive lipase in the pancreas. Over-the-counter lipase products have little evidence of health
Lutein
Lutein is a type of organic pigment called a carotenoid. It is related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Many people